Developed by Albert Ellis in 1955, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is an actioned-oriented approach to managing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disturbances. REBT holds that our way of thinking leads to emotional and behavioral upset. With a focus on current thinking, REBT guides individuals in examining and challenging the negative thinking that creates unhealthy emotions and maladaptive or self-defeating behaviors.
At Harmony Hills, rational emotive behavior therapy is but one of the numerous evidence-based treatment modalities we utilize in our mental health treatment programs. Our individualized, client-centered approach to treating mental health and co-occurring disorders has helped countless clients achieve long-term recovery. Contact us at 855.494.0357 to learn more about REBT.
What Is REBT?
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that holds that our thinking, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. Many people tend to identify outside forces (people or events) as the cause of their feelings and resulting behaviors. The main goal of REBT is to help us understand that it is not outside forces but our thinking and beliefs that cause negative emotions such as anxiety and anger. Through REBT, clients learn to challenge and change the irrational beliefs that keep them unhappy.
To better understand how REBT works, Ellis created the ABCs of REBT:
- A is the activating event or situation that triggers your adverse reaction or response
- B is the belief or irrational thought you have about the event or situation
- C is the consequence or emotional response to your belief or irrational thought
For example, if you are stuck in traffic and running late (A), you get anxious because everyone will think you are irresponsible since you are late (B), so you start beeping your horn and yelling at other drivers ( C). Your belief that others will think you are irresponsible is what makes you anxious, not being stuck in traffic.
What Are the Benefits of REBT for Mental Health Treatment?
REBT helps people deal with the irrational beliefs that lead a person to suffer from negative emotions and engage in self-destructive behaviors. Some of the benefits of REBT for mental health treatment include:
- Gaining insight
- Decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and anger
- Developing a more positive outlook
- Improved self-esteem and self-acceptance
- Replacing self-defeating thinking with supportive thinking
- Self-empowerment
- Improved health and better quality of life
REBT has a wide range of applications and is an evidence-based therapy that has been proven effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Eating disorders
- Phobias
REBT can also address job burnout, stress, procrastination, sports anxiety, aggression, anger management, and sleep problems. REBT can be an unsettling process. Facing irrational thought patterns can be challenging, and it is not always easy to accept long-held beliefs as unhealthy. Letting go of these long-held beliefs can be even more difficult.
Discover the Benefits of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy at Harmony Hills
If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health disorder, Harmony Hills can help. Our highly-skilled, compassionate, multidisciplinary treatment team provides high-quality care in a safe, supportive environment. In addition to rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), we offer an abundance of evidence-based treatment modalities, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Trauma therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
At Harmony Hills, we know there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health treatment. We honor the individuality of our clients by providing treatment customized to meet their unique needs and treatment goals. We provide comprehensive treatment for a wide range of mental health disorders, including but not limited to:
- Anxiety disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Reach out to our team today to discover the benefits of REBT and other evidence-based therapies. Use our secure online form or call 855.494.0357.
