Adjunct Professor, Licensed MHC: New York; Licensed Psychologist: Australia. Columbia University TC New York, New York
In considering the theme of this conference, the immeasurable contributions of my husband, the brilliant genius Albert Ellis, in shaking up the therapeutic community of his time by heralding in the cognitive revolution in psychotherapy with his approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) are powerfully relevant! His approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy vigorously encourages individuals to act in ways that creates wellbeing within themselves, and also encourages them to serve other people, their immediate communities, society and world. REBT vigorously encourages people to think in pragmatic, rational, realistic and optimistic ways, to embrace a holistic way of life, to practice daily gratitude, and to work on having greater unconditional acceptance of self, others and life. REBT asserts that during times of unanticipated challenges, such as the pandemic, and other crises and emergencies, many people can tend to catastrophize and create debilitating emotions that include anxiety, despondency and rage. Regrettably many of those people may not be aware that it is not the unpleasant or critical events that create such emotions, but their perceptions and beliefs about the crises and events that do so. REBT also asserts that many personal and social evils stem from intolerance, bigotry, absolutism, rigidity, and fanaticism. REBT teaches people how to think in ways that can create stability and calm when challenges arise, and offers clear techniques and tools that can be applied in order to help them change above-mentioned toxic and self defeating attitudes, unhealthy emotions and unhelpful tendencies. In this mini-workshop, I will share the main principles and techniques of REBT, highlight REBT aspects that empower people to create healthy emotions during times of challenge and crisis and that can create stability and tranquility despite and including whatever hardships may be taking place on an individual, local or global level. I will also give a live demonstration of REBT with a volunteer, and include time for Q & A.
Outline: (i) Introductory comments about Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and its creator: Dr. Albert Ellis. (ii) The Basics of REBT, including the differences between the healthy and unhealthy negative emotions and the distinct qualities of irrational thinking vs those of rational thinking. (iii) Live Demonstration of REBT with Volunteer. (iv) Tools and Techniques of REBT. (v) Unique Qualities of REBT. (vi) The History and Development of REBT. (vii) Question and Answer Time.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:
Describe the main tenets and techniques of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
Define the difference between rational and irrational beliefs.
Distinguish and describe the difference between healthy negative emotions and unhealthy negative emotions.
Apply the Albert Ellis "A-B-C-D-E" self-help technique for reducing and preventing emotional disturbance.
Describe the main philosophical components of REBT.
Long-term Goal: Attendees will have learned, and/or have had reinforced, healthy attitudes, life-enhancing modes of thinking and helpful ways of behaving that enhance their everyday lives and prevent burn-out in “Healer, Heal Thyself” mode !
Long-term Goal: Attendees will gain greater skills for more effectively helping others by way of modelling mindful and enriching ways of living in addition to providing the effective REBT therapeutic tools and techniques that will be taught.
Long-term Goal: Attendees are likely to feel empowered by knowing and applying the REBT ‘’how-to’s’’ of creating their emotional destinies when challenges arise. In-so-doing they can provide greater encouragement and be models of stability for those they work with, and for those in their personal lives, despite and including life’s hassles and difficulties.