What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT, first called Rational Therapy, later Rational Emotive Therapy, then in 1992 changed to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) was first introduced in 1955 by Dr. Albert Ellis.

Ellis, a trained psychoanalyst, had become increasingly frustrated with the ineffectiveness of psychotherapy. Ellis drew from his knowledge of philosophy and psychology to devise a method which was more directive, efficient, and effective.

REBT’s central premise is that events alone do not cause a person to feel depressed, enraged, or highly anxious. Rather, it is one’s beliefs about the events which contributes to unhealthy feelings and self defeating behaviors.

REBT teaches the client to identify, evaluate, dispute, and act against his or her irrational self defeating beliefs; thus helping the client to not only feel better but to get better.