Rational Emotive Therapy

This type of therapy is very similar to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but it takes a slightly more abstract approach. In fact, it can be said that Rational Emotive Therapy was a precursor to Cognitive Behavioral, and RT did show up on the scene about ten years prior to Aaron Beck's formulation. Thus, there are not a lot of dissimilarities between the two. Here, we will try to highlight exactly what the differences are.

Dr. Ellis writes, "'Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.' Shakespeare, many centuries later, rephrased this thought in Hamlet: “There’s nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.'”

So we can immediately see the parallels between this and Cognitive Therapy in that we are primarily dealing with the way that we think about, frame, and perceive the world around us. And when this perception becomes distorted towards the negative, it is then that we find ourselves beginning the development of mental health problems.

To further quote Dr. Ellis, "REBT assumes that human thinking, emotion, and action are not really separate or disparate processes, but that they all significantly overlap and are rarely experienced in a pure state. Much of what we call emotion is nothing more nor less than a certain kind — a biased, prejudiced, or strongly evaluative kind — of thought. But emotions and behaviors significantly influence and affect thinking, just as thinking influences emotions and behaviors."

Where Rational Emotive Therapy differs is in the nature of the theory. This type of therapy is a much more involved and philosophical approach that places a premium on a client's thorough understanding of themselves. As such, it takes a client with above average intellectual wherewithal to grasp the sometimes difficult and abstract constructs that comprises this approach. To contrast, Cognitive Behavioral takes a more practical and simplistic approach to identifying problems and associated patterns of behavior that can be ameliorated, and it can be argued that this modality is more easily understood by clients.

Both types of therapies are very well researched and have been consistently shown to have significant therapeutic benefit. Most therapists nowadays will consider themselves to be "eclectic" and cherry pick the best part of each type of therapy to formulate a therapy driven by their own tastes and ideals. This is actually optimal, because it allows for the therapist to maximize their own abilities, which in turn maximizes a client's potential for change.

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