The client-therapist relationship in rational-emotive therapy

In this article, an analysis of rational-emotive therapy (RET) is made with particular attention to the client-therapist relationship as well as to the personal therapeutic style and influence of its founder, Albert Ellis, on patients in therapy. Features of RET and its practice by Albert Ellis which appear to foster the therapist-client relationship include: 1. varying therapy style depending on client characteristics; 2. persistently pointing out client's irrational thoughts as a way of demonstrating therapist's helping efforts; 3. successful completion by client of assigned homework; 4. therapy is focused on current, meaningful problems of client; 5. RET therapists' communication to client's of their own faith in the validity of RET therapy; 6. use by therapist of compliments about client's brightness, competence and likelihood of success in therapy. While RET may not be everybody's cup of tea (e.g., religious individuals), it does appear that the aspects noted above contribute to the fostering of a positive relationship in therapy and can be influential in producing positive outcomes in therapy. The present article is a condensed and updated version of a previously published chapter: Garfield, S.L., The client-therapist relationship in rational-emotive therapy. In M.E. Bernard & R. DiGiuseppe (Eds.),Inside rational-emotive therapy (pp. 113–134). San Francisco, CA: Academic Press.     

Albert Ellis and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: A Personal Reflection

This article provides an overview of the contributions to this special issue celebrating Dr. Albert Ellis and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Members of The Albert Ellis Institute’s International Training Standards and Policy Review Committeee (ITS-PRC) were invited to reflect on the personal and professional influences Dr. Ellis had on each of them. In addition, several of the contributors offer their praise as well as critiques of both Albert Ellis and his theory, as well as recommendations for future directions.     

Reflection on My 32 Years with Albert Ellis

In this article, I reflect on what I believe are Albert Ellis’ important contributions to the field of psychotherapy. Having worked closely with Albert Ellis for 32 years, I offer my opinions on some misconceptions of Albert Ellis.     

REBT: Past,Present and Future

In this article, I reflect on what I believe are Albert Ellis’ important contributions to the field of psychotherapy. Having worked closely with Albert Ellis for 32 years, I offer my opinions on some misconceptions of Albert Ellis.     

Putting the “B” in ret: It had to be

Editor's Note: The history of RET will show that in the early 1990s, Albert Ellis modified the name of his therapy to rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Ellis gives much of the credit and responsibility for the name change to Ray Corsini—the highly-regarded anthologist of modern-day systems of counseling and psychotherapy. Dr. Corsini was kind enough to contribute his own view as to why the name change was warranted. The lively debate concerning the inclusion of the word “behavior” in rational-emotive therapy will be taken up in the next issue ofJRECBT with reactions of Gerald Davison, Cyril Franks, Arnold Lazarus and Albert Ellis.     

Freud, Rogers, and Ellis: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis

Albert Ellis, Sigmund Freud, and Carl Rogers are widely recognized as the three most influential psychotherapists of the twentieth century. In the present article, it is argued that the striking differences in their therapeutic systems, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), psychoanalysis, and person-centered therapy, respectively, are rooted in more fundamental theoretical differences concerning the essential nature of client personality. The positions of Freud, Rogers, and Ellis on three critical issues in personality theory especially relevant for the practice of psychotherapy are examined and comparatively analyzed. The critical issues are: (1) nature vs. nurture as the foundations of personality; (2) the potency of reason in human behavior; and (3) the possibility of fundamental personality change. For each critical issue the treatment implications are also briefly explored with a view toward illustrating how the theorists' positions directly translate into therapeutic practice. The basic intent of this comparative analysis is to strengthen and further clarify the personality theory underlying REBT.     

The Albert Ellis Institute: Past,Present and Future

The Albert Ellis Institute founded in 1959 by Dr. Albert Ellis is the bedrock where Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) was born. During these 55 years the Institute has become the neuralgic center from where REBT develops and disseminates trough the affiliated international centers all over the world. Nowadays it is chartered by the University of the State of New York and it has a professional team directed by Dr. Kristene Doyle deeply committed to promote emotional health spreading REBT, a short-term therapy with long-term results. Dr. Kristene Doyle talks about her experience in the Institute under Dr. Ellis mentorship and also about the current activities in the Institute and the plans for the future.     

Post‐September 11th Perspectives on Religion,Spirituality, and Philosophy in the Personal and Professional Lives of Selected REBT Cognoscenti

The purpose of this article was for selected Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) cognoscenti to examine the impact of the events of September 11th, 2001, on their beliefs about religion, spirituality, and their personal philosophy—including the role of evil in the universe and the implications of these issues on their use of REBT. The degree of consistency of the authors' views with classical REBT theory and philosophy was examined. The authors are current or former members of the Albert Ellis Institute's International Training Standards and Policy Review Committee, of which Albert Ellis, REBT's founder, is also a member.     

Re: Views

Book reviewed in this article: Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Biofeedback Applications in Counseling and Education. David G. Danskin and Timothy J. Lowenstein Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Behavioral Interviewing With Couples. Phil Stockton and John Gottman Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Self-Control: Learning to C.A.R.E. for Yourself. Educational film written by Carl E. Thoresen; produced and directed by Don L. Sorensen Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Control Yourself. David R. Wheeler Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Positive Addiction. William Glasser Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Counseling Methods. John D. Krumboltz and Carl E. Thoresen Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Self-Directed Systematic Desensitization. Wes W. Wenrich, Harold H. Dawley, and Dale A. General Adventures in Therapy Part 2 The Growing Edge of Gestalt Therapy. Edward W. L. Smith, Editor Adventures in Therapy Part 2 The Passions: The Myth and Nature of Human Emotion. Robert C. Solomon Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Rational Emotional Therapy: Clinicians Guide and Rational Emotive Self-Help Techniques. Albert Ellis Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Rational Emotive Psychotherapy: An Interview. (#77517) Albert Ellis Adventures in Therapy Part 2 Rational Emotive Psychotherapy Applied to Groups. (#75518) Albert Ellis. Adventures in Therapy Part 2 A Demonstration With a Young Divorced Woman. (#77520) Adventures in Therapy Part 2 A Demonstration With an Elementary School Age Child. (#77519) Albert Ellis     

Unconventional Therapist: Albert Ellis

Albert Ellis is one of counseling's most prolific authors, having written more than 40 books and 500 articles, most on the topic of Rational Emotive Therapy (RET). As RET's progenitor, he has been a moving force in the current renaissance of interest in the cognitive behavior movement. In this interview Ellis discusses his theory and its application and aspects of his personal and family life.     

Dispute Irrational Beliefs and Teach Rational Beliefs: An Interview with Albert Ellis

In this interview, Ellis acknowledges that irrational beliefs have a higher biological basis than rational beliefs and that they are not at opposite ends of the same continuum. Ellis agrees that irrational beliefs are more involved in mental health problems while rational beliefs contribute to the psychology of success. The strength of conviction in both rational and irrational beliefs including self-acceptance and self-downing is explored. Ellis equates the conviction with which rational beliefs need to be held to influence emotions and behaviors with “faith.” He acknowledges the importance of faith built on facts rather than religiosity. Ellis agrees that ridding strongly motivated individuals of self-depreciation may lead to a decrease in their high frustration tolerance and, ultimately, their drive for and achievement of success. Ellis supports adding an “F” to the ABCDE model—forcefully agreeing with and applying new rational beliefs. Ellis discusses the need to develop a literature on therapeutic techniques and methods for helping people to apply rational beliefs more strongly to different areas of their lives. Ellis highlights the perils of self-efficacy positive psychology interventions if people’s innate tendency towards self-depreciation is ignored. The interviewer concludes the interview expressing the view that if we listen to Ellis, “we” need to re-think the ways we teach people of all ages to think rationally knowing that the rational re-statement of previously disputed irrational beliefs is only one of many different teaching methods. This interview was conducted in January, 2005, at the Albert Ellis Institute. At the time of the interview, Dr. Ellis was in good health. In this interview held over two separate sessions, a series of questions prepared by the interviewer were presented to Albert Ellis that were designed to stimulate discussion on differences between rational and irrational beliefs and on the issue of whether once irrational beliefs have been disputed, more time and REBT methods need to be devoted to helping clients strengthen their conviction in and application of rational beliefs.     

The transition from therapist to executive coach

A growing number of clinicians are making the transition from therapist to executive coach. High-powered executives are exceptionally receptive to the very straightforward and pragmatic approach of REBT. However, to be successful, even a REBT trained clinician had best adapt his approach to the executive client. The primary focus needs to be on more effective and efficient job performance, not on helping the client feel better. Although these executives believe many of the same irrational beliefs as one’s clinical clients, the REBT coach can effectively illustrate how each of these beliefs contributes to specific job related problems which the executive had best resolve. Teaching executives to challenge their ideas, then assigning work-related action plans, usually results in enhanced performance, which convinces even skeptical executives that coaching is a useful endeavor. Coaching has an advantage over therapy in that the coach can observe their client in numerous work situations (meetings, presentations, performance reviews) and give constructive feedback, and actually monitor additional progress. It is an exciting field that many clinicians find extremely challenging and stimulating. Dr. William D. Criddle, MBA is a managerial psychologist and executive coach in independent practice, based in Seattle, WA, USA. He is a Fellow of the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City.     

Basic Phenomena in Learning

Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., &; Martin, C. E. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1948. Pp. 804. Reviewed by Albert Ellis     

Albert Ellis' personal responses to the Survey of Rational-Emotive Therapists

This article presents Albert Ellis' personal responses to the Survey of Rational-Emotive Therapists and his answers to a number of questions that the first and second authors asked Ellis regarding some of his responses. Ellis also commented on how adequately he thought the results of the survey appeared to represent the current philosophies and practices of RET.     

Good moments in Rational-Emotive Therapy: Some unique features of this approach

Two independent teams of judges used a general category system of good moments and an RET category system of good moments, respectively, in assessing all client statements in two audiotaped sessions conducted by Dr. Albert Ellis. A comparison of the findings from using the two category systems identified four unique features of RET. The features involved (a) unique RET good moments given by the RET literature; (b) additional general categories of good moments that are also obtained by RET; (c) unique RET methods of obtaining insight-understanding; and (d) unique RET methods of promoting behavior change.Wayne P. Nadler, Irit Sterner, and Eran A. Talitman are members of the psychotherapy research team, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa. Patricia A. Gervaize, Ph.D., is clinical research psychologist, Ottawa Civic Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, as well as a member of the psychotherapy research team, University of Ottawa.     

Annual International Training in Rational-Emotive Therapy August 3-7 and 9-13, 1982 Elsinor,Denmark

Abstract

Faculty includes Dr Albert Ellis (USA), Dr Richard Wessler (USA) Dr René Diekstra (NL), Dr Dryden (GB), Dr Ray DiGiuseppe (USA).     

Managed Care and Pastoral Counseling: An Opportunity for Spiritual Growth

Managed care has forced changes on pastoral care. Among these changes are increased demand for and volume of clients. An appropriate response to this demand is for pastoral counselors to adopt a more short-term oriented treatment approach. While this approach has historically been at odds with the pastoral counseling movement, the authors argue that a combination of the therapies of Albert Adler and Albert Ellis provides a framework for addressing the needs of clients. Social Work at the