REBT Steps
REBT involves some basic steps that will be an important part of the therapeutic process, including identifying irrational beliefs and thoughts patterns, challenging irrational beliefs and recognizing irrational beliefs and thought patterns.
Identifying Irrational Beliefs & Thought Patterns
The first step is to identify irrational beliefs and patterns of thinking that lead to negative outcomes. This part may be difficult initially, as the person who is undergoing REBT will probably not be used to seeing their irrational beliefs as such. Identifying beliefs can also be more difficult than identifying feelings or events, and multiple therapy sessions may be necessary for the therapist to understand a client’s underlying beliefs.
Challenging Irrational Beliefs
Once the irrational beliefs are identified in the assessment step of REBT, disputing irrational beliefs will be next. This process involves both introspective insights from the client and guided external input from the therapist. The goal is not to tell the person undergoing therapy that their beliefs are incorrect, but to help them figure out for themselves that their harmful beliefs are not rational or useful.
Recognizing Irrational Beliefs & Thought Patterns
Once underlying irrational beliefs have been challenged, therapy focuses on helping the person seeking therapy recognize irrational beliefs or thought patterns as they arise. While they may understand the illogical beliefs they had prior to therapy, it will be important for them to recognize patterns and irrational beliefs that may develop later. Otherwise, they would need REBT the next time that an activating event occurred.