Key Concepts

A-B-C Framework

View of Human Nature

A-B-C framework is central to REBT theory

and practice. This model provides a useful tool for
understanding the clients feeling, thoughts, events, and
behavior. A is the existence of a fact, an activating event,
or the behavior or attitude of an individual. C is the
emotional and behavioral consequence or reaction of the
individual; reaction can be either healthy or unhealthy. A
does not cause C. Instead, B, which is the persons belief
about A, largely causes C, the emotional reaction.

Rational emotive behavior therapy is based on

the assumption that human beings are born with a
potential for both rational, or straight thinking and
irrational, or crooked thinking. People have
predispositions for self preservation, happiness, thinking
and verbalizing, loving, communion with others, and
growth and self-actualization. They are also have
propensities for self destruction, avoidance of thought,
procrastination, endless repetition of mistakes,
superstition, intolerance, perfectionism and self-blame,
and avoidance of actualizing growth potentials.

The interaction of the various components can be

diagrammed like this:
A (Activating event)

View of Emotional Disturbance

REBT is based on the premise that although we
originally learn irrational beliefs from significant others
during childhood, we create irrational dogmas by
ourselves.
Ellis insists that blame is at the core of most
emotional disturbances. Therefore, to recover from a
neurosis or a personality disorder, we had better stop
blaming ourselves and others.
Here are three basic musts (or irrational beliefs) that we
internalize that inevitably lead to self-defeat.

I must do well and win the approval of others

for my performances or else I am no good
Other people must treat me considerately,
fairly, kindly, and in exactly the way I want them
treat me. If they are no good and they deserve to
be condemned and punished,
I must get what I want, when I want it; and I
must not get what I dont want. If I dont get
what I want, its terrible, and I cant stand it.

Although REBT encourages people to experience

healthy feelings of sadness over being unaccepted, it
attempts to help them find ways of overcoming
unhealthy feelings of depression, anxiety, hurt, loss of
self-worth, and hatred.

B (belief)
C (emotional and
behavioral consequence)

D (disputing intervention)

E (effect)
F (new feeling)

Cognitive Restructuring is a central technique of

cognitive therapy that teaches people how to improve
themselves by replacing faulty cognitions with
constructive beliefs. Restructuring involves helping
clients learn to monitor their self-talk, identify
maladaptive self-talk, and substitute adaptive self-talk
for their negative self-talk.

Prepared by:
Capuli, Pretsie-Ann M
CAS 06 601P