Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)

The ABC Model of Emotional Disturbance

Albert Ellis revolutionized psychotherapy by introducing a framework that dismantled the popular belief that external events directly cause our emotions. His model is structured into three sequential components.

The "A" represents the Activating Event, which is the actual situation, the objective fact occurring in reality or an internal experience.

The "C" symbolizes the emotional and behavioral Consequences experienced by the person.

Ellis' crucial contribution is the "B" (Beliefs or Belief System), which acts as the indispensable mediator.

It is not the event (A) that generates sadness or anger (C), but the interpretation or belief (B) that the individual has about that event.

If we change B, we will inevitably transform C, giving the individual the power to regulate his reactions.

Nature of Irrational Beliefs

At the core of pathology, according to TREC, are irrational beliefs.

These are defined as being rigid, absolutist, and inconsistent with empirical reality.

Ellis identified that these ideas usually interfere with the survival and happiness of the individual, generating self-destructive or sabotaging behaviors.

Unlike rational beliefs, which are expressed as preferences or desires ("I would like to pass"), irrational beliefs manifest themselves as unquestionable dogmas.

These philosophical distortions are the root of neurotic suffering and are kept active through a process of constant self-teaching, where the person repeats these false ideas to himself until he assumes them as absolute truths.

Classification of Absolutist Claims

Ellis categorized irrational beliefs into three major groups of dogmatic demands, known as the "must" and "have to".

Demands on oneself: "I must do things perfectly and win the approval of others, or else I am useless". This generates anxiety and depression.

Demands toward others: "Others must treat me with kindness and fairness; if they don't, they are worthless." This fuels anger and hostility.

Demands toward the world: "Living conditions must be comfortable and easy, if they are not, it is terrible and unbearable." This leads to low frustration tolerance and self-pity.

Identifying which of these categories the patient's thinking falls into is the first step to change.

Summary

Albert Ellis revolutionized therapy with his ABC model, demonstrating that external events (A) do not directly cause emotions (C), but that emotions depend on our beliefs (B).

At the core of the pathology are irrational beliefs, defined as rigid and dogmatic. These philosophical distortions interfere with happiness and generate self-destructive behaviors.

Ellis classified these demands into three absolutist groups: demands toward oneself, toward others, and toward the world. Identifying these dogmas is the initial step to change.