There have been many excellent publications on rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). special works, including several of our own (Bernard, 1991; Bernard & Wolfe, 1993; Dryden, 1994a, 1994b, 1995a, 1995b; Dryden & DiGiuseppe, 1990; Dryden & Hill, 1993; Dryden & Neenan, 1995; Ellis, 1985c, 1994c, 1996a; Ellis & Crieger, 1986; Walen, DiGiuseppe, & Dryden, 1992; Yankura & Dryden, 1990,1994). However, none of these books systematically describe the clinical applications of REBT, such as its use in individual, couples, family, group, and intensive therapy. Thus, until now there has been no work that systematically summarizes the procedure for conducting REBT.
We have previously published articles and monographs covering important aspects REBT practices (Dryden, 1985b; Ellis, 1971a, 1985c, 1993b), but some of these works are out of date and out of print. Therefore, in this work, we reviewed and modernized the material from previous years and added several chapters on new developments in REBT - in general, we tried to create a book that would provide a comprehensive picture of REBT. Such a presentation of the principles of REBT would allow any interested psychotherapist to more effectively use its basic clinical techniques.
This book does not cover all aspects of REBT. In some of the already mentioned publications, certain methods of using REBT are described in more detail, but here they are discussed only in passing. The same can be said about the use of REBT in psychological educational practice, for example, in courses, seminars and intensive rational-emotional behavioral training. However, practitioners wishing to use the most popular clinical methods of REBT will find in this book their most detailed description. We do not expect that this work will replace all other publications on REBT, but at the same time we hope that it will become a significant and useful addition to them .
Albert Ellis, PhD
WindyDryden, PhD
Preface
The book brought to your attention is the result of more than 50 years of development of cognitive-emotional behavioral psychotherapy. Undoubtedly, the main role the development of this method of non-medical psychotherapy belongs to Albert Ellis. Created by him and designed in detail new method psychotherapy has become widespread in the world and currently enjoys well-deserved recognition from both psychotherapists and their clients, as evidenced by the success of the Ellis Institute and the books written by him.
Albert Ellis was born in Pittsburgh in 1913 and grew up in New York. One way or another, all professional activity Ellis is connected with this city, which caused him a lot of trouble. Only a high degree of self-confidence and the ability to benefit from life's difficulties by rationally working through them and solving problems allowed Ellis to find a way to help other people overcome difficulties. Health problems in early childhood forced Ellis to change his activities from sports to reading; conflicts in the family (Ellis’s parents divorced when he was 12 years old) taught Ellis to be attentive to the inner world of a person and strive to understand other people.
Ellis initially planned to engage in literary activities. He wanted to major in economics so that by the age of 30 he could earn enough money for quiet literary work. Ellis graduated from New York University in 1934 and received a Master of Business Administration degree. Together with his brother, they founded their first enterprise. In 1938, Ellis received a position as head of personnel in a small company. In parallel with his work in business, Ellis was engaged in literary work; by the age of 28, he already had more than two dozen manuscripts that he could not publish anywhere. Wanting to somehow increase the attractiveness of his manuscripts to publishers, Ellis decided to write several works on sexual issues and began collecting materials for a book on sexual freedom. Because the collected materials Ellis discussed it widely with friends and came to be considered something of an expert on the subject. Many of his friends began to turn to Ellis for advice, and he found that he enjoyed counseling as much as literary creativity. Ellis recommitted himself to his education. In 1943, he received a master's degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University (New York). Already at this time he opened a private psychotherapeutic practice on family and sexual problems. In 1947, Ellis entered graduate school and decided to begin educational analysis in order to become a psychoanalyst a few years later. This turned out to be not an easy task, since most psychoanalytic institutes focused on psychologists with doctorates. Still, Ellis manages to find an analyst from Karen Horney's group who agrees to work with him. Ellis passed full analysis and began practicing as a classical psychoanalyst. In the 1940s, Ellis worked as a psychoanalyst in educational institutions and clinics, but his faith in psychoanalysis quickly collapsed. Using his experience as a consultant, Ellis began experimenting with more directive interventions than was customary in psychoanalysis. By 1955, Ellis had completely abandoned psychoanalysis and began to develop his own style psychotherapy, based on the analysis and change of beliefs and convictions of clients, their ideas about what is proper and necessary. Ellis's book How to Live with a Neurotic was published in 1957. Two years later, Ellis founded his Institute of Rational Emotive Therapy, where he began conducting consultations and seminars for psychotherapists. In 1960, his book “The Art and Science of Love” was published, which enjoyed great success.
Albert Ellis (September 27, 1913, Pittsburgh - July 24, 2007, New York) was an American psychologist and cognitive therapist.
Albert Ellis grew up as the eldest child of a Jewish family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his parents emigrated from Russia in 1910. His parents moved to New York and divorced when the boy was 12 years old. Ellis's entire future life is connected with this city. He graduated from the city university (bachelor's degree in business) and after graduation tried for some time to engage in business and literary work, but soon became interested in psychology. At the end of the 30s. He entered the department of clinical psychology at Columbia University (Master's degree in 1943), defended his dissertation (Ph.D., 1946) and received additional psychoanalytic training at the Karen Horney Institute. Ellis was significantly influenced by Karen Horney, as well as Alfred Adler, Erich Fromm and Harry Sullivan, but by the mid-1950s he became disillusioned with psychoanalysis and began developing his own approach. In 1955, this approach was called rational therapy.
Author of rational emotive behavior therapy, an approach to psychotherapy that considers negative emotions and dysfunctional behavioral reactions as appearing not as a result of experience in itself, but as a result of the interpretation of this experience, that is, as a result of incorrect cognitive attitudes - irrational beliefs (English “irrational beliefs” - see ABC Model (psychotherapy)). He was also known as a sexologist and one of the ideologists of the sexual revolution.
Ellis founded and until recently headed the Albert Ellis Institute in New York, until the organization's board removed him from his position. Albert Ellis, despite being completely deaf, continued to actively work independently. On January 30, 2006, a New York court decided that his removal from office was illegal.
About the author in the encyclopediaReviews about the author "Ellis Albert"
The book begins by reviewing the general therapeutic model of rational-emotive behavior therapy and then describes its various therapeutic modalities, including individual, couples, family, and sex therapy.
The book is replete with real examples from practice illustrating the use of REBT in different conditions, and is intended for clinical psychologists and counselors, as well as for anyone who, by the nature of their work, helps people and is interested in therapy.
Psychology is one of the most popular fields of study over the past few decades. This is not surprising - after all, many want to understand the strings of human consciousness. The only problem is that the majority cannot even understand themselves. These were the people Albert Ellis saw as his audience. The books of this person help you overcome internal barriers and begin to get out of the complex confusion of your consciousness.
A little history
Albert Ellis was born in the fall of 1913 and, having lived 93 years, died in the summer of 2007. He is an American psychologist and cognitive therapist. Initially, Albert tried to do business, and then - literary work. But he soon realized that his calling was psychology. In 1943, he received a master's degree in the department of clinical psychology. In 1946, he defended his dissertation, and then underwent additional psychoanalytic training.
Ellis was initially heavily influenced by Karen Horney, Erich Fromm, and Harry Sullivan. But by the mid-50s he became disillusioned with psychoanalysis. Albert Ellis is known as a sexologist and ideologist of the sexual revolution. He was busy creating his own approach to solving problems. In 1955, his work was called rational-emotive behavior therapy. Let's look at what it is.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
She views dysfunctional behavioral responses and negative emotions as a result of the interpretation of experience (rather than due to its occurrence). That is, the emphasis here is on incorrect cognitive attitudes - irrational beliefs. All this was designed by Albert Ellis. Rational-emotive therapy in its theoretical part contains quite a lot of references to family ties with many areas of psychology.
This can be judged in more detail by reading the contents of Ellis's books. A brief overview of them will be posted below. This psychologist created and headed the Albert Ellis Institute, in which he did not stop active work throughout his life.
Humanistic psychotherapy
According to this theory, people tend to construct illogical, irrational thought combinations. In the framework this is called mystical thinking. In the book, Albert Ellis argues that all the problems that a person can “boast” are the result of this approach of people to their own lives. The problems and neuroses that arise in us, according to this book, are the result of the numerous use of “shoulds,” “shoulds,” and “shoulds.”
Of course, every person faces real problems. It’s just that the exorbitant heaviness and horror that accompany the experience are illusory and fictitious demons. Everything can be controlled by a person. It influences emotional reactions, feelings and behavior. Since, due to imperfect thinking, a person involuntarily begins to suffer, he can force himself to stop suffering in exactly the same way.
The practice of rational emotive behavior therapy
He co-wrote this book with Windy Dryden. It begins by first considering the general therapeutic model. Its various modalities (such as individual, marital, familial and sexual) are then described. The book contains a lot real examples from practice that illustrate the possibilities of application in real life.
Its main purpose is to help with work clinical psychologists and consultants. Although it will also be useful for those who simply want to help people and are interested in rational-emotive therapy. But the third book discussed in the article is considered the most important work.
Psychotraining using the Albert Ellis method
It is intended for a wide audience. Its main message is that you should never give in to the temptation to become unhappy. This simple idea is supported by a clear program of action in many different situations (among which there are very relevant and complex ones, such as death loved one, job loss and a number of other similar cases). Albert Ellis actively promoted all this to the masses. Psychotraining using his method helped me return to happy life thousands of patients. He will be able to provide qualified and quick assistance to any person (if he, of course, shows persistence in this matter).
A significant number of techniques that are published in this book were placed in the public domain for the first time. It should be noted that the work is written in living language - the author seems to be conducting a dialogue with his reader, discussing with him certain nuances. And this continues throughout the book. Of course, some may get tired of this, but from my own feelings I can say that the book is read in one breath. It is not surprising that this is Albert Ellis's most famous work.
Conclusion
If you want to better understand yourself and other people, then self-education is a useful direction. It will help in many ways life situations, and psychology is no exception here. But it must be taken into account that empty space nothing will work out. It will be necessary to highlight your own time at least enough to read a book. And it can take weeks, months, and in rare cases years to implement the methods and completely overcome the problems. This is what Albert Ellis and his works are all about. We advise you to read these works in order to successfully apply them in your life.
