Created in the 1950s by the legendary Albert Ellis, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) teaches clients to challenge their irrational thinking. REBT is based on the simple idea that it is not external circumstances that make a person happy or unhappy, but rather internal thoughts about events or oneself. Thinking, feeling, and behavior are…

This is a discussion and evaluation of the views of the authors of the article "Post-September 11th Perspectives on Religion, Spirituality, and Philosophy in the Personal and Professional Lives of Selected REBT Cognoscenti." Several of the authors are shown to endorse most of the main principles and practices of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy…

Replies to Ken Wilber's critique of Albert Ellis'"Fanaticism that May Lead to a Nuclear Holocaust," which outlines some of the dangers of transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy. (Author)

The position that religious thought and spiritual values must be restored to psychology and that clinical-humanistic values are helping to undermine traditional morality is criticized. Commentators argue that human disturbance is largely associated with absolutistic thinking and that psychologists must submit all values to rational scrutiny. (CS)

This paper discusses three serious cognitive-emotive errors clients make when they are confronted with situations that block their important goals and how to act against self-defeating errors and move on to greater mental health and self-actualization. Three of the main ways in which clients think, feel, and act against their best interests are:…

Author's view on newer trends in the field which are giving rise to more comprehensive approach to personality theory and change. (Author/CJ)

People disturb themselves with irrational beliefs, some of which are obvious and blatant while others are subtle and tricky. The latter type make people more disturbed than do the former kind. Even when helped by the most efficient forms of psychotherapy, humans have difficulty achieving and maintaining good mental health. (Author/VM)

Reflects rational-emotive therapy (RET) in 1955 and discusses some of its recent constructivist and humanist theories and practice. Distinguishes between general RET, called synonymous with general cognitive-behavioral therapy, from preferential RET, called unique kind of cognitive therapy that partially overlaps with general cognitive-behavioral…

Discusses how Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) includes some basic postmodern ideas and can be practiced with important caveats and cautions that keep it open-ended, flexible, and relativist. Describes how REBT shows clients how their conscious and unconscious absolutistic philosophies lead to much of their dysfunctional feelings and…

If we define irrationality as thought, emotion, or behavior that leads to self-defeating consequences or that significantly interferes with the survival and happiness of the organism, we find that literally hundreds of major irrationalities exist in all societies and in virtually all humans in those societies. These irrationalities persist despite…

Considers some of the fanatical beliefs that may possibly lead to a nuclear holocaust in the not-too-distant future, shows how dangerous these ideas are, and suggests that one of the best ways to minimize this kind of absolutistic and dogmatic thinking is through the psycho-educational approach pioneered by scientific counseling and psychotherapy.…

Albert Ellis replies to critiques of his feature article. He answers each author specifically. (HMV)

Describes aspects of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). REBT shows how people can both create and uncreate many of their emotional disturbances. It is a theory of personality which avoids devotion to any kind of magic and supernaturalism and emphasizes unconditional self-acceptance, antiabsolutism, uncertainty, and human fallibility. (RJM)