Walter J. Matweychuk, Ph.D. REBT is a philosophically based psychotherapy. In my view, it is more than an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy. It is an outlook on life. Said another way, REBT is a philosophy of life aimed at facilitating psychological health, resilience, satisfaction, happiness, and meaning. The philosophical elements of REBT add to its potency. Although it is essential to … Read more
REBT is a liberating philosophy and a form of psychotherapy. One of the most liberating things REBT can do for you is to help you overcome your fear of other people. I am talking about assertiveness with your fellow humans. In my clinical work and personal life, I am struck by how humans fear other … Read more
In 1965, Albert Ellis began to hold weekly public demonstrations of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy which he called Friday Night Workshops. For a nominal fee, he would open the doors of his Upper East Side townhousetraining centerclinic and welcome the public to witness him doing a new, active form of rational therapy. He would take a … Read more
Remember to apply the ABC model to any negative state affairs you encounter today. Before you unpack your emotional upset, pause and take a deep breath through your nose and exhale your breath slowly out through your mouth. Make this your first act when you encounter adversity. Then break down the emotional episode by identifying: (A) Adversity: The negative state … Read more
People ask me to help them with their avoidance behavior. There are many different unhealthy reasons someone may put off doing what would be good for them to do now rather than later. Today I will address only one of those reasons. Still, this reason is sufficiently present that I suspect many will profit from … Read more
In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, we encourage the adoption of unconditional self-acceptance and unconditional life acceptance. With these powerful ideas, we can acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses and the good and bad aspects of life and choose a healthy view of ourselves and life. When it comes to aging, we can apply both unconditional self-acceptance … Read more
Do you know anyone who takes themselves too seriously? Be honest. Might you be one of those who display their human fallibility in this off-putting way? Perhaps you do not do this consistently but fall prey to this psychological state from time to time in the presence of some people you are threatened by or … Read more
Thirty-four years ago, at the end of my interview for gaining entry into the REBT training fellowship, Albert Ellis asked me if I had any questions for him. I then asked, “What is the weakest aspect of REBT?” In asking this question, I exposed my youthful grandiosity. My master plan was to attempt to improve upon his … Read more
REBT is a parsimonious philosophy, but as leading REBT psychologist, Dr. Windy Dryden has written, “REBT is simple, but not simplistic.” No concise sentence or paragraph captures the totality of this powerful philosophy. Different ways of explaining REBT can emerge from a deep and accurate understanding of REBT philosophy. Because REBT is parsimonious, it is tempting to … Read more
Albert Ellis, the originator of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, argued that the best practitioners of REBT were those who did not merely see it as a technique to be applied only to one’s clinical work with patients. Instead, he argued that the best practitioners of REBT used it routinely in their own lives. It is … Read more
