Rational Thinking About Money

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) developed in a real-world clinical setting. Ellis based his therapy on timeless philosophical ideas. Because of its roots in philosophy, it applies to a broad range of human problems and dilemmas. The rational pursuit and use of money is the subject of this email. Due to space limitations, I will … Read more

How to Accept What You Cannot Change

You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. – Seneca ​In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, we encourage people to accept what they cannot change. Acceptance is a difficult thing to teach to another. Family, friends, and psychotherapists often prescribe it but poorly teach you how to attain a state of … Read more

Overcoming Procrastination with REBT

In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, we help people overcome their self-defeating tendency to procrastinate, also known as avoidance behavior. Nearly all humans do some procrastinating at some point in their lives. This avoidance is probably because all humans have a strong predisposition to remain comfortable in the short run and an inclination to rate themselves … Read more

Rational Ideas to Help Get Us Through the Holidays During a Pandemic

During this holiday session, many people find themselves in low spirits because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the losses, changes, restrictions, and social isolation it has caused. One reason I am an REBT psychotherapist is an assumption at the heart of the philosophy, which is that we can have some degree of happiness even when things … Read more

Idea #12 You Can Control Your Emotional Destiny

In 1956 Albert Ellis gave an important address at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. In this seminal address, he outlined twelve ideas that cause emotional disturbance and human misery. Until this time, Freud’s approach, and variants of orthodox Freudian theory, dominated psychotherapy. Ellis introduced a new paradigm that was to usher in … Read more

Idea #11 Human Happiness Is Not Likely to Be Achieved by Inertia and Inaction

In 1956 Albert Ellis gave an important address at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. In this seminal address, he outlined twelve ideas that cause emotional disturbance and human misery. Until this time, Freud’s approach, and variants of orthodox Freudian theory, dominated psychotherapy. Ellis introduced a new paradigm that was to usher in … Read more

Idea #10 – People Will Do What They Want, Not What You Want

In 1956 Albert Ellis gave an important address at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. In this seminal address, he outlined twelve ideas that cause emotional disturbance and human misery. Until this time, Freud’s approach, and variants of orthodox Freudian theory, dominated psychotherapy. Ellis introduced a new paradigm that was to usher in … Read more

Idea #9 – Acknowledge Your Past, But Refuse to Re-Traumatize Yourself About the Past

In 1956 Albert Ellis gave an important address at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. In this seminal address, he outlined twelve ideas that cause emotional disturbance and human misery. Until this time, Freud’s approach, and variants of orthodox Freudian theory, dominated psychotherapy. Ellis introduced a new paradigm that was to usher in … Read more