Walter J. Matweychuk, Ph.D.

Life is a never-ending series of problems. Like leaves floating down a stream, as soon as one problem is behind you, it is not long before you face a new adversity. My loving mother often told me as a child, “Sometimes when it rains, it pours,” and encouraged me to accept the challenge and cultivate the skill … Read more

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a system of ideas you can apply to achieve desired emotional and behavioral change. Long-term goals that aim to boost life satisfaction require effort sustained over time. I like to think of sustained effort over time as the power of perseverance. Achieving a long-term goal is a process. One needs to … Read more

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. Pablo Picasso  In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), we encourage people to risk failing at goals and dreams. In many ways, it is good to fail. When we fail, we have attempted to do something that … Read more

I made a prosperous voyage when I suffered a shipwreck. Zeno of Citium youtu.be/0QI_tzaiJRI?si=JTIQdBduBuLCoGlU Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, REBT, is a system of ideas aimed at helping you bear adversity. REBT encourages you to change what you can as you see fit, but sadly, there is much in life you cannot change. The philosophical solution … Read more

Keep reminding yourself of this simple insight from REBT: I am too smart to anger myself. I have had my eyes opened to the fact that life conditions and other people’s actions do not have to conform to my wishes. I will choose to feel deeply disappointed and move on.

I often describe Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) as a system of ideas for facing life’s most difficult challenges. It is a philosophy of life and a distinct form of cognitive behavior therapy. I wish to highlight the integration and synergistic effect of particular core concepts of REBT. In addition to writing about how these … Read more

My clinical experience has demonstrated that more than psychological insight is needed for you to make real change. Even REBT insight, which is more focused and efficiently achieved than the insights of other psychotherapies, must be augmented for fundamental emotional and behavioral change. You must actively engage with your self-defeating rigid and extreme attitudes to … Read more

There is a podcast I recently came across titled We Regret to Inform You. Each episode tells the story of someone who has triumphed over rejection. One episode I found particularly interesting focused on the rise of Lady Gaga. It chronicles her hardship as she went from someone her peers bullied to a music icon. Rejection is … Read more

My goal in these Intermittent Reinforcement emails is to help people deepen their understanding of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to use it to better their lives. REBT is a well-woven system of ideas that Dr. Albert Ellis constructed by combining his vast knowledge of ancient and modern philosophy with his clinical experience working with patients … Read more

The brave own the world. – German Proverb I made a conscious decision that I wasn’t going to be dependent on being liked. – Bjork I reflect on REBT’s application to various problems in these weekly emails. This week it occurred to me that interpersonal fear and shame are a problem for nearly all people … Read more