Walter J. Matweychuk, Ph.D.

Ellis’s REBT theory starts with the premise that humans possess two competing biologically inherited tendencies. The first and possibly more apparent tendency is to defeat our ends, upset ourselves, and fail to take the better path. The second tendency is to think scientifically and experience healthy emotional reactions, allowing us to solve practical problems, aiding … Read more

In REBT, I teach you to understand that once an undesirable occurrence occurs in life, the philosophically sound and most helpful way to think about it is that it (absolutely) should have happened because it did. It could not have occurred, but sadly, this adverse event did occur. Once an unwelcome set of circumstances unfolds, it is … Read more

In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, I teach people the power of flexible and non-extreme thinking. I teach you to use the ABC framework to understand your emotional and behavioral reactions and how to modify them when needed. There is little doubt that unfortunate events and obstacles referred to in REBT as Adversities factor into and … Read more

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy emphasizes three forms of acceptance: unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other acceptance, and unconditional life acceptance. It is essential to recognize the importance of cultivating unconditional life acceptance. Unconditional life acceptance may be the form of acceptance least spoken of in REBT. Unconditional life acceptance is the antidote for self-pity, depression, anger, and … Read more

People who develop their potential and enjoy healthy relationships with others are open to criticism. Constructive criticism is valuable for personal growth. Those who listen to it with an open mind and then learn from it tend to grow more fully than those who are closed off and defensive to assessments by others. Rejecting all … Read more

In my clinical work with my patients, I have seen that many people wish to become competent or experts at different tasks. Generally speaking, there are two groups of people. One group of people repeatedly do the very thing they wish to learn to do well. They try and fail, try and fail, and then … Read more

  Benjamin Franklin said, “Time waits for no one.” Everyone faces time-related challenges. Humans easily disturb themselves about time, making themselves less efficient in utilizing this precious resource. Failing to use your time well is self-defeating; upsetting yourself for wasting time leads to inefficient use of time, undermining your goals. Time only goes forward, and you do … Read more

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