Albert Ellis Aaron Temkin Beck
(1913-2007) (1921-)
Judith Beck Donald Meichenbaum
(1954-) (1940-)
Founders:
Albert Ellis- Despite having several health problems as a child he lived a active and energetic life until he passed at the age of 93. He decides to become a psychologist because he could counsel people and enjoyed doing so. In early 1955 he developed an approach to psychotherapy and he called it rational emotional therapy, it is now known as rational emotional behavior therapy or (REBT). he greatly enjoyed teaching and working with REBT it was his passion and primary commitment in life. To a certain degree Ellis developed this approach as a method of dealing with his own problems during his youth.
Aaron Temkin Beck- had a happy childhood until the age of eight, when he was faced with a life-threatening illness. He developed some anxieties and fears related to blood, his health, and suffocation because of this sickness. He used his own experiences as a basis for understanding others and developing his cognitive theory. He graduated from Brown University and Yale School of Medicine. He joined the department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. He currently holds a position there as a University Professor. He has applied cognitive therapy to depression, generalized anxiety and panic disorders, suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse and several others. He also founded the Beck Institute, a research and training center.
Judith Beck- both of her parents were notable, her father (Beck, above) was known as the "father of cognitive therapy". Since a young girl Beck wanted to be an educator. She is able to break down complex subject material into easy to understand ideas. She studied education and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1994 she and her father opened the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy. She is currently the president of the institute. Beck travels the United States and abroad teaching Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
Donald Meichenbaum- born in new York City and attended City College of New York and received a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois. He conducted research and development of CBT at the University of Waterloo. He attributes the origins of CBT to his mother whom loved to tell stories. Meichenbaum ensures that the client takes credit for the changes they have achieved.
Goals of Therapy:
A general goal of this therapy is to teach clients how to separate the evaluation of their behaviors from the evaluation of themselves. Or in other words how to accept themselves in spite of their imperfections. The therapist leads the client to minimize emotional disturbances and self-defeating behaviors. This process relies heavily on the client and therapist setting realistic and self-enhancing therapeutic goals. A job the therapist must take on is to differ from unrealistic and realistic goals. A basic goal with this therapy is to dysfunctional behaviors into healthy behaviors. As clients become more apt to accept themselves they will be more likely to accept others. According to Ellis we have a tendency to rate or actions as good/bad and worthy/unworthy, as well as rate ourselves based on our performance.
Techniques:
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) generally starts with the clients feelings and then explores these feelings in connections with thoughts and behaviors. These therapist tend to use different modalities, such as Cognitive, imagery, emotive, and behavior. These therapists are encouraged to be flexible and creative in their use of methods. Now lets explore these four types mentioned above.
- Cognitive Methods: demonstrate to the client in a quick and direct manner. teaches clients how to self-statement they no longer believe. The most effective way to bring about lasting behavioral change is to change the clients way of thinking. The therapist must dispute the client's irrational beliefs. Clients must also do their homework. These assignments are a way of tracking down "shoulds"and "musts". Therapists also educate clients on the nature of their problems and how the treatment will proceed.
- Emotive Techniques: clients are taught the value of unconditional self-acceptance. even though they may not want to accept the behavior they must see themselves as worthy human beings. Therapists use rational emotive imagery (REI) this is where clients imagine the worst thing that could happen to them,and are shown how to replace that with healthy emotions. Humor is also important. Humor has cognitive and emotional benefits for change. Role playing can be helpful to help clients bring out behaviors and what they feel in certain situations. Another technique seen is shame attacking exercises. These exercises are aimed at increasing self-acceptance and mature responsibility.
- Behavioral Techniques: clients are given homework that carry out real life situations. These assignments are done systematically and recorded and analyzed. Clients are encouraged to desensitize themselves gradually to help out with the homework activities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoFNs-3r0Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds3wHkwiuCo
Key Concepts:
- View of Human Nature: Human beings are born with the potential for both rational and irrational thinking. REBT encourages people to accept themselves even though they will make mistakes.
- View of Emotional Disturbance: We learn irrational beliefs from significant others during childhood and then recreate these beliefs throughout our lifetime.
- A-B-C- Framework: central to the understanding the client's feelings, thoughts, activities, events, and behavior.(See example below)
http://www.abc-counselling.com/id126.html
http://harvestheart.tumblr.com/post/2617045471
Information cortesy of Gerald Corey - Theroy and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy 6th ED.
Photos courtesy of:
Photo of Albert Ellis: http://www.jimpoz.com/quotes/Speaker:Albert_Ellis
Photo of Aaron Beck : http://ipcs2009.blogspot.com/2009/05/artigo.html
Photo of Judith Beck: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=28542
Photo of Donald M.:http://www.psych.ualberta.ca/GCPWS/Meichenbaum/Images/Meichenbaum.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment