Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Part of the bestselling Theories of Psychotherapy® Series from APA
This essential primer, amply illustrated with case examples featuring diverse clients, is perfect for graduate students studying theories of therapy and counseling, as well as for seasoned practitioners interested in understanding how rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) has evolved and how it might be used in their practice.
Created in the 1950s by the legendary Albert Ellis, rational emotive behavior therapy teaches clients to challenge their irrational thinking. REBT is based on the simple idea that it is not external circumstances that make a person happy or unhappy, but rather internal thoughts about events or oneself. Thinking, feeling, and behavior are seen as linked and influencing one another. Because changing one's thinking is usually the simplest tactic in a given situation, it tends to be the focus of therapy, alongside the humanistic core REBT philosophies of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance. Because changing one's thinking is usually the simplest tactic in a given situation, it tends to be the focus of therapy, alongside the humanistic core REBT philosophies of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.
This second edition includes updated clinical research as well as a thorough examination of the important distinctions between REBT and cognitive-behavior approaches.
Series Preface
How to Use This Book With APA Psychotherapy Videos
Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- History
- Theory
- The Therapy Process: Primary Change Mechanisms
- Evaluation
- Future Developments
- Summary
Glossary of Key Terms
Suggested Readings and Videos
References
Index
About the Authors
About the Series Editor
Albert Ellis, PhD, received his MA and PhD degrees in clinical psychology from Columbia University.
Dr. Ellis was chief psychologist of the state of New Jersey and adjunct professor at Rutgers and other universities. He practiced psychotherapy, marriage and family counseling, and sex therapy for more than 65 years.
He was the founder of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), the first of the cognitive behavior therapies, as well as the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City.
Albert Ellis died on July 24, 2007.
Debbie Joffe Ellis is a licensed psychologist (Australia) and a licensed mental health counselor (New York).
She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University Teachers College in the Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology.
She has a doctorate in alternative medicine from the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines in affiliation with the World Health Organization. She runs a private practice and delivers lectures, workshops, and seminars throughout the United States and the world.
Debbie lives in New York City.
Visit Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellisopens in new window and follow @drjoffeellis.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is the grandparent of the cognitive behavior therapies and remains the most philosophical and humanistic. This splendid overview includes transcripts, case studies, and anecdotes for those who are unacquainted with REBT, and a colorful account of its history for those who think they know it all.
—Stanley Krippner, PhD
Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Over Time
In Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Over Time, Ann Vernon demonstrates this influential approach, which seeks to help people change self-defeating thoughts so they can feel and behave in more effective ways.

