Cognitive-behavioral theory versus rational emotive behavioral theory

Cognitive-behavioral theory versus rational emotive behavioral theory

Aaron Beck first described Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and he established how an individual’s thoughts affect their attitude, feelings, and behavior. This form of psychotherapy, therefore, aims to demonstrate to clients how their thoughts influence their behavior and how to modify their thinking to attain the desired behavior and feelings. Albert Ellis described rational emotive behavioral therapy, and it is a form of active and directive psychotherapy that is based on the theory that humans are imperfect beings and are capable of rational and irrational thoughts that influences their emotions. REBT aims to enable clients to identify self-defeating thoughts and feelings.

Similarity

Both forms of psychotherapies are structured, and they employ the use of homework for their clients. They can both be used to manage depression, anxiety disorders, anger, and conduct disorders. They both necessitate the identification of the problem and the situations when the problem occurs. In addition, they employ similar techniques to their clients, such as cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, assertiveness, decision-making skills, and problem-solving skills. Also, they focus on the client’s thoughts to provide guidance and help in resolving the client’s problems.

Differences.

Despite the extensive similarities between CBT and REBT, there are quite some differences, for instance, CBT focuses mainly on the cognitive distortions that result in the unwanted behavior while REBT the main focus is the emotional disturbance and what is contributing to the cognitive distortion such as family, community and childhood practices rather than the distortion on its own. Secondly, in terms of self-acceptance, CBT will mainly focus on boosting the clients self-esteem by reinforcing on the positive attributes of the client which provides some form of a scale and if the client does not attain, it will result in low self-esteem, on the other hand, REBT offers a better solution when boosting a client self-esteem since it emphasizes on unconditional self-acceptance. Thirdly CBT will try to change negative thoughts and negative emotions while REBT will acknowledge that some of the negative emotions are helpful; for instance when someone feels sad after losing their loved one. In addition, when it comes to anger, CBT points out that some forms of anger are appropriate, and it’s healthy to experience them. On the contrary, REBT despises any forms of anger, and it aims at teaching clients on alternatives to anger, such as problem-solving. Also, REBT is more directive as compared to CBT as the counselor persuades the client to change their behavior while CBT allows the client to realize their faulty thoughts and change them without persuasions.

Choice.

I prefer to employ CBT in counseling since it allows the client to evaluate their negative thoughts and modify them to get the desired behavior. This approach is more likely to be sustained and be effective since the client has some sense of control, as this is mostly their initiative as opposed to REBT, where the client is directed. Also, CBT takes into account the therapeutic relationship as opposed to REBT, and this plays a role in the success of the therapy session.

Matweychuk, W., DiGiuseppe, R., & Gulyayeva, O. (2019). A Comparison of REBT with Other Cognitive Behavior Therapies. In Advances in REBT (pp. 47-77). Springer, Cham.