underlying schema explained by Robin Newman, LCSW

Social Work counselor Long Island • REBT theory • social worker October 9, 2019 By Robin Newman 0 Comments

REBT theory is a philosophical, cognitive approach.

REBT theory sees that an individual is able to rid themselves of most of their emotional and mental unhappiness if they learn to maximize their rationale and minimize their irrational thinking.

The ABC’s of REBT theory are an exercise which is a form of cognitive therapy that is simple and effective enough to be used by anybody. The ABC’s help stop you from being victimized by your own thinking. A common example is the issue of someone else’s behavior “making you angry”. The ABC’s of REBT theory are listed below:

A: activating event (trigger)
B: perception (feelings)
C: emotional / behavioral consequences of your perception.

Much of what our family and culture does/says to us, we bring into our personal thinking and situations.

So, how do you take an irrational belief and make it into a rational belief? I’ll give you an example in this video.

Emotionally healthy human beings develop an acceptance of reality, even when reality is highly unfortunate and unpleasant. REBT therapists strive to help their clients develop three types of acceptance: (1) unconditional self-acceptance; (2) unconditional other-acceptance; and (3) unconditional life-acceptance.