Question

Reena constantly thinks, “I must succeed at everything, or I am a failure,” which causes her distress when she makes small mistakes. How can Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) help Reena overcome her psychological distress? Mention three steps involved in the Rational Emotive Therapy (RET).

Hint:

In RET, "B" (Belief) is the cause of "C" (Consequence), not "A" (the actual event). Change the belief, and you change the emotion!

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), developed by Albert Ellis, is based on the premise that emotional distress is caused by irrational beliefs and "musts" rather than external events.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
How RET helps Reena:
RET would help Reena by identifying her irrational belief ("I must succeed at everything") and challenging its logic. The therapist helps her see that making a mistake does not equal being a "failure," thereby reducing her emotional distress.

Three steps in RET (The ABC Analysis):
1. A - Antecedent Event: The therapist identifies the external event that triggers the distress (e.g., Reena making a small mistake).
2. B - Belief System: The therapist uncovers the irrational beliefs that Reena holds about the event (e.g., "Because I made a mistake, I am a total failure").
3. C - Consequent Emotions: The therapist examines the emotional and behavioral consequences (e.g., severe distress and anxiety) resulting from these irrational beliefs.
Step 3: Final Answer:
RET helps Reena by disputing her irrational thoughts and replacing them with flexible, rational ones. The three steps are identifying the Antecedent, the Belief, and the Consequences.