Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was developed by psychologist Dr. Albert Ellis in 1955 and was the first cognitive behavioral therapies. At a time when psychoanalytic approaches were dominant, Ellis placed much greater emphasis on the beliefs and personal philosophies through which people interpret events and respond to them emotionally and behaviorally.

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A central idea in REBT is that difficult events do not by themselves determine how we feel. Our beliefs about those events play an important role in shaping our emotional and behavioral reactions. REBT therefore helps people identify rigid, extreme or self-defeating beliefs and replace them with more flexible and realistic ways of thinking.

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This does not mean “looking on the bright side” or trying to eliminate negative feelings. Difficult events can and should produce negative emotions. Losing a job, for example, may naturally lead to sadness, disappointment or concern. REBT aims to help people experience these feelings without adding unnecessary emotional suffering that makes coping more difficult.

REBT is more than a single technique. It is a comprehensive psychotherapeutic approach that uses cognitive, emotional and behavioral methods. Over time, it has continued to incorporate new techniques while retaining its central focus on beliefs, emotional responsibility and practical change.

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REBT has been studied for many decades and research supports its effectiveness for a range of emotional and behavioral difficulties. The length and outcome of therapy, however, depend on the individual, the nature of the problem and the goals of treatment.

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