Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Case Study

Introduction

Case conceptualization refers to the process in which we make sense of a client 's presenting concerns in the context of a theoretical framework. In other words, it refers to how we explain or understand the client 's symptoms, personality characteristics, cognitions, feelings, and behaviors in light of a particular theory or integration of theories. “According to Sperry and Sperry (2012), case conceptualization can best be defined as “a method and clinical strategy for obtaining and organizing information about a client, understanding and explaining the client’s situation and maladaptive patterns, guiding and focusing treatments, anticipating challenges, and roadblocks, and preparing for a successful termination”. Such

Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) was one of the first cognitive therapies created and is still a widely used and effective approach today (Corey, 2009). REBT therapy is based on the assumption that people contribute to their own psychological problems by the way they interpret events in their lives (Corey, 2009).

Ellis developed an A-B-C framework in which to understand a client’s thinking, emotions, events and behavior. This theoretical framework states that (A) the activating event contributes to the (C) emotional and behavioral consequences, which is either healthy or unhealthy were the individual (D) disputes these beliefs and learns to replace them with more rational ways of thinking (E) through adaptive, and rational beliefs, by providing a positive impact on their emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses and replacing the irrational beliefs of the client to more rational ways of thinking (Szentagotai & Kallay,

“This theory is based on assumptions that people have the capacity to act in either rational or irrational manner” (Gibson & Mitchell, 2007). Michelle has been thinking irrationally about her future due to the circumstances. The arrangement which she has done is not compromising her because of the unexpected changes according to planed plan which is opting to work for a year. “The goal of REBT is to reduce or eliminate irrational behavior. To change such undesired behavior clients have to learn how their thinking, emotions, and behavior are interrelated” (Gibson & Mitchell, 2007). However, in Michelle’s case it is significantly relevant as now she is frustrated in her current career and feeling negative about the coming years due to the irrational beliefs that she would not complete her studies. Michelle’s experiences has summed up somewhat irrationally into flawed thinking. Thompson and Rudolph (2000) have precisely stated that “irrational thinking leads to self-hate, which leads to self-destructive behavior and eventually hatred of others”. In other words, Michelle feels that she must also complete her studies in that coming two years’ time, when she fails to conquer these possible goals, she indulges into uncertainty and hatred. This uncertainty which is also known as; self-doubt and hatred combined with the persistent feeling of determination that she feels to