I use psychoeducational instruction when teaching clients about Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For instance, I teach the ABC model and illustrate how when an undesirable Activating event occurs and a person Believes something unhelpful about the situation, such assumptions cause unpleasant Consequences.
Also, a significant portion of the learning process involves target problems with which clients present to session. Thus, we work on problem areas and the problems themselves.
For instance, suppose client X reports experiencing anger with telemarketing or robocalls and texts. The problem area involves telephonic communication and the problem relates to client X’s unpleasant mood and behavior concerning the problem area.
I use psychoeducation to help client X understand that Disputation of unhelpful assumptions can lead to the adoption of Effective new beliefs which may be used regarding the problem area. As well, I educate client X about unconditional acceptance as a means of reducing unhelpful reactivity.
Although these lessons may be helpful in our sessions together, client X would then perform REBT work outside of session through negotiated homework tasks. Ultimately, the goal is to generalize learning so that client X can apply knowledge and experience of learned lessons to other problem areas (e.g., anger in traffic).
Regarding generalized learning, page 184 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion invites REBT practitioners to urge clients to take an active role in generalizing their learning with problem areas and between different problems. Noteworthy, this sort of generalizing won’t likely occur spontaneously.
Therefore, clients can make a concerted effort to apply psychoeducational lessons across other problem areas and in regard to different types of problems. With a generalized learning approach, clients can actually get better rather than merely feeling better through the process of behavioral health care.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
Photo credit (edited), fair use
References:
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. ISBN 0-917476-26-3. Library of Congress Control Number: 20031044378
Freepik. (n.d.). Smiley girl with stack of books [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/smiley-girl-with-stack-books_6936858.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=34&uuid=cc61799f-8b01-4ebd-93ef-bc2c932435db
Hollings, D. (2024, May 30). Behavioral health care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/behavioral-health-care
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, April 18). Homework. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/homework
Hollings, D. (2024, April 17). I go to work. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/i-go-to-work
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing
Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2024, February 13). Focus on the target problem. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/focus-on-the-target-problem
Hollings, D. (2022, November 9). The ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-abc-model
Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance
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