weaknesses

• Reductionist

  Overemphasies role of cognitions/fault thinking as the only cause for depression

  Factors such as environmental stressors overlooked - implied to patient they need to change irrational beliefs rather than circumstances

  • Ineffective until circumstances changed
• Acceptability - Emotional stressors

  A confrontational style of disputing irrational thinking can re-traumatize the patient

  Therapist-centered = possibility of exploration + dependency

  • Causes more distress than actual abnormality therefore is demotivating and possibility of relapse

  HOWEVER: REBT promotes emotional balance so does not dismiss complexity of negative cognitive patterns
• Side effects

  Confrontational type of therapy = emotionally distraught and physically draining

  e.g, exposure therapy (airplane with fear of flying) = temporary stress/anxiety

  • More distress than actual disorder can lead to patients avoiding therapy and increasing the chance of relapse