weaknesses

• researcher bias


  -Ellis devised treatment & conducted study
• severe cases


  -CBT doesn't work on most severe cases

  -patients may not be able to motivate themselves to attend session / pay attention during session

  -combination of drug treatments & CBT may be most successful
• depressive realism 


  -some irrational beliefs more accurate

  -sadder but wiser effect

  -is it appropriate to 'change' their thinking if it's actually more accurate?
• focuses on symptoms - not long term

  -doesn't focus on causes

  -changes faulty thinking but doesn't look at why these thoughts developed in first place

  -causes not addressed > depression might occur

  -CBT may not be long term treatment
• ethics 


  -REBT regarded one of most aggressive CBTs

  -judgemental about nature of client's thoughts

  -blaming them for their depression