Relaciones Con Los Demas Book

I must candidly acknowledge (but not "MUSTurbate") before beginning this review that I have developed a bias contra therapies rooted in the Behavioral Sciences. I have endeavored to approach my understanding of several theories of psychotherapy by starting with the first wave viz., psychodynamic theories, and for undefined intentions, omitted the second wave of cognitive-behavioral based approaches, moving directly towards the humanistic theories. In an attempt to defend this decision, I openly admit that it is my strong roots in Existential thought that conceivably persuaded me to make this move.

In the humanistic theories, mostly Existential and Person-centered, I found a familiarity with my pre-conceived views of reality. Thus, it is unproblematic for me to make sense of and appreciate these theories because they are already recognizable and agreeable to me. Further, I struggled with the last book I read, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry, by William Glasser. As I examined, page after page, and attempted to surmount my bias, I found myself even more skeptical of the subject matter and the science it is based on. Notwithstanding, I still recognized the value in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches, I just did not uncover it resonating within my personality.

As I began reading Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, I worried that I would again find myself extremely uncomfortable with the material and constantly "sharpshooting" the dialogue. Much to my surprise, my bias was softened almost immediately by the very approachable, dare I say, humanistic attitude presented by the author's (Albert Ellis and Debbie Joffe Ellis). Instead of finding points of contention to disagree with, I instead, attempted to put in context, the material presented and its efficacy to truly helping people overcome their psychological barriers.

In the back of my mind, I still have a philosophical resistance to cognitive-behavioral approaches in general; however, this monograph has helped me understand some of the more critical underlying methods that Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is founded upon. It is within the main principles of REBT that I find myself agreeing, to a considerable extent, with the theory. These main principles, I find particularly accurate:

(1) The environment and biology both influence human behavior.

(2) From birth, we all have the ability to think both rationally and irrationally.

(3) If we actually take the time to think about what we think, it is us that makes the choices about how we behave, based on our thinking and feeling.

(4) If we choose to think realistically and rationally, the concomitant effect might very well be appropriate and healthy emotions, behaviors, and attitudes.

(5) Contrariwise, if we choose to think irrationally, it may very well have negative effects on anything from emotional balance to the physical manifestation of conditions.

Moreover, the core tenets, the "ABCs" of REBT, are instrumental in bringing the main principles to fruition. By putting the "ABCs" into practice, the results could help maintain a healthy, productive lifestyle in accordance with the main principles.

The main point of this review is to indicate that I do think the theory is worth investigating. The Unconditional Life - Acceptance (ULA), The Unconditional Other - Acceptance (UOA), and Unconditional Self - Acceptance, all seem congruent factors with a humanistic approach. Moreover, I think the main principles are flexible enough to be integrated into an eclectic style of counseling that would ultimately benefit the client.

I have enjoyed reading this monograph, and look forward to further exploring the behavioral and cognitive- behavioral approaches to psychotherapy.

Happy Reading!