Abstract
A theoretical integration of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and solution-focused therapy is described. It is suggested that the integrative conceptualization underscores these models’ complementary aspects by addressing the limitations of each and enhancing their respective strengths. The clinical theory and process of the integrative model is explicated along with a case example. Directions for future theory building, research, and practice are considered.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson H., Goolishian H. A., (1988). Human systems as linguistic systems: Preliminary and evolving ideas about the implications for clinical theoryFamily Process 27: 371–393
Beck A. T., (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders International Universities Press New York
Colaptino J., (1979). The relative value of empirical evidenceFamily Process 18: 427–441
de Shazer S., (1978). Brief hypnotherapy of two sexual dysfunctions: The Crystal Ball TechniqueAmerican Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 20: 203–208
de Shazer S., (1982). Patterns of brief family therapy: An ecosystemic approach. Guilford New York
de Shazer S., (1984). The death of resistanceFamily Process 23: 11–17
de Shazer S., (1985). Keys to solution in brief therapy Norton New York
de Shazer S., (1988). Investigating solutions in brief therapy Norton New York
de Shazer S., (1991). Putting difference to work Norton New York
de Shazer S., Berg I. K., Lipchik E., Nunnally E., Molnar E., Gingerich K., Weiner-Davis M., (1986). Brief therapy: Focused solution developmentFamily Process 25: 207–222
Ellis A., (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy Lyle Stuart Secaucus, NJ
Ellis A., (1977). Rejoinder: Elegant and inelegant RET Counseling Psychologist 7: 73–82
Ellis A., (1980). Rational-emotive therapy and cognitive-behavior therapy: Similarities and differencesCognitive Therapy and Research 4: 325–340
Ellis A., (1985). Overcoming resistance: Rational-emotive therapy with difficult clients Springer New York
Ellis A., (1987). The evolution of rational-emotive therapy (RET) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) In Zeig J. K., (Ed.), The evolution of psychotherapy Brunner/Mazel New York (pp. 107–125)
Ellis A., (1988). How to stubbornly refuse to make yourself miserable about anything—yes anything! Lyle Stuart Secaucus, NJ
Ellis A., (1996). Better, deeper, and more enduring brief therapy: The rational emotive behavior therapy approach Taylor and Francis New York
Ellis A., (1997). Response to Jeffrey T. Guterman’s response to my critique of social constructivism in mental health counseling Journal of Mental Health Counseling 19: 57–63
Ellis A., (1999). Why rational-emotive therapy to rational emotive behavior therapy?Psychotherapy 36: 154–159
Ellis A., (2001). Overcoming destructive beliefs, feelings, and behaviors: New directions for rational emotive behavior therapy Prometheus Books Buffalo, NY
Ellis A., Dryden W., (1990). The basic practice of RET In Dryden W., (Ed.), The essential Albert Ellis Springer New York (pp. 3–30)
Ellis A. Sichel J., Yeager R., DiMattia D., DiGiuseppe R., (1989). Rational-emotive couples therapy Pergamon New York
Ellis A., Yeager R. J., (1989). Why some therapies don’t work: the dangers of transpersonal psychology Prometheus Books Buffalo, NY
Erickson M. H. (1980). Further clinical techniques of hypnosis: Utilization techniques. In Rossi E. L. (Ed.), The collected papers of Milton H. Erickson (Vol. 1, pp. 177–205). New York : Irvington
Held B. S., (1986). The relationship between individual psychologies and strategic/systemic therapies reconsidered In Efron D. E., (Ed.), Journeys: Expansion of the strategic-systemic therapies Brunner/Mazel New York (pp. 222–260)
Held B. S., (1992). The problem of strategy within the systemic therapiesJournal of Marital and Family Therapy 18: 25–35
Liddle H. A., (1982). On the problem of eclecticism: A call for epistemological clarification and human-scale theories Family Process 21: 243–250
Meichenbaum D., (1977). Cognitive-behavior modification: An integrative approach Plenum New York
Molnar A., de Shazer S., (1987). Solution-focused therapy: Toward the identification of therapeutic tasksJournal of Marital and Family Therapy 13: 349–358
Norcross J. C., (1990). Commentary: Eclecticism misrepresented and integration misunderstoodPsychotherapy 27: 297–300
Norcross J. C., Goldfried M., (1992). Handbook of psychotherapy integration Basic Books New York
O’Hanlon W. H., Weiner-Davis M., (1989). In search of solutions: A new direction in psychotherapy Norton New York
Paul G. L., (1967). Strategy of outcome research in psychotherapyJournal of Consulting Psychology 31: 109–119
Petzold C., (1981). Erickson and Ellis: An elegant integration based on the innovative techniques of both Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy 27(1): 27–34
Safran J. D., Messer S. B., (1997). Psychotherapy integration: A postmodern critique Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 4: 140–152
Walen S. R., DiGiuseppe R., Dryden W., (1992). A practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive therapy Oxford University Press New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Address correspondence to Jeffrey T. Guterman, Barry University, 11300 NE 2 Avenue, Adrian Dominican School of Education, Counseling Program, Powers Building, Miami Shores, FL 33161–6695, USA; e-mail: jguterman@mail.barry.edu
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Guterman, J.T., Rudes, J. A solution-focused approach to rational-emotive behavior therapy: toward a theoretical integration. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 23, 223–244 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-005-0012-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-005-0012-z