Advertisement

REBT in Italy: Dissemination and Integration with Constructivism and Metacognition

  • Giovanni M. Ruggiero
  • Ennio Ammendola
  • Gabriele Caselli
  • Sandra Sassaroli
Theoretical Articles
First Online:

Abstract

This paper describes and critically discusses how rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) spread among Italian cognitive psychotherapists. In the 1980s Cesare De Silvestri, with the help of Carola Schimmelpfennig, Franco Baldini, and Mario Di Pietro, brought REBT to Italy and eagerly disseminated it. In addition, De Silvestri cooperated with the two leading figures in the Italian clinical cognitive movement, Vittorio Guidano and Gianni Liotti. Guidano and Liotti applied the ABC framework to their constructivist version of cognitive therapy. Given that the large majority of Italian cognitive therapists adopted Guidano and Liotti’s approach, they all started applying the ABC framework and are still applying it today. However, Italian therapists adapted the ABC framework to their constructivist training. For example, Guidano and Liotti interpreted the ABC framework as aimed at promoting cognitive and emotional awareness in clients, while they considered the ‘disputing’ phase to be not compatible with the constructivist principles they held. They also encouraged the application of John Bowlby’s ideas to REBT and the use of life experience report techniques in the ABC. Sandra Sassaroli and Roberto Lorenzini applied George Kelly’s “laddering” technique to the ABC framework, a technique more focused on dilemmatic structures than on REBTian dysfunctional thought. Caselli investigated REBT’s influence on Adrian Wells’ metacognitive version of the ABC. Finally, Ruggiero and Ammendola have made a strong call for “back to Ellis”. This implies that any innovation should involve a more stringent and faithful application of REBT principles.

Keywords

Constructivism De Silvestri Guidano Italy Kelly Liotti REBT 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Balbi, J. (2008). Epistemological and theoretical foundations of constructivist cognitive therapies: Post-rationalist developments. Dialogues in Philosophy, Mental and Neuro Sciences, 1, 15–27.Google Scholar
  2. Baldini, F. (2004). Homework: Un’Antologia di Prescrizioni Terapeutiche [Homework: An anthology of therapeutic presciptions]. Milano: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
  3. Bannister, D., & Fransella, F. (1971). Inquiring man, the psychology of personal constructs. Penguin Books, Harmonsworth. It. trans.: Chiari, G., Nuzzo, L. (Eds.) (1986). L’uomo ricercatore. Firenze: Martinelli.Google Scholar
  4. Beck, A. T. (1975). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Intl Universities Press.Google Scholar
  5. Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent–child attachment and healthy human development. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
  6. Caselli, G. (2013). Tecniche di colloquio metacognitivo [Metacognitive therapeutic interview techniques]. In G. M. Ruggiero & S. Sassaroli (Eds.), Il Colloquio in Psicoterapia Cognitiva. Tecnica e Pratica Clinica [The interview in cognitive psychotherapy. Technique and clinical practice] (pp. 211–222). Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore.Google Scholar
  7. Castelfranchi, C., Mancini, F., & Miceli, M. (Eds.). (2002). Fondamenti di cognitivismo clinico [Principles of clinical cognitivism]. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri.Google Scholar
  8. Castelfranchi, C., & Paglieri, F. (2007). The role of beliefs in goal dynamics: Prolegomena to a constructive theory of intentions. Synthese, 155, 237–263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Chiari, G., & Nuzzo, M. L. (Eds.). (1984). Crescita e cambiamento della conoscenza individuale. Psicologia dello sviluppo e psicoterapia nella prospettiva cognitivista. Milano: Franco Angeli.Google Scholar
  10. Chiari, G., & Nuzzo, M. L. (Eds.). (2003). Psychological constructivism and the social world. Milano: Franco Angeli.Google Scholar
  11. David, D. (2003). Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT): The view of a cognitive psychologist. In W. Dryden (Ed.), Rational emotive behaviour therapy: Theoretical developments. East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge.Google Scholar
  12. David, D., Szentagotai, A., Eva, K., & Macavei, B. (2005). A synopsis of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT); fundamental and applied research. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 23, 175–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. De Silvestri, C. (1981). I Fondamenti Teorici e Clinici della Terapia Razionale Emotiva [Theoretical and clinical principles of rational emotive therapy]. Roma: Astrolabio.Google Scholar
  14. De Silvestri, C. (1989). Clinical models in RET: An advanced model of the organization of emotional and behavioural disorders. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 7, 51–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. De Silvestri, C. (2000). Il ruolo dell’attenzione nella teoria e nella prassi della psicoterapia RET [The role of attention in the RET theory and practice]. Informazione Psicologia Psicoterapia Psichiatria, 39, 70–83.Google Scholar
  16. Di Pietro, M. (1992). L’Educazione Razionale-Emotiva [Rational-emotive education]. Trento: Edizioni Centro Studi Erikson.Google Scholar
  17. Di Pietro, M. (Ed.). (1998). Terapia Razionale-Emotiva [Rational-Emotive Therapy]. Roma: Bulzoni.Google Scholar
  18. DiGiuseppe, R., Doyle, K. A., Dryden, W., & Backx, W. (2014). A practioner’s guide to rational emotive behavior therapy. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
  19. Dimaggio, G., Semerari, A. (Eds) (2003). I disturbi di personalità. Modelli e trattamento. [Personality disorders. Models and treatments]. Laterza: Roma-Bari.Google Scholar
  20. Dryden, W. (2009). Rational emotive behaviour therapy: Distinctive features. East Sussex: Routledge.Google Scholar
  21. Dryden, W. (2011). Dealing with clients’ emotional problems in life coaching: A rational-emotive and cognitive behaviour therapy (RECBT) approach. East Sussex: Routledge.Google Scholar
  22. Dryden, W., Walker, J. (1992). REBT self-help form. Revised by Albert Ellis (1996); revised by Dryden, W. & David D. (2009). New York: Albert Ellis Institute.Google Scholar
  23. Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. Secaucus, NJ: The Citadel Press. Italian translation: De Silvestri (Ed.) (1989). Ragione ed Emozione in Psicoterapia. Roma: Astrolabio.Google Scholar
  24. Ellis, A. (1972). Executive leadership. NJ: The Citadel Press.Google Scholar
  25. Ellis, A. (1974). Disputing irrational beliefs. New York: Institute for Rational Living.Google Scholar
  26. Ellis, A. (1990). Is rational-emotive therapy (RET) “rationalist” or “constructivist”? Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 8, 169–193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Ellis, A., & Dryden, W. (1997). The practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.Google Scholar
  28. Ellis, A., & Grieger, R. (Eds.). (1977). Handbook of rational emotive therapy. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
  29. Guidano, V. F. (1987). Complexity of the self. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
  30. Guidano, V. F. (1991). The self in process. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
  31. Guidano, V. F. (1992). Il Sè nel suo Divenire. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri.Google Scholar
  32. Guidano, V., & Liotti, G. (1983). Cognitive processes and emotional disorders: A structural approach to psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
  33. Kelly, G. A. (1955). The psychology of personal constructs. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
  34. Liotti, G. (1990). Relazione sulla RET [Commentary on RET]. In C. De Silvestri (Ed.), Atti della Tavola Rotonda: Valutazione Critica della Teoria e Psicoterapia RET [Procedings of the round-table: Critical evaluations of REBT theory and psychotherapy] (pp. 1–14). Roma: Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy (IRET).Google Scholar
  35. Liotti, G. (2001). Le Opere della Coscienza. Psicopatologia e Psicoterapia nella Prospettiva Cognitivo-Evoluzionista [The work of consciousness. Psychopathology and psychotherapy in the cognitive-evolutionary perspective]. Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore.Google Scholar
  36. Lorenzini, R., & Sassaroli, S. (1987). La Paura della Paura [The fear of fear]. Roma: Nuova Italia Scientifica.Google Scholar
  37. Lorenzini, R., & Sassaroli, S. (1995). Attaccamento, Conoscenza e Disturbi di Personalità [Attachment, knowledge, and personality disorders]. Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore.Google Scholar
  38. Mahoney, M. J. (1974). Cognition and behavior modification. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.Google Scholar
  39. Mahoney, M. J. (1995). Theoretical developments in the cognitive and constructive psychotherapies. In M. J. Mahoney (Ed.), Cognitive and constructive psychotherapies: Recent developments in theory, research, and practice (pp. 3–19). New York: Springer.Google Scholar
  40. Mahoney, M. J. (2003). Constructive psychotherapy: Practices, Processes, and personal revolutions. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
  41. Mancini, F. (1990). Relazione sulla RET [Commentary on RET]. In C. De Silvestri (Ed.), Atti della Tavola Rotonda: Valutazione Critica della Teoria e Psicoterapia RET [Procedings of the round-table: Critical evaluations of REBT theory and psychotherapy] (pp. 21–40). Roma: Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy (IRET).Google Scholar
  42. Mancini, F., & Gangemi, A. (2012). The paradoxes of depression: A goal-driven approach. In F. Paglieri, L. Tummolini, R. Falcone, & M. Miceli (Eds.), The goals of cognition: Essays in honor of Cristiano Castelfranchi (pp. 253–272). London: College Publication.Google Scholar
  43. Meyer, V. (1966). Modification of expectations in cases with obsessional rituals. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 4, 273–280.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. Meyer, V., Levy, R., & Schnurer, A. (1974). A behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. In H. R. Beech (Ed.), Obsessional states. London: Methuen.Google Scholar
  45. Neenan, M., & Dryden, W. (2006). Cognitive therapy in a nutshell. London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
  46. Paciolla, A., & Mancini, F. (2010). Cognitivismo esistenziale. Dal significato del sintomo al significato della vita [Existential cognitivism. From the meaning of symptoms to the meaning of life]. Roma: Franco Angeli.Google Scholar
  47. Paglieri, F., & Castelfranchi, C. (2008). More than control freaks: Evaluative and motivational functions of goals. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31, 35–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Spada, M.M., Caselli, G., & Wells, A. (2012). A triphasic metacognitive formulation of problem drinking. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, published on-line 16 May 2012.Google Scholar
  49. Walen, S. R., DiGiuseppe, R., & Wessler, R. L. (1980). A practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive therapy. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
  50. Wells, A. (2009). Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. New York: Guilfrod Press.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Giovanni M. Ruggiero
    • 1
    • 3
  • Ennio Ammendola
    • 2
  • Gabriele Caselli
    • 3
  • Sandra Sassaroli
    • 3
  1. 1.“Psicoterapia Cognitiva e Ricerca” Cognitive Psychotherapy School and Research CenterMilan, BolzanoItaly
  2. 2.Albert Ellis Institute New YorkNew YorkUSA
  3. 3.“Studi Cognitivi” Cognitive Psychotherapy School and Research CenterMilan, Modena, San Benedetto del TrontoItaly

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options