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Rational-Emotive Assessment with Religious Clients

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Abstract

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), when practiced effectively and flexibly, can be an excellent treatment modality for religious clients. Most of the American population acknowledges some religious belief and/or practice and religious clients sometimes present with unique disturbances and concerns about psychotherapy. In this article we discuss the rapidly changing literature relative to religiousness and mental health and highlight the ethical-professional risks of failing to carefully assess and responsibly manage client religiousness when it is personally and clinically salient. We conclude by outlining a model for focused assessment of religiousness early in REBT and recommend that REBT practitioners consider different components of religiousness and the manner in which they may impact response to treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Clinical Psychology, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon, 97132-2697;

    W. Brad Johnson

  2. Brigham Young University, USA

    Stevan Lars Nielsen

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  1. W. Brad Johnson
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  2. Stevan Lars Nielsen
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Johnson, W.B., Nielsen, S.L. Rational-Emotive Assessment with Religious Clients. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy 16, 101–123 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024934311040

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024934311040

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