Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)

Introduction to REBT

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is a cognitive-behavioural approach that focuses on identifying and changing irrational beliefs that cause emotional distress. By restructuring these beliefs, you can achieve healthier thought patterns and behaviours.

The ABC Model

REBT is based on the ABC model:

  • A – Activating Event: A situation that triggers a stressful response.
  • B – Beliefs: Your interpretations of the event, which can be irrational.
  • C – Consequences: Emotional and behavioural responses resulting from your beliefs.

By addressing the beliefs at point B, you can change consequences at point C.

Common Irrational Beliefs

  • "I must be perfect."
  • "Everyone must like me."
  • "Life should be fair."

These beliefs can lead to anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges.

How REBT Works

Through therapeutic sessions, you'll learn:

  • To Identify Irrational Beliefs: Recognizing thought patterns that are unhelpful.
  • To Dispute Beliefs: Challenging irrational thoughts with logical questions.
  • To Replace Beliefs: Adopting more balanced and rational thinking.

This process helps you develop healthier emotional responses and skills for future challenges.

Benefits Of REBT

  • Reduced emotional distress
  • Improved coping strategies
  • Greater emotional resilience
  • Enhanced problem solving skills

REBT empowers you to take control of your thoughts and emotions for a better quality of life.

Is REBT Right For You?

If you struggle with negative emotions or stressful reactions, REBT can provide effective tools for change. Our professional therapists are trained to help you apply these strategies in your daily life.

Therapists in Brighton & Hove

Browse our verified therapists — many work across a range of approaches and may be able to help.

Thaddeus Hickman Brighton

Thaddeus Hickman

Psychotherapist

I’m an experienced, integrative psychotherapist, registered with both UKCP and BACP. I work with clients to support their immediate struggles, while also helping them understand and identify underlying and often unseen issues - a process which often leads to positive and lasting change.

BACPRegisteredUKCPRegistered
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Imogen Salt Brighton

Imogen Salt

Humanistic Psychotherapist

I offer one-to-one humanistic counselling, for adults and young people within the Brighton & Hove area. I prioritise face-to-face therapy, but offer online where needed. I am experienced, thoughtful, intuitive and warm.

NCPSAccredited
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Tony Austin Brighton

Tony Austin

Integrative psychotherapist

Common feelings such as anxiety, a lack of self-worth or sadness colour our experience and often leave us feeling we have lost our way. Sometimes we can feel like our own worst enemy, giving ourselves a hard time because others can manage, so why can’t I?I chose to train as a psychotherapist after being in therapy myself. Through the process of talking with a skilled therapist I was able to reflect on how my past had shaped my present, understand myself better, value myself more and create a happier, more fulfilled life and I want to help others do the same. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than having a client say they feel “unburdened” at the end of a session or, at their final session, seeing them leave with greater confidence ready to make the changes necessary to create the life they want.After completing my training as a counsellor at Lambeth College, I worked for an NHS counselling service in West London. I helped many clients dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship breakdown and many other common issues and seeing so many people find positive solutions fuelled my passion for therapy and I would like to help you.  I believe everyone deserves to be heard and with the right support can create positive, lasting change. Through our work together, I can help you reduce anxiety, rebuild your confidence, learn how to recognise unhelpful habits such as “people pleasing”, or “self-sabotage” and create better relationships with yourself and others.If you want to learn more about how counselling can help you, get in touch through the link at the bottom of this page and take the first step to happier, more fulfilling life.

BACPAccredited
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Andy Wolage Brighton

Andy Wolage

Therapeutic Counsellor

Sometimes life is really hard. Everything feels like too much. We can get overwhelmed with guilt for not coping, shame for having failed in the past and sometimes we can end up not really liking ourselves very much. We might self medicate with substances or other behaviours which we know don't really help, but they seem better than nothing. But they just perpetuate the cycle. I can offer you a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space to organise and reframe those overwhelming feelings and see the wood for the trees. I can help you understand yourself better and to begin to look in the mirror and like what you see. 

NCPSRegistered
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Ayesha Daly Brighton

Ayesha Daly

Humanistic Integrative Counsellor

​I am an experienced Humanistic counsellor practising in Lewes and Brighton, East Sussex and believe everyone has the capacity to heal and move forward. I understand how difficult starting counselling can be and will hope to answer any queries you have. For me therapy has been incredibly important, healing and rewarding. As a counsellor I hope to offer you what I have gained.

BACPAccredited
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Claire Baker Brighton

Claire Baker

Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

At Clarity Counselling you will be warmly welcomed by me, Claire Baker, a fully qualified, insured and BACP-registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. If you are aged 18+ and are interested in starting therapy, I offer a half price, 50-minute introductory session which gives us an opportunity to meet, discuss what brings you to counselling and see how we feel about working together, with no obligation for you to commit to further sessions if you do not wish. Please visit: www.claritycounselling.co.uk for more details.

BACPAccredited
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