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.

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. 

BACPRegisteredNCPSAccredited
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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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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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Joana Miranda Brighton

Joana Miranda

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

I believe that feeling genuinely heard, understood, and accepted can be an important part of the therapeutic process. I aim to create a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to explore whatever may be bringing you to counselling.I know that reaching out for support can feel daunting, so I strive to make our sessions feel welcoming and comfortable. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come to counselling. We can take things at your pace and explore what feels most important to you.I am naturally a good listener and bring empathy, curiosity, and openness to my work. My aim is to support you in developing a better understanding of yourself, your experiences, and the patterns that may be affecting your wellbeing and relationships.

NCPSAccredited
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Gabrielle Lake Mitchell Brighton

Gabrielle Lake Mitchell

Integrative Counsellor

Thinking about starting counselling and looking for a counsellor, can feel daunting. So I warmly welcome you to my profile and hope that you get in touch to see if I am the right counsellor for you. There are many reasons why people seek counselling. Perhaps you are feeling lonely or disconnected from the people around you? Perhaps you would like to talk to someone about making changes in your life? Maybe you are feeling stuck, anxious or depressed, and would like a little extra support to help you through a difficult time? Perhaps you can't quite put your finger on what is wrong, and would like somewhere to express yourself and make sense of your thoughts and feelings?Whatever brings you to counselling, I will endeavour to offer you a confidential and safe space, where you can talk and explore all of your thoughts and feelings, and express them freely without judgement or opinion. Counselling can be useful in helping you to gain insight and a fresh perspective. It can help you to gain understanding about yourself and others, or help to make sense of a problematic situation. It can help you move towards acceptance, emotional freedom and healthy psychological growth.

BACPRegistered
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