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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: How does Dr. Block help
people with their emotional health and personal welfare?
A: Dr. Block's
therapeutic approach is based upon Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
(REBT), a form of cognitive-behavior therapy created by Dr. Albert
Ellis, Ph.D. Practical and action-oriented, it teaches people
to become aware of their self-defeating thoughts and beliefs so
these ideas can be challenged and changed.
As Dr. Ellis eloquently
said: “The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide
your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother,
the ecology, or the president. You realize that you are in control
your own destiny.”
Dr. Block explains: "We
will work together to clarify your goals and objectives, put into
place efficient/effective techniques to achieve them, and help you
grow in those areas of your choosing. You are expected
to complete "homework" assignments, to let me know what you find
effective, and to work with me to fine-tune anything that is not
effective for you."
The process should make
it easier for you to engage in
life's enriching options, pursue your passions, and attain
contentment, happiness, life balance, and better relationships.
Q: Is it necessary to
search one's past or unconscious, in order to understand and
overcome current difficulties?
A: Although REBT
recognizes that our past is important in influencing the present,
its influence is expressed through current thought patterns
affecting our emotional life and behavior. The past does not have
to be thoroughly scrutinized to grow and overcome problems. After
you focus on self-defeating, harmful thoughts and beliefs, you learn
how to challenge and replace them with rational, logical ideas that
lead to self-actualizing actions and behavior.
Q:
Does REBT attempt to do away with all emotions?
A:
Definitely no!
Life presents us with difficult times and situations, such as
injury, death to a loved one, property loss and/or financial loss,
and as result it makes sense to experience negative (rational)
feelings such as grief, sadness, regret, irritation and concern.
However when these feelings escalate to levels that include panic,
obsession, rage and/or depression it makes it very difficult to
manage our lives most effectively. Furthermore, it makes us less
able to cope with life’s hassles and/or hardships. The goal of
therapy is to learn to think more clearly and realistically so as to
restore emotional balance and "emotional muscle" allowing us to
behave effectively in our own best interest.
REBT enthusiastically
advocates enjoying life to the utmost, engaging in those pursuits
that make us happy, and achieving our goals and dreams. we have.
However this method also teaches how to create a balance between
long-term and short-term desires.
Q: Isn't feeling anger, anxiety
and depression normal?
A: Yes, these
feelings occur in everyday life. However, if not dealt with,
they tend to lead to ineffective, self-defeating, impulsive
behavior, rather than to motivation to work on solutions to
problems. REBT assists clients in reducing and eliminating
debilitating emotions, but not emotionally healthy intense
feelings of displeasure suffered in life. When you are in control of
your feelings you have a much better chance to be assertive in
making changes in very difficult situations.
Q: What are Rational and
Irrational beliefs?
A: According to
REBT, our beliefs are
evaluations/interpretations of events we encounter be they positive
or negative. Rational beliefs are consistent with reality, logical,
flexible, helpful and not extreme. Irrational are not consistent
with reality, are rigid/inflexible, illogical, nonsensical, and
frequently reduce the probability that an individual will achieve
goals, i.e. they are self-defeating.
Q: What are basic irrational
beliefs of REBT?
1) I MUST do well and be
liked by everyone or else I am a rotten, no good person. This type
of global self-rating and self-downing leads to depression and
guilt.
2) Others MUST treat me
how I want to be treated, or else they are no good rotten people,
who deserve to suffer. I MUST get what I want when I want, and
nothing I did not want. This orientation of demanding directed at
our self, others, and life’s conditions inevitably leads to anger
and self destructive behavior.
3) When we go through a
process referred to as "Awfulizing" it means we interpret what has
happened as being more than 100% bad, and it is so bad that we act
as if it is life-threatening (when in fact there is no threat of
physical harm). Awfulizing along with worry creates anxiety,
e.g. ruminating about "what ifs" rather than considering options,
solutions and effective action.
Q:
If I
have a substance abuse/dependence problem, do I have to go to a
12-step program, i.e. (AA-Alcoholics Anonymous, NA-Narcotics
Anonymous, OA-Overeaters Anonymous, etc.). In other words is REBT
effective, useful, helpful with people experiencing substance
abuse/dependence issues?
A: REBT takes the
position that drinking to excess is not the result of a bodily
condition that necessarily ends in consuming alcohol to the point of
intoxication and/or ultimate death. Our belief, supported by
research and case histories, is that most people are able to
maintain control and be quite capable of changing behavior to engage
in moderate drinking, resulting in no harm. However, there are
others who are unable to practice moderation and it is best for them
to abstain from alcohol for life.
If you are physically
dependent on alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates,
opiates, or amphetamines, etc., seek medical supervision for
detoxification in addition to individual and/or group psychotherapy
to modify your behavior.
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