Abstract
This article presents the results of an international survey of rational-emotive therapists who had completed either the Fellow or Associate Fellow program of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy. Two hundred and twenty eight questionnaires were mailed out, 144 (63%) were returned. The survey investigated theoretical opinions, treatment strategies, assessment procedures, in-session therapy techniques, homework assignments, therapist personality characteristics and preferences, as well as descriptive data on both therapists and clients. Results suggest that most RET therapists follow the philosophies and practices of RET as espoused and advocated by Albert Ellis. A significant number of therapists, however, disagree with Ellis in some of his philosophical views and appeared to adapt the practice of RET to their own preferred style.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alberti, R. & Emmons, M. (1982).Your perfect right (4th Ed.). San Luis Obispo, CA: Impact.
Bandura, A. (1977).Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice Hall.
Burns, D. (1980).Feeling Good: The new mood therapy. New York: Morrow.
Criddle, W. (1976). Are there hazards in practicing RET?Rational Living, 11, 14–17.
Dyer, W. (1977).Your erroneous zones. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
Ellis, A. (1957). Outcome of employing three techniques of psychotherapy.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 13, 334–350.
Ellis, A. (1972a).How to stubbornly refuse to be ashamed of anything. (Cassette recording). New York: Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy.
Ellis, A. (1972b). Helping people get better rather than merely feel better.Rational Living, 7(2), 2–9.
Ellis, A. (1972c).Twenty-one ways to stop worrying. (Cassette recording). New York: Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy.
Ellis, A. (1973). My philosophy of psychotherapy.Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 6, 13–18.
Ellis, A. (1975).How to live with a neurotic (Rev. ed.). North Hollywood, CA: Wilshire Books.
Ellis, A. (976). Hazards in practicing RET: An answer.Rational Living, 11, 19–23.
Ellis, A. (1977a).Conquering the dire need for love. (Cassette recording). New York: Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy.
Ellis, A. (1977b).Conquering low frustration tolerance. (Cassette recording). New York: Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy.
Ellis, A. (1977c). Intimacy in psychotherapy.Rational Living, 12, 13–19.
Ellis, A. (1978). Personality characteristics of rational-emotive therapists and other kinds of therapists.Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 15, 329–332.
Ellis, A. (1979). Rejoinder: Elegant and inelegant RET. In A. Ellis & J. Whiteley (Eds.),Theoretical and empirical foundations of rational-emotive therapy (pp. 240–267). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Ellis, A. (1980). Rational-emotive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy: Similarities and differences.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4, 325–340.
Ellis, A. (1982). Must most psychotherapists remain as incompetent as they now are?Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 13, 17–28.
Ellis, A. (1983a). My philosophy of work and love.Psychotherapy in Private Pratice, 1, 43–49.
Ellis, A. (1983b). The philosophic implications and dangers of some popular behavior therapy techniques. In M. Rosenbaum, C. M. Franks & Y. Jaffe (Eds.).Perspectives on behavior therapy in the eighties (pp. 138–151). New York: Springer.
Ellis, A. (1984). Introduction to Wendy Dryden'sRational-emotive therapy: Fundamentals and innovations (pp. vii-xxvi). London: Croom Helm.
Ellis, A. & Abrams, E. (1978).Brief psychotherapy in medical and health practice. New York: Springer.
Ellis, A. & Becker, I. (1982).A guide to personal happiness. North Hollywood: Wilshire Books.
Ellis A. & Bernard, M. (1985). What is rational-emotive therapy (RET)? In A. Ellis & M. E. Bernard (Eds.),Clinical applications of rational-emotive therapy. (pp. 1–30). New York: Plenum.
Ellis, A. & Harper, R. (1975).A new guide to rational living. North Hollywood, CA: Wilshire Books.
Franks, C. M. & Wilson, G. T. (1977).Annual review of behavior therapy: Theory and practice (Vol. 5). New York: Brunner/Mazel, pp. 42–43.
Garcia, E. (1977). Working on the E in RET. In J. Wolfe and E. Brand (Eds.),Twenty years of rational therapy. New York: Institute for Rational Living, Inc.
Grieger, R. and Boyd, J. (1980).Rational-emotive therapy: A skills-based approach. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Hauck, P. (1973),Overcoming depression. Philadelphia: Westminster.
Hauck, P. (1974).Overcoming frustration and anger. Philadelphia: Westminster.
Hauck, P. (1974).Overcoming worry and fear. Philadelphia: Westminster.
Johnson, N. (1980). Must the rational-emotive therapist be like Albert Ellis?The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 58, 49–51.
Lazarus, A. (1979). Can RET become a cult? In A. Ellis & J. Whiteley (Eds.),Theoretical and empirical foundations of rational-emotive therapy (pp. 236–239). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Mahoney, M. (1979). A critical analysis of rational-emotive theory and practice. In A. Ellis & J. Whiteley (Eds.),Theoretical and empirical foundations of rational-emotive therapy (p. 177–180). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Meichenbaum, D. (1979). Dr. Ellis, please stand up. In A. Ellis and J. Whiteley (Eds.),Theoretical and empirical foundations of rational-emotive therapy (pp. 174–176). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Saltzberg, L. & Elkins, G. (1980). An examination of common concerns about rational-emotive therapy.Professional Psychology, 11, 324–330.
Smith, D. (1982). Trends in counseling and psychotherapy.American Psychologist, 37, 802–809.
Swan, G. & McDonald, M. (1978). Behavior therapy in practice: A national survey of behavior therapists.Behavior Therapy, 9, 799–807.
Walen, S. DiGiuseppe, R. & Wessler, R. (1980).A practitioner's guide to rational-emotive therapy. New York: Oxford.
Weinrach, S. (1980). Unconventional therapist: Albert Ellis.Personnel and Guidance Journal, 58, 152–160.
Wessler, R. L. (1982, September). Alternative conceptions of rational-emotive therapy: Towards a philosophically neutral psychotherapy. Paper presented at the 12th European Congress of Behavior Therapy, Rome, Italy.
Young, H. (1974).Rational counseling primer. New York: Institute for Rational Emotive-Therapy.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Warren, R., McLellarn, R.W. What do RET therapists think they are doing? An international survey. Journal of Rational-Emotive Therapy 5, 71–91 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01074378
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01074378