Effects of Pretreatment with Rational Emotive Bibliotherapy and Rational Emotive Audiotherapy on Clients Waiting at Community Mental Health Center

Abstract

Bibliotherapy and audiotherapy, commonly used as adjuncts in the practice of rational emotive therapy, were assessed for pretreatment effects on applicants to a community mental health center. 34 clients on a waiting list were given 16 sessions of rational emotive bibliotherapy or audiotherapy or were assigned to a no-contact control. Both treatment groups showed less endorsement of irrational ideas at the end of pretherapy. However, only the bibliotherapy group showed significantly less neuroticism and trait anxiety. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.