Distinctive features of A. Ellis' rational-emotional-behavioral therapy and A. Beck's cognitive therapy approaches in clinical practice and psychotherapy of emotional disorders

Abstract

The object of this research is the theoretical and methodological features of the cognitive-behavioral direction of psychotherapy. The subject of the research is the comparative characteristics of rational–emotional-behavioral therapy (REBT) by A. Ellis and cognitive therapy (CT) by A. Beck in the context of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The authors investigate in detail the cognitive model of the formation of dysfunctional reactions, analyze the mutual determination of dysfunctional beliefs through the prism of both approaches, compare philosophical and cognitive solutions to the problem of emotional disorders, investigate the relationship of automatic thoughts and irrational beliefs, and also emphasize the differences between A. Beck's cognitive therapy and A. Ellis' rational-emotional-behavioral therapy. If in A. Beck's cognitive therapy cognitive restructuring is implemented on a descending principle, consistently affecting the levels of automatic thoughts, intermediate beliefs (cognitive distortions) and self-concept (deep beliefs), then in A. Ellis' rational-emotional-behavioral therapy the procedure of disputing (challenging) irrational beliefs is carried out on an ascending principle, moving from the modification of imperative and derived evaluative beliefs to change automatic perceptions and conclusions. The scientific novelty of the research also consists in clarifying the categorical framework of cognitive behavioral therapy in terms of clarifying the content and correlation of the concepts of "irrational belief", "dysfunctional attitude" and "cognitive distortion". The research also outlines the prospects for the integration of A. Beck's cognitive therapy and A. Ellis' rational-emotional-behavioral therapy.