What is the theory behind this worksheet?
The following worksheet is based on the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy developed by psychologist Albert Ellis. This action-oriented approach is focused on helping people deal with irrational beliefs and learn how to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a healthier, more realistic way (Turner, 2016).
How will the worksheet help
This worksheet will help clients identify their irrational and negative beliefs and reshape them into rational and healthy ones? On top of that, it explains the process by which an event can trigger the succession of thought, emotion and behavior.
How to use this worksheet
Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is a form of CBT that uses the ABC to explain the interaction between thoughts, emotions and behaviors. In this approach, A stands for the activating event, B for the belief about the event and C for the consequences (behavioral or emotional response), D for disputing the belief and E for effective new beliefs (Ellis & Dryden, 2007).
With the help of the following example, try to challenge your own irrational beliefs.
ABC REBT Worksheet
| A = activating event | B = belief | C = consequences | D = disputing the belief | E = effective new beliefs |
| My son returns home and goes to his room without speaking to me. | “He is ungrateful and always ignoring me!” | feeling angry and disappointed, start an argument with son | “Is he always ignoring me? He doesn’t usually do this. Maybe something happened. I should talk to him.” | build a parent-child relationship on trust and understanding, both are happy with each other. |
References
Ellis, A., Dryden, W. (2007). The Practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, 2nd Edition. Springer Publishing Company. 10.1891/9780826122179
Turner, M. J. (2016). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Irrational and Rational Beliefs, and the Mental Health of Athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 07. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01423
You can download this worksheet here.