What is the difference between these two approaches?

Rational Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are similar in that they both recognise that the ways in which we think and behave has a great impact on how we feel and whether we respond healthily or unhealthily to life’s difficulties and challenges.  The difference between Rational Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (RECBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is that CBT targets thinking and behaviour simultaneously and RECBT targets thinking and beliefs before behaviour.  In practice the approaches are difficult to tell apart and experienced therapists trained in both approaches will use whichever is most suited to the individual client.  Both approaches primarily address the 'here and now' (whilst being mindful of past events) to help you to recognise how you are maintaining your problems and both approaches aim to help you gain insight into your thinking, attitudes and behaviour so that you can change them to something more helpful.  Both approaches are collaborative and aim to teach the individual strategies to manage their own emotions effectively outside and beyond the sessions. 

​There are some reading recommendations on the 'Useful Reading' page of this site which explain the approaches in more detail.


 
 
 

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