Rational emotive therapy, also commonly known as rational emotive therapy, is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at helping visitors overcome emotional distress caused by irrational beliefs. It can be understood from its core theory, basic principles, treatment goals, and other aspects.

Core theory 

The core theory of rational emotion therapy is the ABC theory, where A represents the triggering event, which is a specific external event that occurs. B represents people's views, interpretations, and evaluations of this event, that is, the individual's cognitive or belief system. C represents the individual's emotional response and behavioral outcome following this event. This theory suggests that it is not external events that directly lead to emotional and behavioral responses, but rather individuals' cognition or beliefs about the event play a more direct role in it. Therefore, the key to changing emotional distress lies in adjusting or changing unreasonable cognition or beliefs.

 Basic principle 

The importance of cognition: Emphasizing that emotional and behavioral problems mainly stem from individuals' irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions.

The changeability of beliefs: It is believed that an individual's beliefs can be challenged and changed, and through rational analysis and logical reasoning, unreasonable beliefs can be corrected.

Improvement of behavior: While changing cognition, combining behavior correction techniques to help visitors improve bad behavior.

Treatment objective 

Short term goal: To reduce the emotional distress and negative consequences of visitors' current irrational beliefs, that is, imperfect goals.

Long term goal: To help visitors change the irrational elements in their life philosophy, learn realistic and rational ways of thinking, and reduce the tendency for future emotional distress and behavioral disorders, which is the perfect goal.

Rational emotion therapy is widely used in the treatment of various emotional and behavioral problems, such as anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal relationship problems, etc. By adjusting cognition, emotional and behavioral problems can be improved, thereby achieving comprehensive growth and development of individuals.