Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy: A Positive Perspective

Through his development of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Albert Ellis was a major contributor to the development
of cognitive behaviour therapy. This article reviews key aspects of REBT, the distinction between unhealthy and healthy emotions,
and the role irrational and rational beliefs play in relation to these emotions. As with other areas of psychology, the focus
of REBT over the years has been dominated by negative emotional experiences. In an attempt to address this and further develop
REBT, the present article reviews recent claims from the realm of social psychology that positive illusions promote mental
health. Consequently, it is proposed that a similar dichotomy of healthy and unhealthy positive emotions also exists, and
a basic framework for working with this positive dichotomy is introduced.