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Rational-emotive behavior therapy, or REBT, can perhaps be summarized by understanding the A-B-C model for psychotherapy. REBT says that the most common mistake people make is in assuming that adversity (A) is responsible, or causes, emotional consequences (C). For example, one might believe that doing poorly on a project at work (the adversity, or A) is what causes them severe anxiety and stress (the consequence, or C). The REBT therapist, however, argues that it is …

…their underlying perceptions, beliefs, and assumptions about what happens to them in life. Because this form of therapy concentrates on the here and now instead of the past, and because therapy tends to begin immediately, it is an excellent technique for brief therapy and marital therapy. While the REBT therapist will care about each client, the therapist will tend to be realistic and straightforward about attacking the irrational or unrealistic beliefs responsible for maladaptive behavior.