Dealing With Anger Problems:
Rational-Emotive Therapeutic Interventions
A Practitioner's Resource Series Book

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE THEORY

Historical Context
Goals, Purposes, and Rationality
Responsible Hedonism
Enlightened Self-Interest
Philosophic and Scientific Emphasis
Humanistic Outlook
The ABC Framework

• Three Basic Musts

• A, B, and C Interact

Two Basic Biological Human Tendencies
Theory of Change

CONCEPTUALIZING ANGER PROBLEMS

Anger at Others

• Frustration

• Direct Attack
• Perceived Threat
• Transgression Against a Rule

Anger at Impersonal Objects and Life Conditions
Anger at Self

THE RATIONAL-EMOTIVE TREATMENT SEQUENCE

An Overview of the RET Treatment Sequence
Step 1:  Discuss Goals for Change
Step 2:  Ask for a Specific Example of Your Client's Anger Problem
Step 3:  Assess A

• Identify the Part of A that Triggered B
• Avoid the Following Pitfalls while Assessing A

Step 4:  Determine Whether or Not Your Client Has a Secondary Emotional Problem (and Assess if Appropriate) When to Work on the Secondary Emotional Problem First
Step 5:  Teach the B-C Connection
Step 6:  Assess Irrational Beliefs (iB)
Step 7:  Connect iB and C
Step 8:  Dispute iB
Step 9:  Prepare Your Client to Deepen His Conviction in His Rational Beliefs

• Point Out Why a Weak Conviction in Rational Beliefs Is Insufficient to Promote Change

Step 10:  Encourage Your Client to Put His New Learning into Practice

• Ensure That the Homework Assignment Is Relevant to Changing the Target Irrational Belief
• Collaborate with Your Client
• Encourage Your Client to Carry Out an "Ideal" Homework Assignment but Be Prepared to Compromise
• Assess and Trouble-Shoot Obstacles to Completion of Homework Assignments
• Cognitive Assignments
• Emotive Assignments
• Behavioral Assignments
• Other Assignments

Step 11:  Check Homework Assignments
Step 12:  Facilitate the Working-Through Process

• Suggest Different Homework Assignments to Change the Same Irrational Belief
• Discuss the Nonlinear Model of Change
• Encourage Your Client to Become His Own Therapist

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES