Cognitive Interventions Report

Running Head: COGNITIVE INTERVENTIONS REPORT

Cognitive Interventions Report

MGT 312

University of Phoenix

Roderick Turner

Sunday February 7, 2010

Introduction

Our thoughts and the way we think as humans influence our feelings. Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) is built on the belief that how we respond emotionally at any moment depends on our interpretations, beliefs, and thoughts of the situation (Depression Guide, 2005). In other words, things we think and say to ourselves cause individuals positive or negative emotions. Albert Ellis is the founder of this therapy and this paper will briefly look at some of the techniques associated with RET.

Disputation

Disputation requires clients to challenge their irrational beliefs, to stop them, and to replace them with new, more rational philosophies. When this is successful, it will be noticeable in diminished emotional distress. The main goal is to boost clients’ awareness of these new effects and also to motivate them to continue using the disputational process in a self directed manner even after the completion of the therapy session.

Additional goals to the cognitive approach are available in the disputing of irrational thoughts (Ellis, 1979). RET urges clients to take responsibility for their lives and work out their own problems. With self direction, this goal will allow the client to be true to himself and also make him aware of others. When this therapy is successful, clients accept themselves for whom they are and not for whom they wish they were.

Disputation can occur in three forms; cognitive, imaginal, and behavioral. Regardless of which form is used they all challenge the irrational beliefs of the clients therefore, they are asked to come up with some type of proof to support their beliefs (Dryden, 1986).

The first disputation uses direct questioning and persuasion. Examples of questions used include; “How do you know? and Can you prove it?” (Walen,...