REBT and Christian Principles Rational Emotive Behavioral

REBT and Christian Principles

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Christian Principles in Young Adults

The goal of rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is to help people address and resolve behavioral and emotional problems so that they can lead fuller, happier, and better lives (Dryden, 2005). In many ways, Christian principles are similar, as a relationship with Jesus Christ often helps people live their lives in better ways, feel happier, and find a sense of fulfillment (Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). Getting the two to work together, though, can be somewhat difficult because psychology and religion have long been at odds when it comes to how issues from the past should be handled. This does not mean that psychology and religion cannot work together, though, and because there are ways to tie them together it is possible to use both to help young adults with the issues with which they struggle as they grow and mature in society.

First, one has to look at REBT itself. Helping people address and accept emotional and behavioral issues that are currently in their lives or that are being dredged up from their past is a valid and important goal (Ellis, Abrams, & Abrams, 2008). Counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists are, as a whole, deeply committed to ensuring that people are able to work through the difficulties they face and lead lives that make them happy and content. Fulfillment of goals and desires is important, but feeling fulfilled as a human being is something that comes from within and that can be hindered by emotional and behavioral baggage (Ellis & Dryden, 2007). With REBT, the acknowledgement of these issues must come first. Then, the working through of the issues becomes the focus. The specific technique used is talk therapy, because medication is not going to cause someone to forget about his or her emotional or behavioral issues or work through them in a healthy way.

Second, it is very important to look at the main values and tenets of Christianity when it comes to how people relate to themselves, one another, and their pasts. The belief in Christ and His death and resurrection is at the core of Christianity, but there is much more to it than that (Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). For example, those who believe that God makes people a certain way for a reason, and that He does not make mistakes, must rationalize that the emotional and behavioral issues they are facing are for a purpose. These issues may be to teach them something, or they may be to teach someone else something, but they are not just burdens to bear (Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). Seeing these issues as valuable learning tools instead of just painful problems, though, can take time and work. Especially with young people who may not be as capable of coping with problems and issues in life, there can be many fears and difficult moments when dealing with emotional and behavioral issues without any kind of counseling, help, or support.

The third issue to face when considering Christian principles and REBT is that young adults are often different in how they look at the world than older people. It is very important for anyone working with them to be clearly aware of that so that information presented to these younger people can be presented in a way to which they can fully respond. As society becomes more secular, these younger people may not get any kind of Christian education at home. They are certainly not getting it in school anymore, and if they do not have peers who are religious, they may know little about God and His love for them. Not all young people who hear about God want a relationship with Him, but when it can be incorporated into REBT techniques and tools, they are likely to be more receptive (Dryden, 2005; Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). Overdoing the "religious" aspect of counseling with those who are not religious may turn them away from getting help, so a balance must be sought.

For teenagers and those who are still very young, there is a great deal of peer pressure. If a young person's peers do not feel that Christianity is "cool," it will be more difficult to get that young person to be receptive to it. However, there is a way to address Christianity without discussing the Bible all the time or always mentioning God or Jesus. Many of the beliefs that people hold about being kind to others and loving others are from the Bible, but not everyone realizes this (Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). Teaching these kinds of principles when it comes to loving oneself can be part of counseling for behavioral and emotional issues. Often, people feel poorly about themselves because they have made mistakes in the past or because they have a behavior that they do not like that is part of their life (Dryden, 2005). Struggling with those kinds of issues is something that many young people face. When they are coupled with peer pressure and pressure from parents and educators, the stress can become unbearable -- which is where counseling and mental health assistance comes in.

A fourth and final issue that must be addressed comes into play with leadership approaches and techniques for a small group setting. Young people are treated through REBT most often in groups, and they also spend time in groups with other Christian friends (Ellis & Dryden, 2007; Nielsen, Johnson, & Ellis, 2001). The approach of the group leader and the techniques that are used to get the information across to the entire group are vital to a proper melding of Christian principles and REBT techniques for young adults. While it is possible to work with young people one-on-one, it is actually better to work with them in group settings (Dryden, 2005). People have a natural desire to share with others who are going through the same issues, and they have a natural desire to be accepted (Ellis, Abrams, & Abrams, 2008). Young people who can clearly see that they are not alone are more likely to open up about their problems, and both give and receive support.