Effectiveness of Outpatient Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Over One Decade

Am J Psychother. 2021 Dec 1;74(4):157-164. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200009. Epub 2021 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article was to explore the effectiveness of rational emotive and cognitive-behavioral therapy (REBT) in a clinical setting.

Methods: This study included 349 patients of the Albert Ellis Institute who sought psychotherapy from 2007 to 2016. Analyses were conducted by using the intent-to-treat principle, and outcomes were measured after three sessions of therapy (to measure early response) and at the end of 20 sessions. Outcome Questionnaire-45 was used to measure patient functioning.

Results: Patients reported significant improvements in their functioning after participating in REBT, with a medium effect size for early response after three sessions of psychotherapy and at the end of the 20 sessions.

Conclusions: The authors' findings documented that REBT can be effectively transported from a research setting to clinical practice.

Keywords: Albert Ellis Institute; CBT; REBT; effectiveness vs. efficacy.

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Outpatients*
  • Psychotherapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires