Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), developed by Dr. Albert Ellis in the 1950s, is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It focuses on helping individuals recognize and challenge their irrational beliefs, leading them to develop healthier emotional and behavioral responses to situations. Here are the core principles of REBT:

1. ABC Model:
• A – Activating Event: This refers to the external event or situation that triggers an emotional response.
• B – Beliefs: After the activating event, individuals have certain beliefs about the event. These can be rational or irrational.
• C – Consequences: These are the emotional and behavioral reactions that result from the beliefs.
2. Irrational Beliefs: Ellis identified four core irrational beliefs:
• Catastrophizing: Assuming the worst possible outcome.
• Low frustration tolerance: Believing one cannot bear or stand a particular situation.
• Demandingness: Holding absolute "musts" or "shoulds" about oneself or others.
• Global evaluations or labeling: Rating one's entire self (or others) based on specific behaviors.
3. Disputing Irrational Beliefs: A primary technique in REBT is disputing or challenging these irrational beliefs. The goal is to replace them with more rational or adaptive beliefs.
4. Emotional Responsibility: REBT emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their own emotional reactions, meaning that external events don't directly cause emotions – it's the individual's beliefs about the events that lead to emotional consequences.
5. Holistic Approach: REBT looks at thinking, feeling, and behaving as interrelated and addresses all these areas in therapy.
6. The goal of REBT: The primary goal is to promote emotional well-being by teaching individuals to recognize, challenge, and replace their irrational beliefs.
7. Unconditional Self and Other Acceptance: REBT encourages clients to accept themselves and others unconditionally, regardless of behaviors or actions. This means distinguishing between one's behavior and one's inherent self-worth.
8. Emphasis on Directiveness and Collaboration: REBT therapists often adopt a directive approach, actively teaching and challenging clients. However, the therapy process is also collaborative, with therapists and clients working together to identify and change irrational beliefs.
9. Short-term Focus with Long-term Benefits: REBT is often practiced as a short-term therapy, aimed at teaching clients the skills they can use throughout their lives.
10. Homework Assignments: Therapists frequently assign homework to clients to practice the skills and techniques learned during therapy sessions in real-life situations.

These principles help guide the therapeutic process in REBT and offer a structured approach to addressing and changing maladaptive beliefs and behaviors.