REBT Worksheets

What is a rational emotive behavior therapy or REBT Worksheet?

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a pillar of cognitive behavioral therapy, is a form of therapeutic treatment that helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and potentially irrational beliefs to help ensure these don't result in harmful behaviors. The primary purpose of REBT is to teach the client unconditional self-acceptance, other-acceptance, and life-acceptance.

The core principles of REBT are based on the ABC model. This attempts to show clients that the perception of events can be harmful to psychological states, and by rewiring how one perceives things, one can ultimately improve one's well-being. Because this is such an integral component of REBT, we have designed our worksheet according to the ABC model.

As a type of recognizing and changing cognitive distortions worksheet, this resource has been developed  to be given out to clients who are undergoing rational emotive behavioral therapy or are experiencing anxiety, depression, shame, grief, etc., who can either complete it in their own time or during a cognitive therapy session with you.

In general, the worksheet aims to increase awareness of common cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking and jumping to conclusions, by providing structured prompts and examples for users to reflect on their thoughts and challenge these distortions effectively. Furthermore, it is designed to encourage clients to reflect on their experiences and develop useful tools to assist them in overcoming challenges.

How to use this REBT Worksheet

Check out these simple steps to help you understand how our template can be utilized in your therapy or counseling sessions:

Step 1: Download the worksheet

Open the REBT Worksheet via the Carepatron app by clicking the "Use template" button. This lets you customize the form based on your clinic's specifications. You can also download a PDF version by choosing "Download."

Step 2: Patients complete the worksheet

The next part of the process is to give the worksheet to your patients. It has been designed to be completed primarily by the clients themselves, although you may find you have patients who require some assistance.

Step 3: Use the responses to guide your treatment

The answers that clients leave on the worksheet will give you a good insight into the type of treatment they require. You can use this information to guide your session plans and ensure you are targeting appropriate areas requiring improvement.

Step 4: Store the worksheet securely

Completed REBT Worksheets contain confidential client information, so it is important that you store them in a HIPAA-compliant manner. We recommend using an online EHR system, like Carepatron, that is integrated with robust safeguards to ensure 24/7 protection of client privacy.

Benefits of using our REBT Worksheet template

The REBT Worksheet template additionally has various benefits for you, your healthcare practice, and your clients. These benefits include:

Developing clients' key skills

One of the main treatment methods of therapy is teaching clients skills during sessions that they can then implement into their everyday lives. Using this worksheet is one of the best ways you can ensure that clients effectively adopt these strategies. The worksheet encourages them to reflect on their daily experiences, apply key REBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, and develop coping techniques to manage unchangeable situations and challenge irrational beliefs that cause negative emotions.

Improving workflow

Our REBT Worksheet can also help you improve workflow at your practice. The template is already structured and formatted, eliminating the need to spend time on organizational aspects. You can then get straight to distributing the worksheet to your clients.

Gaining insight into your client's health

The worksheet prompts clients to reflect on different events in their lives and the associated thoughts they had. Obtaining this information directly from a worksheet will allow you to develop a more accurate understanding of your client’s health, which will, in turn, lead to more informed clinical decisions. It will also allow you to identify patterns of negative thinking that may provide insights into the client's mental health.

Increasing patient engagement

As value-based care becomes more prominent in the healthcare industry, finding meaningful ways to engage clients in their care has never been more important. Distributing this worksheet shows your clients that you value their experiences and want to develop a treatment plan that prioritizes their needs. Patient engagement is also another good way to work toward desired outcomes – the more involved and committed your clients are, the more likely they will persist toward their goals.

Formulating better clinical decisions

The information that a therapist or clinical psychologist gathers from a completed REBT Worksheet is particularly useful for developing a treatment plan. With their insight into a client’s condition, they can determine specific areas that require improvement. In turn, the treatment plan can reflect this knowledge, enabling the client to achieve their goals.

Fostering a meaningful client/therapist relationship

Having a strong and meaningful client/therapist relationship is often a very important aspect of therapy. Although there are a range of different ways to achieve this kind of relationship, encouraging your clients to complete a worksheet can be a useful tool. This type of resource shows your clients that you are interested in their perspective and are willing to prioritize their needs and desired outcomes.

Rewiring how clients perceive external events using the ABC model

At the heart of REBT is a desire to change how clients perceive external events. An important component of REBT therapy treatment is encouraging them to reflect on their responses to certain situations and determine possible ways to change these responses. With this worksheet, clients can continuously work toward the goal of improving how they experience their everyday lives.