Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescents

Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescentswas written to give readers insight into the authentic workings of REBT with school-aged populations. Casebooks are excellent learning tools, but there is a significant difference between describing therapeutic interventions and showing exactly how experienced therapists use precise language, analogies, and other "tricks of the trade" to bring about a therapeutic result. Readers of this text will feel as though they have a "ringside seat" on treating children by reading verbatim sessions focusing on a wide range of problems facing children and adolescents today. The idea for this project came fromGrowth Through Reason(Ellis, 1971), also a casebook of verbatim transcripts of REBT sessions, albeit with adult clients. As a young therapist I (JW) foundGrowth Through Reasonto be an invaluable resource and learned much from the cases Ellis and other therapists presented. I read and reread cases and found that being able to pick apart the therapist's language was critical to my development. I could place myself into the session and think, "How would I have responded to that statement by the client?" It was as if I had six different tutors helping me learn different applications of REBT. The book also shattered one of my misconceptions about REBT, namely that REBT had to be done the way Albert Ellis did it! There are numerous ways to use REBT, and the strength ofCase Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescentslies in offering the reader an opportunity to glean from the styles of several experienced therapists. My only disappointment withGrowth Through Reasonhad to do with the fact that of the six cases, only one was with an adolescent and none were with children.Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescentsis designed to provide child and adolescent therapists the same type of inside perspective that is so valuable. The subject matter in these case studies is varied to give readers glimpses into sessions on anger management, peer pressure, self-esteem issues, bed-wetting, perfectionism, and weight control. Following each case there is insightful discussion of the sessions. Albert Ellis and I give our frank reactions to the sessions, which may clarify issues or help the reader think about the choices the therapists made during the session. Psychotherapy is a difficult undertaking, and therapy with children and adolescents presents additional roadblocks.Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescentswill allow novice and seasoned professionals alike to learn from the skills of experienced REBT therapists. This text will help its readers fully learn REBT and give new and experienced therapists some new ideas to consider. Jerry Wilde, Ph.D. I am very happy that this book includes a number of verbatim case studies that honestly present several unique ways REBT can be done. It is, I think, a splendid addition to the professional literature. Albert Ellis, Ph.D. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank the therapists who contributed to this book because without you, the book would not have been possible. By sharing your skills with the next generation of therapists, you have allowed helpers to do a better job of helping. Readers of this book will most likely never know you or the clients you have helped but will know that your contributions are sincerely appreciated. Michelle Young allowed us to use her husband's work in the book and for that we are grateful; we also know this book is better because of Howard Young's transcript. His ability to disarm even the most resistant clients could never be appreciated without using an actual transcript from him. His session is a great way to start this book. ChrisJerry Wilde is the author of 'Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescents', published 2001 under ISBN 9780130872814 and ISBN 0130872814.