Final answer:
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy aimed at identifying and changing irrational thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Uncovering the patterns of thinking and assumptions behind maladaptive behavior and then assessing their validity is at the core of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). This therapeutic approach, developed by Albert Ellis, is focused on identifying irrational beliefs that lead to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. The therapist works with the client to challenge and reformulate these beliefs into more rational and adaptive thoughts, therefore altering the maladaptive behavior.
REBT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shaped by both behaviorism and the cognitive revolution, influencing the techniques used in clinical psychology. By recognizing and disputing irrational thought patterns, the individual can develop healthier emotional responses and behaviors, illustrating the cognitive-behavioral model as depicted in Figure 1.16.