Abstract
In this article, the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) approach to procrastination is outlined and demonstrated using the transcript of a session conducted in the REBT “Master Therapists” DVD Series (Dryden in Overcoming Procrastination: Master Therapists DVD series, Albert Ellis Institute, New York, 2008). A commentary provides links between the demonstration session and the general approach. The session provides particular emphasis on helping procrastinating clients develop an attitude of discomfort tolerance and the need to focus on specific examples of procrastination and the specific rational beliefs that must be acted on in order to replace procrastination with task engagement.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
In this paper, the therapist is female and the client is male.
The verbatim transcript appears here by kind permission of the Albert Ellis Institute.
References
Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. New York: International Universities Press.
Bordin, E. S. (1979). The generalizability of the psychoanalytic concept of the working alliance. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 16(3), 252–260.
DiGiuseppe, R. (1991a). The rational-emotive model of assessment. In M. Bernard (Ed.), Using rational-emotive therapy effectively (pp. 151–172). New York: Plenum.
DiGiuseppe, R. (1991b). Comprehensive cognitive disputing in rational-emotive therapy. In M. Bernard (Ed.), Using rational-emotive therapy effectively (pp. 173–195). New York: Plenum.
Dryden, W. (1990). Self-disclosure in rational-emotive therapy. In G. Stricker & M. N. Fisher (Eds.), Self-disclosure in the therapeutic relationship (pp. 61–74). New York: Plenum.
Dryden, W. (1996). Overcoming anger: When anger helps and when it hurts. London: Sheldon Press.
Dryden, W. (1997). Overcoming shame. London: Sheldon.
Dryden, W. (1999). Beyond LFT and discomfort disturbance: The case for the term “non-ego disturbance”. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 17(3), 165–200.
Dryden, W. (2000). Overcoming procrastination. London: Sheldon.
Dryden, W. (2006). Counselling in a nutshell. London: Sage.
Dryden, W. (2008). Overcoming procrastination: Master therapists DVD series. New York: Albert Ellis Institute.
Dryden, W. (2009a). Understanding emotional problems: The REBT perspective. Hove, East Sussex: Routledge.
Dryden, W. (2009b). Rational emotive behaviour therapy: Distinctive features. London: Routledge.
Dryden, W. (2009c). How to think and intervene like an REBT therapist. Hove, East Sussex: Routledge.
Dryden, W., & Branch, R. (2008). The fundamentals of rational emotive behaviour therapy: A training handbook (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.
Ellis, A. (1979). Discomfort anxiety: A new cognitive behavioral construct. Part I. Rational Living, 14(2), 3–8.
Ellis, A. (1980). Discomfort anxiety: A new cognitive behavioral construct. Part 2. Rational Living, 15(1), 25–30.
Ellis, A., & Knaus, W. J. (1977). Overcoming procrastination. New York: Institute for Rational Living.
Harrington, N. (2005). It’s too difficult! Frustration intolerance beliefs and procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences, 39, 873–883.
McCrea, S. M., Liberman, N., Trope, Y., & Sherman, S. J. (2008). Construal level and procrastination. Psychological Science, 19, 1308–1314.
Neenan, M. (2008). Tackling procrastination: An REBT perspective for coaches. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Special issue on cognitive-behavioural coaching, 26(1), 53–62.
Spada, M. M., Hiou, K., & Nikcevic, A. V. (2006). Metacognitions, emotions and procrastination. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly, 20, 319–326.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dryden, W. Dealing with Procrastination: The REBT Approach and a Demonstration Session. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 30, 264–281 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0152-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-012-0152-x