What Are REBT and Disputation?
REBT is a form of psychotherapy focused on changing emotional and behavioral problems to empower you to live a fuller life. Through REBT, you will better understand your motivations and how you create irrational or self-defeating thoughts. It is an educational process in which your therapist will work with you to identify these thoughts and practice how to question them and replace them with more productive and rational ideas. Disputation is the process through which you question your irrational thoughts and take a step back to dispute them. In order for you to change your behaviors and lessen your social anxiety, you need to identify the irrational constructs in your thoughts and then actively work to correct them yourself. This is a strategy that can help you continually combat your anxiety.
How Does Your Therapist Help?
Your REBT therapist will actively work with you to identify key issues and correct irrational behaviors. A good therapist is empathetic, persistent, and helps you lead a productive life.
REBT and Disputation Are Hard Work
REBT and disputation are not easy. The process requires a great deal of dedication and effort on your part (and your therapist’s). However, the results can be long-lasting. Outside of your therapy sessions, your therapist will likely assign you homework assignments to work on through your daily routine. These assignments can be as simple as a reflection or as difficult as confronting something you fear head-on, like forcing yourself to attend a party or event that would normally trigger your social anxiety. Through this, you will actively work against your fears.
A Word From Verywell
Through disputation, you become empowered to manage your anxiety by managing future adversity. It a lifelong technique to promote your ability to handle your fears moving forward. Though it is hard work, the effort that you put in now will allow you to reap benefits for years to come. If you feel as though you are living with social anxiety, ask your doctor whether therapy such as REBT might be an option.
