REBT International Excellence Research Network – the rNetwork
I. Introduction
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is the first form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, founded by the American psychologist Albert Ellis. According to the ABC model of REBT, the impact of various activating events (e.g., the death of a close relative; A) on various psychological consequences (C) is mediated by cognitive processes (cognitions/beliefs; B). REBT focuses on a specific type of cognitions, namely rational and irrational beliefs. Rational beliefs are logically, empirically, and/or pragmatically supported, and generate functional consequences (e.g., functional feelings, adaptive behaviors, healthy psychophysiological reactions). Irrational beliefs are illogical, non-empirical, and/or non-pragmatic, and generate dysfunctional consequences (e.g., dysfunctional feelings, maladaptive behaviors, and unhealthy psychophysiological reactions). REBT has been tested in hundreds of studies, summarized in various meta-analyses/reviews, supporting the main ideas of the original theory and the general efficacy/effectiveness of practice, but also invalidating some proposals of the original model. REBT has often been misrepresented in the field and thus, its potential has not yet been fully exploited. Therefore, REBT supports a progressive research program and innovative practice in the clinical field.
II. International Research in the REBT theory and practice – rNetwork
REBT research is focused on four types of scientific investigations: (1) basic/fundamental/exploratory research; (2) translation research; (3) applied research; (4) development & innovation.
Today, there are hundred of researchers all over the word running research in the REBT field. We aim to include several key research centers/groups/teams/team leaders in the REBT field in an “REBT International Excellence Research Network” (rNetwork – an acronym of the full name, suggesting “Rational Network”). It is not our aim to include all researchers in the REBT field in the rNetwork, but mainly the trends setters in the REBT research. The rNetwork is aimed to be a framework for international collaborations (e.g., publications, joint research, cross-cultural research, grant applications, resources exchanges etc.) in order to investigate REBT theory and practice on rigorous grounds.
As follows, we present the first “Research Affiliates” of the Albert Ellis Institute, members of the “REBT International Excellence Research Network”. The list will be updated continuously. Those interested to join the rNetwork must email to daniel.david@ubbcluj.ro, expressing their interest (Interest Letter) and attaching a CV, which illustrates past research/publications in the REBT field (and/or future projects in the field). World-class researchers who did not run specific research in the REBT field, but would like to start such research projects/programs, are also welcome to apply in order to become a member in the rNetwork.
III. Research affiliates to the Albert Ellis Institute – rNetwork
Cristina Botella et al.
Professor, Ph.D., University Jaume I
REBT/CBT related Interests: Virtual reality (e.g., as relating to functional and dysfunctional feelings in the context of rational and irrational beliefs)
Website: http://www.eita.uji.es/english/who_are_we/menbers/cristina/cristina.htm
Duncan Cramer et al.
Professor, Ph.D., Loughborough University
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice
Daniel David et al.
Professor, Ph.D., Babes-Bolyai University
President of the International Institute of the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice; Neuroscience-based REBT; Virtual reality and robotherapy-based REBT; REBT in the context of cognitive sciences
Windy Dryden et al.
Professor, Ph.D., University of London
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice
Raymond DiGiuseppe et al.
Professor, Ph.D., St John’s University
Head of Department of Psychology
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice
Paul Emmelkamp et al.
Professor, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice; Virtual reality-based REBT
Steven Jay Lynn et al.
Professor, Ph.D., Binghamton University
REBT/CBT related Interests: Fundamentals of REBT theory and practice
Guy Montgomery et al.
Associate professor, Ph.D., Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Director of the Integrative Medicine program
REBT/CBT related Interests: REBT theory and practice in the bio-behavioral medicine (e.g., cancer patients)
Pietri Pietrini, Claudio Gentili, Ioana Cristea et al.
University of Pisa
REBT/CBT related Interests: Neuroscience-based REBT (e.g., the neurobiological underpinnings of rational and irrational beliefs)
Bram Vanderborght et al.
Professor, Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Brussel
REBT/CBT related Interests: Robotherapy (e.g., the use of robots in the therapy of autistic children, with rational and irrational beliefs of children and parents as important factors in treatment)