The Authentic Use of Albert Ellis Irrational Beliefs with Christian Clients

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No words can express my appreciation and gratitude to my research advisor _______ through the course of this research, Professor _____has taught me numerous values that extend well beyond the realm of _________ (Your Subject Name). His emphasis on dedication to work and his valuable and practical insights of life are some of the major highlights of my education at The University _________. To Professor _____, I say with great respect, thank you very much.

It is a great honour for me to have Professor _______ on my dissertation committee. His insightful suggestions and comments are a major asset to this research. I learned so much from Professor ______, and I will always remember him as a truly superb teacher. To Professor _____, I am greatly indebted.

I would like to thank Professor ______ for his contribution to this research. Professor _____ has provided me with essential input and guidance as an outside member of my committee. His remarks and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank _____________ for the support they had provided me throughout the research project.

I would like to thank _____________ for their support and help in this research.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for the academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The rational emotive behavior therapy of Albert Ellis is a classical theory for inducing cognitive change in a person, helping him make changes in his cognition, and get rid of his problems. The theory of Albert Ellis, based on his irrational beliefs is based on his 11 irrational beliefs, and the theory of Albert Ellis basically counters these beliefs in a person. Since, Albert Ellis was an atheist his theory is based on the principles of atheism as he had proposed to make changes in the basic beliefs of the client. This research has modified the therapy of Albert Ellis so that it could be applied on Christian clients, as well. The research had studied the basic Christian beliefs in detail and modified the model accordingly. Furthermore, this research has proposed a draft distorted relational beliefs questionnaire.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Situation of the study1

1.2 Case vignette4

1.3 Prevailing clinical approach to similar cases6

1.4 Description of project development6

1.5 Research questions8

1.6 Significance of the study9

1.7 Rationale of the study11

1.8 Expected contributions to current body of knowledge13

1.9 Review of relevant literature15

CHAPTER 2: INTEGRATED LITERATURE REVIEW19

2.1 Cognitive Dissonance Theory19

2.2 The Occurrence and Persistence of Dissonance20

2.3 Changing a Behavioral Cognitive Element21

2.4 A review of religious Literature22

2.4.1 Beliefs and Cognitive Distortion26

2.5 Biblically accurate beliefs about God28

2.6 Attributes about God29

2.6.1 Spirituality30

2.6.2 Personality30

2.6.3 Life30

2.6.4 Eternality31

2.6.5 Self-sufficiency31

2.6.6 Infinitude31

2.6.7 Omnipresence32

2.6.8 Transcendence32

2.6.9 Omniscience32

2.6.10 Wisdom33

2.6.11 Omnipotence33

2.6.12 Immutability34

2.6.13 Sovereignty34

2.6.14 Distorted beliefs about God34

2.7 Psychoanalytic psychotherapy36

2.8 Adlerian Psychotherapy or Individual Psychology37

2.9 Analytical (Jungian) ...