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Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) at Simonds Recovery Centers is an action-oriented talk therapy that helps people identify and change the irrational beliefs behind substance use. Delivered by licensed therapists at our Granada Hills facility in Los Angeles, REBT is part of addiction treatment across detox, residential, and outpatient care, and works alongside CBT and other behavioral therapies.
What REBT is
Rational emotive behavior therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that treats addiction by changing the beliefs that drive it. Developed by psychologist Albert Ellis in the 1950s, REBT is built on a single idea: it is not events themselves that cause distress, but the beliefs people hold about those events. In addiction, beliefs like “I need a substance to cope” fuel use, and REBT works by challenging and replacing them.
REBT is action-oriented and practical. Rather than only exploring the past, it focuses on the beliefs operating now and the specific changes that reduce substance use.
The ABC model
The ABC model is the framework at the center of REBT. It maps how beliefs, not events, produce emotional and behavioral consequences, and it gives both therapist and client a clear structure to work from.
A stands for the activating event, the situation that sets off a reaction. B is the belief held about that event, which is where the real driver sits. C is the consequence, the emotional and behavioral result, which in addiction often means cravings or substance use. REBT adds D, disputing the irrational belief, and E, the new effect that follows once a healthier belief takes its place. Working through this sequence is how a person learns to break the link between a trigger and substance use.
A simple example shows how it works. The activating event (A) is a stressful day at work. The irrational belief (B) is “I can’t cope with this without a drink.” The consequence (C) is craving and drinking. Disputing that belief (D) means questioning whether it is actually true, and the new effect (E) is recognizing that stress is manageable with healthier coping skills, which reduces the urge to drink. The same sequence applies across triggers and substances.
How REBT treats addiction
REBT treats addiction by targeting the irrational beliefs that keep substance use going and replacing them with realistic ones. A person learns to recognize beliefs such as “I can’t handle stress without using,” dispute them directly, and act on a more rational view.
The work uses specific techniques, including cognitive restructuring to reframe distorted thinking and disputation to challenge beliefs that do not hold up. As these beliefs change, the emotions and behaviors tied to them change too, which lowers the pull toward substances and supports steadier recovery.
REBT vs. CBT
REBT and CBT are closely related, and REBT is considered one of the earliest forms of CBT, but they emphasize different things. REBT focuses on core irrational beliefs and the philosophy a person holds about themselves and the world. CBT focuses more broadly on identifying and changing the specific cognitive distortions and behaviors linked to substance use. The table below shows the main differences between CBT and REBT.
REBT vs. CBT: how they compare
| Dimension | REBT | CBT |
| Main focus | Core irrational beliefs and underlying philosophy | Specific distorted thoughts and behaviors |
| Framework | The ABC (ABCDE) model | Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors cycle |
| Approach | Directly disputes irrational beliefs | Identifies and restructures distorted thoughts |
| Relationship | An earlier, foundational form of CBT | The broader, most widely used method |
| Often suits | Rigid, self-defeating beliefs; anger, anxiety, low self-worth | Most people in addiction treatment |
In practice the two work well together, and most treatment plans use elements of both. Our programs offer REBT and CBT as part of the same continuum, matched to what each person needs.
Who REBT helps
REBT helps people whose substance use is tied to rigid, self-defeating beliefs, and it is well suited to those who also struggle with anxiety, anger, or low self-worth. Because it is structured and skills-based, it works for people who want practical tools they can apply between sessions rather than open-ended talk therapy alone.
It is delivered in both individual and group settings as one part of a complete treatment plan, not a standalone fix.
How REBT fits into treatment
REBT runs throughout the continuum of care at Simonds, from medical detox through residential treatment and into partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP). The beliefs worked on early in treatment are revisited as a person moves through the levels of care, so the changes hold as clinical intensity steps down.
Pairing REBT with medical care, and with medication-assisted treatment where appropriate, addresses both the thinking behind addiction and its physical side together.
Insurance and getting started
REBT is part of the treatment programs we provide, and most major insurance plans cover addiction treatment that includes it. We work with carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Humana, among others, and our admissions team confirms your specific benefits before you arrive.
Verifying benefits takes a few minutes and carries no obligation. Submit the insurance verification form or call +1 (833) 781-8338.
Medically reviewed by
Chris Small, M.D. Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Small is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
Start treatment built around how you think
Talk to our admissions team about REBT as part of your treatment. Call +1 (833) 781-8338 or verify your insurance now.
