ABSTRACT
In our experience, the most effective REBT practitioners are those who are creative and continually discover new techniques. This creative process depends on the ability to think laterally and use everyday occurrences as stimuli to creative thinking. Let me (WD) give a personal example of this creative process in action. About a year ago, I was strolling in a shopping centre when I passed a shop that had a variety of novelty products on sale, including large red and yellow plastic swords. I did not immediately think of how these could be used in REBT, but after walking along the road for a further 25 yards an idea came to me. I thought of the following dramatic way in which I could use the swords to help my clients strengthen their rational beliefs and weaken their irrational beliefs. Once I have disputed one of my client’s irrationalities, I bring out the swords and hand the client the red sword (R stands for rational) and I take the yellow sword (Y stands for irrational; unfortunately, they had no swords in indigo!). I then explain to my client that we are going to engage in a game of rational sword fencing. My task is to use my irrational sword to disarm my client’s rational sword and win the fight. The client’s task is to vanquish my irrational sword with her rational one. I instruct my client to be as vigorous as possible in stating her rational belief and hitting my sword. I then attack her rational argument by stating the contrary irrational belief while hitting her sword. This technique works particularly well in group therapy where the members have a good relationship with one another and where they do not consider the use of this method patronizing or belittling.
