ABSTRACT
The psychology of athletic injuries has been much investigated in past research (Smith, et al., 1990; Johnston & Carroll, 2000). However, very little research has explored the application of REBT on injured athletes. In this chapter, the application of REBT is presented using a basketball player who suffered a rupture of the tendons in her knee during a competitive game. The athlete, Deniz, was 19 years old. REBT was applied in relation to the athlete’s decreased self-confidence, which was leading to a decline in performance. It was also used to address the athlete’s fear of injury and her fear of returning to challenging games in the league. Psychological support was provided to help her return to play following injury, with work continuing after she had returned. Examples of disputing irrational self-depreciation beliefs, role-playing, imagery, goal-setting, and the general ABCDE model as used in the case are illustrated in this chapter. In order to collect evidence on the effectiveness of REBT, psychological measurements were taken before, during, and at the end of the treatment.
