ABSTRACT
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is the only theoretical perspective in psychotherapy that keenly discriminates between healthy and unhealthy negative emotions, although there is not strong empirical evidence to support this distinction. As an REBT therapist, you will see those unhealthy negative emotions listed above as preventing your clients living emotionally healthy lives and therefore you will suggest to your clients that you both target them for change. However, you need to be aware that your clients may have very different views on this issue and may interpret your emotional lexicon differently. Consider the effect on the therapeutic alliance of encouraging clients to overcome their anxiety when they see it as enhancing their performance; or give up their feelings of guilt when they view guilt as a protection against wrongdoing. In the first case, you will be seen as discouraging achievement and in the second case encouraging immorality.
