J. Derksen: A critical evaluation of rational-emotive psychotherapy from psychoanalytic insights.
In this article the autor tries to evaluate a therapeutic system from a social-scientific theoretical point of view. Psychoanalytic theory is used as an instrument to evaluate and criticize rational-emotive psychotherapy.
First the most important aspects of rational-emotive therapy are presented. The working method of the rational psychotherapist is placed within Freuds Es-Ich-Ueber-Ich model. The rational psychotherapist, in his way of doing, especially tries to influence the Ueber-Ich and tends to overlook unconscious thoughts and wishes. Too much autonomy, than is justified from psychoanalytic theory and praxis, is ascribed to the Ich. Doing this is not without danger in the therapeutic praxis.
The connection between thoughts and emotions is discussed and it is important, according to the author, that the rational-emotive psychotherapist realizes that thoughts can function as rationalisations and possibly hide motives. The `theory' of the rational therapeutic system does not describe these and other important processes and is therefore very incomplete.