TREC

Table of Contents:

1. What is TREC?
2. Why is it performed?
3. What does it consist of?
4. Preparation for ECRT
5. Care after the procedure
6. What are the alternatives?

What is ECRT?

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, also known as Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, is a type of psychological therapy within the cognitive behavioral therapies.

It is an active and practical therapy, which is based on the idea that it is not the events that disturb us, but the interpretation we make of them.

During the sessions, different exercises are performed and, in addition, a series of tasks are given to the patient to do at home as a complement to the sessions. In short, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy is a technique that allows to work and solve emotional problems in a brief and effective way.

Why is it done?

This type of therapy is performed with the objective of correctly managing irrational thoughts that make us see reality in a negative way.

These negative thoughts or emotions can be anxiety, depression, anger and guilt, among others. However, TREC is also used to change stressful behaviors, such as harmful eating habits, aggression and procrastination, which are problems that affect people’s quality of life.

In this sense, the work of TREC is focused on trying to change the interpretations that the patient makes and that lead him/her to perform the behaviors that are intended to be changed.

What does it consist of?

During the sessions, the therapist and the patient will work on the rigid thought patterns that, in some way, hinder the patient’s life. The psychologist will help the patient to understand that these thoughts are irrational and harmful, being able to question and change these thoughts.

From this initial step, a series of mental and behavioral exercises will be performed so that the patient can learn to reduce the negative thoughts and replace them with constructive ones.

In this regard, TREC uses tools, including thought reframing, the use of self-help books and positive visualization. In addition, as a complement to the sessions with the therapist, the patient must complete a series of homework assignments to reinforce the knowledge acquired in the sessions.

Preparation for TREC

Before starting the therapy sessions, it is important for the patient to be aware that there are certain irrational thoughts or beliefs that are damaging his or her quality of life. It is not the events that generate these negative effects, but the interpretation of them. The same event can affect two people in very different ways, so that by changing beliefs, emotions can be changed, which is one of the objectives of this type of therapy.

Then, the patient should identify that there are a series of irrational beliefs that affect him/her. Among the most frequent irrational beliefs are the following:

• I need to be loved
• I need to be competent
• It is terrible that some things do not go as I want them to go
• I cannot control my disturbances
• I need others
• The past determines me and will always affect me
• It is easier to avoid difficulties than to face them
• If I continually worry about my problems, I can solve them.
• There is a perfect solution to problems

Aftercare after surgery

Once the therapy sessions are over, the patient will have acquired the necessary learning to rationalize thoughts, so that he/she will be able to manage relapses or solve similar problems by him/herself.

In any case, the patient’s work is fundamental to progress in therapy. The more involved he/she is in the therapy and in the work of the sessions and at home, the shorter the duration will be and the sooner he/she will start noticing the improvement.

Alternatives to this treatment (other more advanced treatments)

There are no more advanced treatments, but alternative treatments such as other types of therapies that would be included within the cognitive-behavioral therapies.