The Catastrophizing Cure: The Compassionate and Empowering Pioneering Cognitive Approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy – Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis

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Additional Information on the work of Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis

At the core of the presentations and writings of Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis is the groundbreaking philosophy and psychological approach of her husband, one of the major pioneers in the field of psychology: Dr Albert Ellis – titled Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

What follows provides some brief background about his contributions and the approach and concludes with some words about the work mission of Dr Joffe Ellis who Albert entrusted to continue his work.

Albert Ellis PhD (1913-2007) was a bold, courageous, and maverick pioneer in the worlds of psychology and psychotherapy. Dedicated to fighting injustices and changing restrictive social norms, he was a major figure in changing general attitudes held by many in the twentieth century, and first decade of the twenty-first century, on women’s rights, racial equality, inter-racial marriage, gay rights, freedom of speech and literature – to name just a few. He introduced his cognitive approach to psychology in 1956 – attracting immense criticism and hostility – in contrast to the then-dominant Freudian approach of psychoanalysis. He persisted, and now the cognitive approach is the most widely practiced approach in the field. The New York Times wrote “Dr Ellis has had such an impact that … clinical psychologists ranked him ahead of Freud when asked to name the figure who had exerted the greatest influence on their field”.

Ellis’ approach is holistic and ethical, attending to the interplay of a person’s beliefs, emotions, and actions, and seeing people as capable of choosing their emotional destiny according to their capacity and willingness to choose rational realistic thinking over irrational thinking.

He asserted that we humans are fallible creatures who can unnecessarily disturb ourselves and prescribed the use of his REBT approach for Un-disturbing ourselves.

He emphasized strongly and vigorously the importance of practicing unconditional self acceptance, unconditional other acceptance, and unconditional life acceptance, which enable healthy tolerance and compassion towards oneself, others and the world.

Dr Ellis did not shy away from controversy – at times he welcomed it as a means of stimulating people to think about rigid out-dated ideas and attitudes – in the hope that they would change their intolerant and self-defeating thoughts into healthier ones. He would vigorously and enthusiastically “rock any boat” if it meant ending or lessening human emotional suffering.

Author of over 80 books and over 1800 articles, Dr Ellis was awarded countless honors in his lifetime within his profession and outside of it, including being named Humanist of the Year (1971). Renowned writer and film director, Dalton Trumbo, wrote of Ellis: “Ah – Albert Ellis! The greatest humanitarian since Gandhi….”. His work has been recognized and admired by millions of people, including world and national leaders such as the Dalai Lama, President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and many more. Many famous writers have incorporated the Ellis approach into their own approaches.

Dr Debbie Joffe Ellis dedicates herself to sharing the life-enhancing and inspiring approach of REBT with as many people as possible.

A clear and easy-to-understand approach, its application brings striking and beneficial results. Its efficiency is fueled by its pragmatic tools along with it philosophical backbone encouraging kindness and compassion.

In addition to creating warm rapport with audience members, Dr Joffe Ellis communicates thoroughly the philosophy, methods and techniques of REBT, teaching clearly the difference between healthy and unhealthy thinking, and often will give live demonstrations of the approach with audience members who volunteer to participate.

She talks on a variety of topics, depending on the audience demographic, in addition to teaching through her role as adjunct professor at Columbia University of NYC. Her audience groups include students, educators, health care professionals, those in the business world, CEOs, and members of the general public. She constantly emphasizes, along with the aspects of REBT, the fact that we all have a choice in how we think, feel, and behave: that we are the creators of our emotional destinies. She reminds us that whilst – as the Buddhists say – suffering is part of life, by accepting what can’t be changed, and changing any adverse conditions which can be changed – we can minimize our emotional suffering and maximize the experience of joy.