Facilitating rational emotive behavior therapy by including religious beliefs Original Research Article

Though the vast majority of clients will profess religious beliefs and practices, many behavior therapists may be reluctant to include such beliefs and practices in their treatments because they view them as referring to supernatural events and essences that are beyond the scope of the natural, empirical philosophy claimed as the basis for behavior therapy. This is unfortunate because many clients are willing to take therapeutically useful actions based on these beliefs. It is also unnecessary because beliefs about supernatural events, like beliefs about anything, are empirically reportable and functionally testable, even if the events and essences about which these beliefs are held are claimed to be beyond the bounds of naturalistic, empirical inquiry. This article outlines some potentially useful interventions combining the principles and practices of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and religious beliefs.