Defining Abnormality
Because of the difficulty in distinguishing normal from abnormal behavior, psycholo-
gists have struggled to devise a precise, scientific definition of “abnormal behavior.”
For instance, consider the following definitions, each of which has advantages and
disadvantages:
•  Abnormality as deviation from the average. To employ this statistically based
approach, we simply observe what behaviors are rare or occur infrequently
in a specific society or culture and label those deviations from the norm
“ abnormal.”
  The difficulty with this definition is that some statistically rare behaviors
clearly do not lend themselves to classification as abnormal. If most people pre-
fer to have cornflakes for breakfast but you prefer raisin bran, this deviation
hardly makes your behavior abnormal. Similarly, such a concept of abnormality
would unreasonably label a person who has an unusually high IQ as abnormal,
simply because a high IQ is statistically rare. In short, a definition of abnormality
that rests on deviation from the average is insufficient.
•  Abnormality as deviation from the ideal. An alternative approach considers abnor-
mality in relation to the standard toward which most people are striving—the
ideal. This sort of definition considers behavior abnormal if it deviates enough
from some kind of ideal or cultural standard. However, society has few stan-
dards on which people universally agree. (For example, we would be hard-
pressed to find agreement on whether the New Testament, the Koran, the
Talmud, or the Book of Mormon provides the most reasonable standards.)

What would my commitment be in Counselling?

Therapy is a major commitment, both in terms of time and money. The sessions last for 50 minutes once a week. Although some clients prefer more than one session a week. You are also expected to do some tasks or between sessions activities that can make you practice the new skills and abilities in their real environment. These tasks are agreed between you and your counsellor and have the goal of transferring what you have gained during the sessions to where the problem occurs.

 Research demonstrates that clients who carry out homework assignments get better faster and stay better longer. Your self-help homework might include keeping track of your moods, thoughts and behaviours, scheduling activities, developing goals, challenging your negative thoughts, changing the way you communicate with others, or whatever is deemed necessary for your specific problem.

What does cognitive behavioural therapy involve?

Cognitive behavioural therapy is an active type of psychotherapy,  whereby the client and practitioner talk, act, and work together to achieve agreed therapeutic goals. Clients can expect to work actively within each session, as well as to receive guided assignments to be completed between sessions. These between-session assignments may include behavioural exercises and/or reading. 

Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy  highlights that it is our beliefs, interpretations, and perceptions of life events that determine our feelings, moods, and ultimately, our actions.

Therefore, a universal goal of cognitive behavioural therapy is to help people identify, understand, and modify their belief systems and also their self-defeating behaviours in order to function more effectively and happily.   

What is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy?

REBT is based on the assumption that people's problems are caused mainly by their own attitudes, beliefs, views, perceptions, and thoughts about themselves, others, and the world. Inappropriate emotions can be caused by self-defeating thoughts, while appropriate emotions result from rational thinking. By learning to alter dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, which create upsetting emotions, individuals can improve their ability to deal with their everyday problems, and live more emotionally satisfying and productive lives. Many and varied techniques are used to modify distorted beliefs and behaviours depending on the type of problem the individual presents. Dr. Albert Ellis introduced REBT over 40 years ago.  REBT is practiced by mental health workers, psychologists, counsellors, and educational professionals worldwide.

Basically, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is a system of psychotherapy, which shows individuals how their belief systems largely determine how they feel about and act towards events in their lives. The way we feel depends on the beliefs we hold about the specific event. To illustrate this idea, I will provide the following example:

Three people working for the same firm lose their jobs at the same time.  The first person is angry because she believes she should have been promoted and not sacked; the second person is depressed because she believes that without a job she is worthless; and the third person is happy to have lost her job because she always found it boring.  The important lesson to learn from this story is that although, the loss of the job contributes to the various emotional reactions, it does not cause them: how each individual perceives being made redundant is the key factor in determining these emotional reactions.

How do approaches to therapy vary?

Different therapists work from differing theoretical approaches. The main three approaches are psychodynamic, person-centred and Cognitive Behavioural. Many address, on some level, the influence on current functioning of childhood learning about emotions, power and intimacy. Some focus more on solving problems here and now, some focus more on behaviours, some focus more on thinking and some focus more on emotions.REBT  (One type of Cognitive Behavioural therapy) examines the three above-mentioned elements: Emotions, behaviours and thinking patterns.

REBT as one of the Cognitive-behavioural therapies available, help people achieve specific changes or goals using proven treatments that are firmly based on scientific research. They are effective, often in a brief period of time, and usually focus on current situations rather than past ones.

REBT is used to help people change self-defeating or unhealthy thinking patterns and behaviours to more positive ones. It is also used to treat many kinds of problems and/or to improve your skills. Some of the situations wherecognitive behavioural therapy treatments have been successful include: To feel less depressed or anxious, to be more outgoing, and to help improve people's coping or parenting skills.  

How would I get started?

First, you need to contact meby e-mail (anandthepsychologist@gmail.com). or phone (9884335713).  An appointment will be made as soon as possible. Appointments can be scheduled for mornings from 10.00 or afternoons until 2.00 .


In our first meeting, we will explore your present situation, needs and concerns about therapy. We will come to understand whether it would be appropriate for you to enter therapy at this time, and if so what kind of therapy and approach we can use for your specific concerns and whether or not we would like to work together.  

How do approaches to therapy vary?

Different therapists work from differing theoretical approaches. The main three approaches are psychodynamic, person-centred and Cognitive Behavioural. Many address, on some level, the influence on current functioning of childhood learning about emotions, power and intimacy. Some focus more on solving problems here and now, some focus more on behaviours, some focus more on thinking and some focus more on emotions. (One type of Cognitive Behavioural therapy) examines the three above-mentioned elements: Emotions, behaviours and thinking patterns.