An NLP View of CBT
By Joe Donahue
When you see Ellis work in a video tape, you will notice quite clearly the heightened state of emotion that is part of his communication style. The content and framework are similar to CBT. Ellis calls his model 'RET' Rational Emotive Therapy. His structure is (A) Environmental or Activating event relates to the emotional Consequences (C) by the intervening Belief (B) "Cognitive Theory Of depression by Aaron T.Beck
The RET model attacks the belief system in a direct, logical and rational manner. The method can be very confrontational if used as Ellis does. It is successful and can be quite disturbing to the client, which it is meant to be. It works well with some clients but may drive others away from help. One has to 'submit' themselves to an authority figure who literally 'pounds away' at their irrational beliefs. The emotional content is very high in this model and by nature will depend in good part on non conscious process that are effected by emotion. Since emotions are not logical or rational, the model has a content and framework that is logical and a communication package that has strong illogical tones. I do not believe Ellis considers the emotional delivery of the therapist as significant to change work as is the content and sequence of argument and query. It is a direct approach.
NLP is non direct and quite covert, although emotion can be a major part of the delivery system. The logic of the approach is not usually apparent to the 'client'. You can 'do' therapeutic intervention while not doing traditional therapy. In my own experience it is closer to the Socratic method using a metaphorical approach, than the 'talking cure' that traditional therapy relies on. In short CBT, RET are detectable, NLP may not be. The rational screen that the client uses to assess NLP methods gets 'tied up' by the often 'left field' approach of the practitioner, making the client more vulnerable to change. CBT attacks an entire system, NLP rewires the command center.
Joe Donahue