Problem
Tina is a 28-year-old stay-at-home mother of two. She recently divorced her college sweetheart after five years of marriage. She is seeking counseling with Dr. Dubroca, an REBT therapist, to discuss her fears of attending her upcoming high school reunion. In therapy, Tina explains that she is worried about feeling embarrassed and awkward in front of her classmates. She was the valedictorian or her graduating year and voted most likely to succeed. After high school, Tina attended college, but decided to stay at home to rear her children while her husband, Jeff, worked. She reports that since the divorce, she has often wondered who she is outside of being a mother and a wife. Tina also reports that she was very fit and active in high school and believes that she has really "let herself go" since she became a mother. In recent months, she has begun a grueling workout routine to help her get back in shape before the reunion. Tina worries that even if she is able to lose the weight that she wants to lose, she will still feel like a failure in front of her classmates.
A. From an REBT perspective, what is the activating event that is fueling Tina's irrational beliefs?
B. What are Tina's irrational beliefs?
C. What are the consequences of Tina's irrational beliefs?
D. How might Dr. Dubroca dispute Tina's irrational beliefs?
E. What are some rational thoughts that Tina might use to replace her irrational beliefs?