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~~~ Introduction
Over the past few months we have continued to develop resources to support the development of both Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT), and related counselling and therapy systems. In this issue, you will find nine new items, including links to: papers, videos, audio-enhanced PowerPoint presentations, e-books and other resources. These resources relate to the subjects of happiness, stress, anxiety, physical exercise, APA ethics, chronic pain, rational therapy (REBT/CBT), CENT counselling, and childhood trauma. We hope you find this material interesting and helpful. Seasons greetings. Dr Jim Byrne ABC Coaching and Counselling Services and the Institute for Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (I-CENT). ~~~ 1. The Psychology and Philosophy of Happiness - CENT Paper No.15
The psychology of happiness, as explored by Positive Psychology researchers, says that we have to develop our virtues and our strengths, and to live from our virtues and our strengths, in order to be optimally happy. (See the work of Dr Martin Seligman and others, especially Seligman's book, 'Authentic Happiness'). Being virtuous is not difficult to understand. It involves being honest and compassionate and charitable, and avoiding harming others. It also involves being brave in the face of life's difficulties. It especially involves not playing the game of the neo-liberal promoters of social inequality. Equality is better for EVERYBODY, and so living a virtuous life necessarily involves being pro-social and anti-individualistic, and anti-materialistic. The Stoic philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome were clear about this: that in order to live the good life, one has to live a good (moral) life. Grabbing goodies from greed and insecurity is the path to unhappiness. Material possessions cannot make you happy, once you have reached subsistence level! ...For more, go to: The psychology of happiness: a paper*** ~~~ 2. The importance of physical exercise, and its remarkable benefits by Renata Taylor-Byrne and Jim Byrne
However, the tendency towards laziness, which is endemic in each of us, tends, over time, to drag us back to inactivity - to couch potato status. This is one of the problems. It takes real commitment and determination to exercise our bodies day after day after day. And that is what is required, because the benefits of physical exercise, which are actually remarkable, drain away after only a few days of inactivity. That was why we were so excited about finding a wonderful book - Spark: How exercise will improve the performance of your brain - because it gives us dozens of good reasons to keep persisting in our daily exercise. (The authors are Dr John Ratey and Eric Hagerman; and the book was published by Quercus, in London, in 2009). In this brief paper, we will review about one dozen of those good reasons. Go here for more on the importance of physical exercise...*** ~~~ 3. The story of Daniel O'Beeve's childhood:
The Institute for CENT agreed to publish the somewhat fictionalized memoir of Daniel O'Beeve's childhood in Ireland because of its psychologically curative potential. All humans live within stories, and stories are the medium through which we understand ourselves and each other. And some stories contribute greatly to our emotional development and maturity. Book Description "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body". This is a memoir of childhood in Catholic Ireland, 1946-1964. The story of Daniel O'Beeve begins when his rural Irish
parents are forced to move to the city of Dublin for work and a place to live, in the winter of 1947, when Daniel was eighteen
months old. ...For more, go to: the Story of Daniel O'Beeve...*** ~~~ 4. How to Control Your Anxiety: A Rational Approach, using REBT/CBT, by Dr Jim Byrne
In this manual I will be contrasting anxiety against concern. Anxiety, as I have just hinted, is an unhelpful negative emotion, while concern is a helpful negative emotion. For more, go to How to control your anxiety...*** ~~~ ~~~ 5. How to Reduce and Control Your Stress Level, and to Have a Happier Life: The CENT approach
The purpose of this book is to teach the reader what stress
is, and how to combat it. It is written in the form of a self-help manual, with spaces for self-reflection exercises. However,
it could also be used by counsellors, psychologists, counselling students, stress management coaches, teachers, and interested
others, as a means to learn, understand and present the CENT approach to Stress Management in counselling, coaching and therapy
contexts. ...For
more, go to: How to control your stress level...*** ~~~ 5(b): PS: CENT Counselling: How to apply Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT) in counselling and self-help. By Dr Jim Byrne
It is the second, briefer, more popular of two e-books on Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT), by Dr Jim Byrne. This book was designed to answer the most common questions asked by counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling and therapy students, counselling and therapy clients, and self-help enthusiasts, about the nature of CENT, how to learn it, and how to apply it in practice, to individual counselling, couple's therapy, and self management. The main aim is to demonstrate how to integrate CBT/REBT, Transactional Analysis (TA), Attachment Theory, Object Relations and Zen philosophy and Moral philosophy. Most of the material in this book was specially written for this edition, and was not included in any of the published CENT papers, or in the first e-book on CENT (although there are, inevitably, some areas of overlap). ...For more, go to CENT Counselling: How to apply it...*** ~~~ 6. Counselling for chronic pain: Tim Parks' book: Teach us to sit still - or how to use relaxation and meditation to heal your body
Dr Bach Many individuals are disappointed by the failure of the modern, western medical establishment to help them to heal. Western medicine seems to have serious limitations in terms of its theory of disease. Although it seems to be trying to modernise itself, and to take the body-mind link increasingly into account, there is, sadly, a long way to go. The three major errors which seem to be most pervasive among the most backward looking medics include: the germ theory of disease (which ignores the internal basis for disease - and promotes dependence upon the drugs of big pharma); treating the body as separable from the mind; and treating the body as a machine which can be repaired, surgically or chemically, (rather than seeing it as part of a mind-body organism which can be kept healthy by proper approaches to living: including diet, exercise, relaxation, emotional intelligence, etc). When new books emerge that point to possibilities beyond conventional western medicine, I always sit up and take notice. Here is an extract from a review (at Amazon dot com) of Tim Parks' book, Teach Us to Sit Still: A sceptic's search for health and healing. London: Harvill Secker / Random House. 2010. "Teach Us to Sit Still will be of great interest to anyone with a chronic medical condition which the doctors seem unable to cure, but also to anyone who is concerned about work/life balance and the long-term effects of ignoring the body's needs. I can't say I'm in either of those categories but I still found it a fascinating read. But the book is not only about pain and a quest for healing, for Tim, being the writer and scholar that he is, digresses frequently into philosophical and literary themes which break up the stark accounts of medical processes." For more, please go to: Teach us to sit still...*** ~~~ 7. New resources for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT):
(a) Two new videos on REBT: Including three lectures on REBT... (b) Two PowerPoint presentations on REBT, with audio soundtracks: Including one on the structure of REBT sessions... All of these are available on the ‘What is REBT?' page*** ~~~ ~~~ 8. A new article by Dr Ken Pope...
For more, go to Are the American Psychological Association's Detainee Interrogation Policies Ethical and Effective? Key Claims, Documents, and Results.*** ~~~ That's all for this issue. Best wishes, Jim Dr Jim Byrne, Doctor of Counselling, ABC Coaching and Counselling Services Email: Jim.byrne@abc-counselling.com Telephone: 44 1422 843 629 (from outside the UK); 01422 843 629 (from inside the UK). Homepage: http://www.abc-counselling.com/ ~~~ ♦THE ABC NEWSLETTER♦ ◊September/October 2011◊ Introduction Hello and welcome to the September/October issue of the ABC Newsletter. In this issue, we want to introduce ten or more new items, including: two papers on 'completing' emotional experiences; some new video clips on Stoic Philosophy and couple relationships; two tributes to Dr Albert Ellis; and much more besides. 1. Three videos on Stoic Philosophy
Many counsellors may be curious about how to incorporate elements of philosophy into their counselling practice, and this page has been created to provide some ideas for counsellors with that kind of goal in mind; as well as for self-help enthusiasts. Philosophy is as natural for a human being as grazing is for a cow. We are natural philosophers, and the work of those who wish to control us is to feed us false philosophies (like feeding polluted food to a cow). If you take your philosophy from the mass media, or state funded education systems, how do you know that your ideas are even reasonably valid, or the best way to promote a thriving society? If you work in counselling and therapy, or use counselling and therapy services, or self help resources, then you need to beware of being enrolled into philosophies that work against you. And you need to beware of passing on defective philosophies that you do not fully understand. To continue with this text, and to see the three video clips, click the link that follows: ~~~ 2. How to clear up anger problems that stem from undigested past experience: The case of Philip Robinson:
~~~ The Problem Essentially, we have a problem as humans in that we dislike experiencing pain, or unpleasant feelings (or unpleasure). Therefore, we often resist it, deny it, and repress it out of conscious awareness. Once we repress it, we also tend (non-consciously) to project it into our environment[1], and deal with it there. This causes serious difficulties, since we can never solve a problem which is non-conscious by projecting it onto somebody else, and attacking it or fleeing from it there. [1] What does it mean, ‘to project' something ‘into your environment'? According to my dictionary of psychology, ‘projection' is "a defence mechanism in which intolerable, feelings, impulses or thoughts are falsely attributed to other people". (Page 288 of Colman, 2002). One example of this would be the person who hates certain of their own characteristics, traits or behaviours, represses them into non-consciousness, and then projects them onto a racial minority, and (safely) attacks them there. Another example could be an angry person who cannot accept their own anger, so they repress it, and then project it onto dogs, or unruly teenagers, and feel exaggeratedly fearful of it there. [1] The concepts of ‘framing' and ‘reframing' refer to the fact that humans do not look directly at what they see, but rather they interpret the images and sensations picked up by their senses. This is equivalent to ‘looking through a frame', or a ‘tinted lens' to make sense of our sensations and create our perceptions. My dictionary of psychology says that a frame is "An underlying assumption or set of assumptions that supports an interpretation or a concept and that functions as an interpretive frame of reference for thinking about the concept". Colman (2002). ~~~ 3. A new video on the subject of how to build a successful marriage or couple relationship:
A marriage is a house that is built every day - as is any kind of marriage-like relationship. It is not something you ‘get' - it is something you must ‘build'; and keep building, day after day after day. ...See the link to Part 1 of this video series... ~~~ ~~~ 4. CENT Paper No.13: What does it mean to "complete your experience" of past emotional problems?
However, sometimes a client may have a problem buried in their past, about which they know nothing, and this buried problem - this ‘denied pain' - is the main driver of their current depression, anxiety, panic, or anger. With these kinds of archaic problems of repression, we use techniques related to the concept of "completing" that archaic experience; of ‘digesting it'; so it can be filed away in an inactive file, in the background of our life, where it cannot cause us psychological problems. ~~~ 5. Two tributes to Albert Ellis on the fourth anniversary of his death:
"I want to remind you of just a few of the gems of therapeutic wisdom (Albert Ellis) gave to the world through his writings and his public demonstrations of REBT. "One of the main things he said to people was this: "Accept yourself as you are, with your imperfections. You're an imperfect, fallible human". "This is a powerful permission, and I had never heard anyone else say anything like that before, in my life. What an immensely compassionate and kind thing to say to people! Why do I say that? "Because there is an unspoken, invisible pressure on people to never make mistakes; to be perfectly competent in all their doings. This sets them up to fail, in a way that allows their peers and others to jump on them and berate them when they get things wrong." ~~~ 6. A new Membership offering. If you want to align yourself with the development of CENT, then this offer of membership should interest you.
To find out more about Membership of I-CENT, please go to the Membership Services page.*** ~~~ 7. The CENT theory of the Good and Bad Wolf: A brief introduction
CENT theory represents the new born baby as containing two potentials: to develop pro-social and caring attitudes; and to develop anti-social and egotistical attitudes. Part of the process of socialization is to ensure that the new person mainly develops their 'good side' (or what the Native American Cherokee people called the 'good wolf') through the moral teachings of their parents, teachers and others; and that their 'bad wolf' is constrained and contained. (It cannot ever be totally or permanently eliminated. We each contain the capacity for significant levels of 'evil' to the ends of our days!) But the happy functioning of social animals depends upon the extent to which we develop our pro-social, moral virtues, and resist our anti-social, immoral or amoral vices. Some clients are clearly operating mainly from 'good wolf' and some are significantly operating from 'bad wolf'. That latter client group needs coaching in moral philosophy; and encouragement to operate mainly from 'good wolf'. ~~~ 8. Dale Carnegie's ‘How to stop worrying and start living', combined with some ideas from Zen Buddhism:
The gender of the Zen master (mistress?) in this story is irrelevant. So you can choose to read the story as if it was about a man or a woman, to suit your preference. One day, a Zen master went into the jungle. S/He was enjoying the scenery: trees, vines, flowers; and listening to the sounds of the birds chirping, and various animals moving around and calling to each other. Suddenly s/he saw a tiger. Unfortunately, the tiger also saw the Zen master. S/He ran for his/her life; but s/he ran so fast that s/he ran off the edge of a cliff. Falling, s/he grasped for a tree root which projected from the face of the cliff, and ended up hanging from this root with his/her left hand. The tiger reached the top of the cliff, and stared down hungrily at him/her, but could not reach him/her. The Zen master looked down to the foot of the cliff, and saw another tiger, looking up hungrily. Then, a couple of feet above his/her left hand, s/he noticed two little mice gnawing through the tree root, and s/he realized that before long s/he would (theoretically) go crashing down to the foot of the cliff. Then s/he noticed, to his/her right, a small strawberry bush, with a large, ripe, wild strawberry. S/He reached out and plucked the strawberry with his/her right hand, and popped it into his/her mouth. It tasted delicious. ~~~ 9. A revised CENT Supervision Service for counsellors and psychotherapists:
If you like the sound of Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy, and you think you would benefit from supervision (or peer support) from somebody like me - the creator of this system - then please do contact me to discuss possibilities. I offer supervision face-to-face in Hebden Bridge or Halifax; or from any part of the world by telephone, or via developmental feedback on audio recordings of counselling/therapy sessions. ~~~ 10. Bond and Dryden (1996) - A critical response by Dr Jim Byrne...
But I had to start where I was at that time, and so I wrote this: The first substantive section of Bond and Dryden's (1996) article is titled: ‘The interdependence principle and REBT's core hypothesis'. The authors begin by saying that: "REBT theory (Ellis, 1958, 1994) argues that cognition, emotion, and behaviour cannot be regarded as separate psychological processes. Instead, it (REBT) maintains that these processes are intimately related in often complex ways". (Page 30). This is a fair statement of the REBT position, in my opinion. But then a new concept is imported into this discourse, as follows: "If REBT's principle of interdependence of cognition, emotion, and behaviour can be accepted, then it cannot be argued that irrational beliefs ‘cause' or ‘determine' unhealthy negative emotions". ~~~ That's all for this issue. Jim Dr Jim Byrne ABC Coaching and Counselling Services ~~~ ~~~ If you like the content of
this site, please share it with your social networking friends (e.g. at Facebook, Bebo, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc). ~~~ Previous newsletters follow...
♦THE ABC NEWSLETTER♦ ♦ May/June 2011 ♦ In this issue of the ABC Newsletter, I want to introduce the following ideas and resources: 1. A new *free* article on anger management I have just finished reviewing a range of books on anger, aggression, rage, assertiveness, anger management techniques, and so on. I have written up this review in the form of a new CENT paper. Please let me know what you think of it and if it helps you in any way. This is how I began the introduction: "In this paper I will review a significant range of books (and a few papers and articles) on the subject of anger, aggression and assertiveness. These sources represent the literature of the subject which I have been able to identify, read and digest. I hope the reader will agree that I have presented a good cross section of the literature on the psychology, science and philosophy of anger and aggression, and a range of strategies for managing and controlling inappropriate, aggressive expressions of anger and rage. Plus some insights into how to promote healthy, assertive forms of anger expression." ...more on anger management here...*** ~~~ 2. The *Stress Book* is reduced in price Some weeks ago I published my e-book on stress, entitled: How to Reduce and Control Your Stress Level, and Have a Happier Life: The CENT approach. I have now decided to offer a 20% reduction in price, and to add a free article with every purchase in the next 28 days. Please take a look and see if this appeals to you: Link to Stress Book page.*** ~~~ 3. Update: The Happiness Blog - *Free* Information on Happiness and related topics The Happiness Blog has now been appearing for more than four years, and has a solid following around the world, as indicated by the hundreds of megabytes of bandwidth devoted to downloading it every week. Recently I have been looking at four topics: The Happiness Course developed by Dr Tal Ben-Shahar at Harvard; the psychology of Stoicism explored by Professor William Irvine, at Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio; Attachment theory, as explored by Dr David Wallin, in California; and some forays into moral philosophy. On 6thMay I posted a blog that began like this: "I like to start every blog with a relevant quote. I particularly like this one (even though it is a bit long!):
"Last week I wrote about fairness, justice and morality; and I added a few quotes about happiness." ...more on Happiness, stoicism, attachment and morality here...*** ~~~ 4. New Training programs from the I-CENT Training Division I am now offering Distance Learning courses, Public Lectures, and Study Groups on various topics, including stress, anger, emotional literacy, and counselling skills. ...more on the CENT Training page, here...*** ~~~ That's all for now. Best wishes, Jim Dr Jim Byrne, Doctor of Counselling, ABC Coaching and Counselling Services Email: Jim.byrne@abc-counselling.com Telephone: 44 1422 843 629 (from outside the UK); 01422 843 629 (from inside the UK). [1] Niven, D. (2000) The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What scientists have learned and how you can use it. New York: HarperCollins. ~~~ ♦THE ABC NEWSLETTER♦ ♦ March/April 2011 ♦ 1. The Happiness Blog has been looking at Dr Tal Ben-Shahar's ideas on how to be happier; and Dr David Wallin's ideas on the importance of attachment between parent and child and between counsellor and client. The latest post to the blog began like this: Introduction "What would your current frustrations look like from the vantage point of the final days of your life?" Taro Gold This week I have been working on my Stress Book and Course, and also on a new paper on REBT theory. In and amongst those challenges, I have also taken a look at some more ideas on happiness and attachment. Shaping a Happy Life In life, success is paid for in advance - like a buffet. No pay, no food. No work on yourself, no payoff in terms of self development. Happiness is a function of who you are being, in consciously shaping yourself and your life. ...more on the Happiness Blog... ~~~ 2. Free articles: There is a new article on the ABCs of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), or how to understand the relationship between a person, their life circumstances, and their emotional problems. It begins like this: Introduction In earlier papers I have critiqued aspects of REBT theory, especially: (1) the concept of "unconditional self acceptance (USA)"[1] - which is a licence to act immorally; (2) the concept of "freedom from shoulds" - which is further licence to act immorally or amorally[2]. And: (3) the approach taken to unfairness.[3] In addition, on 5thFebruary 2011, I posted a 30 minute video, critiquing the concept of "freedom from shoulds", here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDt8sXV5F4g. I have also implicitly critiqued the simple A>B>C model of REBT, in Byrne (2009b).[4] I now want to look at some other weaknesses and limitations of the simple ABCs of REBT. ...more on the ABCs of REBT... ~~~ 3. A new book on stress management: I have recently completed CENT e-book No.3, on the subject of how to reduce and control your stress level, using a holistic approach, including a range of 18 techniques and strategies, which include diet, exercise, self-talk and other aspects of the life of the individual. The introduction begins like this: Introduction What is stress? That question is answered in section 3 below, and its causes are explored in section 4. Section 5 looks at the question of whether it is possible to control your stress level, and then section 6 describes about eighteen different techniques which you can use to manage the level of stress in your life. Section 7 presents an example of long term stress, by examining the case of Harry Flint, who was helped by the author a couple of years ago. Sections 8-10 look at the role of irrational beliefs in the maintenance of stress, and how to get rid of irrational beliefs that are causing problems. This results in the reduction of your feelings of being stressed. Section 11 looks at frame theory, and how we always ‘frame' our experiences by some decisions made in the past. This is like looking at the world through tinted lenses... ~~~ 4. A new training course in stress management: I am also offering a distance learning course in Stress Management, based upon studying the new stress book. This is how the course description begins: DL301: The Distance Learning Certificate in Stress Management, entitled: Professional Certificate in Stress Management: The CENT Holistic Approach. This course is based upon studying a 120 page text; and applying the ideas learned to two sessions of practical stress management coaching/counselling - both of which must be audio taped for assessment and developmental feedback. ... ...more on the stress management course... ~~~ I hope you find this information interesting and helpful, or useful in some way. Best wishes, Jim Dr Jim Byrne ABC Coaching and Counselling Services 12th March 2011 ~~~ Links: ~~~ [1]Byrne, J. (2010a) Self-acceptance and other-acceptance in relation to competence and morality. CENT Paper No.2(c). Hebden Bridge: The Institute for CENT. Available online: http://www.abc-counselling.com/id206.html. [2]Byrne, J. (2009a) Beyond REBT: The case for moving on. CENT Paper No1(b). Hebden Bridge: The Institute for CENT. Available online: http://www.abc-counselling.com/id165.html. [3]Byrne, J. (2010b) Fairness, Justice and Morality Issues in REBT and CENT. CENT Paper No.2(b). Hebden Bridge: The Institute for CENT. Available online: http://www.abc-counselling.com/id203.html. [4]Byrne, J. (2009b) Rethinking the psychological models underpinning Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). Cent Paper No.1(a). Hebden Bridge: The Institute for CENT. Available online: http://www.abc-counselling.com/id184.html. ♦THE ABC NEWSLETTER♦ ◊January/February 2011◊ Introduction There are three items in this edition of the ABC Newsletter: One on happiness; one on a new counselling e-book by the Institute for CENT; and one introducing the new guidance page on how to meditate. They each reflect the philosophy of Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT). 1. Happiness It is not realistic for a human being to be happy all of the time – if by happiness we mean a state of positive, pleasurable excitement. Humans can learn to be calm and serene much or most of the time, but it would not be sensible to sit calmly and serenely in your house while it burned down around you! Thus the quest for happiness is a relative one. Can you learn how to be happy enough to be happy? Yes, you certainly can, if you follow the ABC Happiness Blog, and practice the actions and guidance given there: See the ABC Happiness Blog***. ~~~ 2. The second e-book on CENT A few months ago we published the first e-book on Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT), entitled ‘Therapy After Ellis, Berne, Freud and the Buddha’***. That book was mainly intended for committed readers who would be willing to tackle a 550 page book which goes into fine detail about the philosophy, processes and practices of CENT. We are now promoting the second e-book on CENT. This one is entitled ‘Integrating Cognitive & Emotive Counselling and Therapy’***; and this 142 page book is a more realistic option for those who want to get the distilled essence of the CENT approach to counselling – whether they be counsellors / psychotherapists, counselling students, or self-help enthusiasts. This book explains how to conduct individual and couples therapy, and how to manage our own self development, whether or not we happen to be counsellors. See the new e-book on CENT***. ~~~ 3. Meditation as an adjunct to counselling There is research which supports the idea that meditation cannot substitute for counselling, but the CENT position has always been that meditation can support and supplement the counselling process, by calming the individual client, reducing their anxiety and stress levels, and shrinking their ego. Many years ago, Dr Albert Ellis concluded – on the basis of his own reasoning processes (and not by research, qualitative or quantitative) - that meditation looks like a ‘mere cognitive (or thinking) distraction’. By this he meant that it seemed to him that meditation did not change anything about the life or emotional state of the meditator. How wrong he was! In fact, meditation changes the structure of the brain of the meditator, in ways that promote emotional and physical wellbeing. (See the ‘How to Meditate’ page***). Meditation (by counsellors) also makes them more effective in helping their clients! Jim Byrne and Renata Taylor-Byrne have been meditating since 1980, at least, and we find it a great source of stress reduction, ego contraction, and creativity; and it changes how we interact with our clients. This is also what the research shows. See the ‘How to Meditate’ page***. ~~~ Published by the Institute for CENT (I-CENT), at http://www.abc-counselling.com/id112.html. ~~~ |
Counselling and therapy; Psychotherapy; Counselors; Counsellors and psychotherapists; Psychology; Counselling psychologists;
Clinical psychologists; Cognitive therapy; Rational therapy; REBT/CBT; Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT); Coaching
for personal effectiveness, and happiness; Counselling videos; Counseling and therapy articles and papers, and e-books. 
Hello and welcome to the December/January issue of the ABC Newsletter. Season's greetings to everyone - including Christmas,
Hannukkah, Yuletide, Bodhi day, New Year, Hogmanay, etc. (We have presented some advice on how to avoid emotional disturbances
during the Holiday period here: 
For a few years now I have been writing a weekly blog on the subject of how to be happier. This has drawn on Stoic philosophy
and the Positive Psychology movement; and also on other, more general sources in psychology and philosophy, including attachment
theory.
If you have ever done any form of systematic physical exercise, of eastern or western origin, you will have experienced some
of the physical and mental benefits of that practice. Your body takes in more oxygen and you burn off stress hormones.
You secrete endorphins, or ‘happiness chemicals' in your brain. You just know it's good for you, and that it's
pleasurable.
Stories about the lives of children often help us to grasp the problems of a whole era, society or social class, as for example
in the story of Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. It can also improve your emotional intelligence, and improve your
relationships and your own life. 
In Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), we distinguish between helpful and unhelpful negative emotions,
and show our clients how to get rid of their unhelpful negative emotions. We are not aiming to produce "unemotional"
individuals, but rational, calm individuals who have a full range of emotions appropriate to the events in their lives, which
help them to focus on their objectives and to come to terms with the facts of their lives. So if you are facing a threat or
danger, it's a good idea to be reasonably concerned about it. Concern will help you to deal with
the impending problem. But anxiety will disrupt your thinking and behaviour. 
A therapeutic e-book by Dr Jim Byrne
This is a popular introduction to the theory and practice of Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT), which is an integrative
new philosophy of life, and a psychological system of counselling and psychotherapy.
Disease is a consolidated mental attitude, and it is only necessary to treat the mind and the disease will disappear. 
For more than ten years, we have been developing a range of REBT resources which are freely available to counsellors, therapists,
students and members of the public, for their own purposes. Most recently we have developed:
Are American Psychologists engaging in unethical behaviour by cooperating with the interrogation of detainees in the "war
on terror". Dr Ken Pope, former President of the American Psychological Association, who works relentlessly to
promote public understanding of ethical issues, especially within the psychological profession, has now produced a challenging
new article...
Dr Jim Byrne has written several posts in his 
Philip Robinson's story is a very good illustration of the fact that, beyond the CENT processes of ‘reframing experiences'
Hello and welcome to this new video series for couples who want to learn how to resolve the problems that are destroying,
or reducing the quality of, their marriage or couple relationship.
The core of the theory and practice of Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (CENT) is built around the concept of "reframing
your experience" of life, so that it will show up in a more tolerable and bearable way than if you frame it illogically
and unreasonably.
Because we did not issue a Newsletter in July/August, we are now announcing an event that happened in July. On 24th July this
year, for the fourth anniversary of his death, we published two tributes to the value of Albert Ellis's life and work.
Renata began like this:
As the Institute for Cognitive Emotive Narrative Therapy (I-CENT) heads towards its fifth anniversary, it is likely that its
growing number of admirers and supporters will increasingly want to be publicly associated with I-CENT. For this reason,
we have now instituted the beginnings of a system of membership. Membership of I-CENT is reserved for counsellors, psychotherapists,
counselling psychologists, and students and supporters of these disciplines. Additional grades of membership will be
developed in the future, to distinguish degrees of qualification.
The Native American Cherokee people had the concept of a war going on inside each human being. That war is between two
wolves: the good wolf and the bad wolf. And the wolf that wins the war is the one that is fed the most! References
to the Good and Bad Wolf, or the good and bad sides of human nature, can be found in various places in the papers and books
published by the Institute for CENT.
"Stress" is not the same as "pressure". Two individuals each experiencing an identical level of
pressure may each translate that into a different level of stress, depending upon their coping resources, including their
capacity to 'reframe' the pressure. One way to do this has been derived from some ideas by Dale Carnegie and Zen Buddhism,
as adapted by Jim Byrne, as illustrated in the following story about how a Zen master copes with adversity:
Whether you are a rational/cognitive counsellor/therapist, looking to add a psychodynamic or narrative component to your practice;
or a psychodynamic or narrative counsellor/therapist seeking to add some rational or cognitive components to your approach;
this new service by Dr Jim Byrne could be just what you need:
When I first discovered Bond and Dryden's (1996) article, asserting that two of the core theories of REBT were untestable,
I was shocked. At that time, in 2000, I was naively of the view that REBT represented some kind of literal truth.
I was a long way from realizing that pretty well all of the most important central theories of counselling and therapy are
beyond being tested. Anything that can be straightforwardly tested is probably too simple to be particularly meaningful;
and anything that is particularly meaningful is probably too complex to be tested. Perhaps...