Disputational method is a technique used in RET to help clients do what?

• A. A process used to identify cognitive distortions in daily life
• B. A method taught to clients in RET to help them challenge irrational beliefs.
• C. A technique for breathing and relaxation
• D. A way to label and categorize thoughts

Answer: (B)

Disputational method in RET is the process of teaching clients to question and challenge their irrational beliefs. In RET, emotional distress comes from rigid, irrational ideas about events. This technique trains clients to examine the evidence for their beliefs (empirical disputing), check whether the beliefs logically follow from facts (logical disputing), and assess whether holding the belief actually helps them in life (pragmatic disputing). By actively disputing these irrational beliefs, clients replace them with more rational ones, leading to healthier emotional responses.

Breathing and relaxation, while useful in reducing arousal, are not what disputation aims to teach. Labeling and categorizing thoughts is another cognitive technique, but disputation specifically focuses on contesting and overturning irrational beliefs rather than simply labeling them.