Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a wide variety of psychological crises worldwide. In order to respond rapidly and efficiently to the complex challenges, mental health professionals are required to adopt a multidimensional and integrative view. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) founded by Albert Ellis promotes rationality and self-acceptance. Logotherapy, pioneered by Viktor Frankl potentiates meaning and resilience. Both approaches are complementary and mutually enriching. The goal of this paper is to propose an integrative model of “optimal sense-making,” a concept that combines both rationality and meaning, as well as the role of self-transcendence and healthy negative emotions. The model offers a theoretical and clinical foundation for efficient and effective psychological intervention plans for those affected by the pandemic. Along with theoretical background, illustrating case studies are presented to support potential application of the integrative model to affected individuals as well as the work of first-line health professionals during these times of pandemic. Implications are considered for utilizing theoretical and applied insights from the model to cultivate resilience in face of adversity and suffering.
Highlights
The unprecedented coronavirus pandemic caught us by surprise and has caused so far over 1,250,000 deaths worldwide
Building on previous insights proposed by Hutchinson and Chapman (2005) and Lewis (2009), a logotherapy-based model of self-transcendence with meaning as the core beneficial belief is proposed to complement Ellis’ model of emotional disturbance with demandingness as the core irrational belief
Combining both models at the clinical level would lead to “optimal sense-making,” an integrative approach toward adversity which unites both rationality and meaning in order to assist clients to generate an optimal philosophy of life that would, in turn, empower them to face the pandemic with courage and without losing hope
Summary
The unprecedented coronavirus pandemic caught us by surprise and has caused so far over 1,250,000 deaths worldwide. Few mental health professionals have experience dealing with the psychological consequences of such devastating pandemic This new and challenging situation requires flexibility, creativity, and integrative attitude from mental health professionals. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), the pioneering form of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed by Albert Ellis in the 1950’s and Logotherapy, a meaning-based psychotherapy proposed by Viktor Frankl in the 1930’s are philosophically based and empirically-supported. Their integration could lead to the marriage of rationality and meaning, enabling a more stable and profound foundation to counteract catastrophism and despair in the face of the tragedy. The present paper takes these directions forward to offer an integrative clinical model of “optimal sense-making,” based on a brief overview of both REBT and logotherapy, and illustrated though clinical examples of case studies related to the current pandemic situation
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