Reducing the stresses and tensions of the vocational counselor in the 1980s through the use of ret techniques

The vocational counselor's role in our society is conspicuous, well-established and indispensable. Pressure to perform is exerted on the vocational counselor from several sources, including: counselor-training programs, society, clients, supervisors and vocational counselors, themselves. This article discusses the sources of stress and tension and provides a partial solution based upon the principles of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET). The relationship between irrational thoughts and stress is explored and a structure for thinking more rationally and feeling better is provided. A brief overview of RET and 12 typical irrational beliefs held by vocational counselors are included.Paper presented at the 1981 meeting of the International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling, Robinson College, Cambridge, England. Funds for its preparation were provided by the following Villanova University officials: Dr. Bernard Downey, Rev. Lawrence Gallen, O.S.A., Rev. John O'Malley, O.S.A., and Dr. Henry Nichols. Lewis Morgan and Esther Weinrach provided critical comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper.