Which statement is NOT a goal of REBT with young children?

• A. To differentiate between unconscious and conscious thoughts
• B. To develop an emotional vocabulary
• C. To learn rational coping statements
• D. To differentiate between thoughts and feelings

Answer: (A)

In REBT with young children, the focus is on making beliefs explicit, building an emotional vocabulary, and guiding children to use rational coping statements to manage feelings. Therapists work with beliefs and the resulting emotions that the child can articulate, helping them reframe irrational thoughts into more adaptive ones.

Differentiating between unconscious and conscious thoughts is not a goal in this approach. REBT assumes that the relevant beliefs driving emotions are conscious and accessible to the child (and the therapist) for examination and modification. The aim is to identify and adjust those conscious beliefs, not to explore unconscious material.

The other goals fit well with REBT for kids: developing an emotional vocabulary helps children label and understand how they feel, and learning rational coping statements gives them concrete tools to challenge irrational beliefs and cope more effectively. Differentiating thoughts from feelings is also a central part of the process, clarifying how cognitions influence emotions and guiding the child toward more adaptive responses.