About Dr Jorn

WHAT IS RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY?

Cognitive behavior therapy was originally invented by Albert Ellis founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). REBT was a radical change from psychoanalysis which was invented by Sigmund Freud. REBT is based on the idea that our thoughts dramatically affect how we feel. Certain thoughts referred to in REBT as irrational beliefs lead to highly disturbed and self-defeating emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been studied extensively and shown to be an extremely effective form of psychotherapy. It is practical and appeals to common sense.

REBT hypothesizes that `there are four major irrational beliefs that cause emotional disturbance. These include Absolutism, Awfulizing, Low Frustration Tolerance, and Global Rating. Absolutism refers to demanding thinking and is marked in our language with words like ' must', 'should', 'have to,' 'need to,' and 'got to'. These are not musts with a small letter like I must go to the grocery store to buy milk but rather a capital letter. They are demands! Laws that we place on ourselves, on life and on others. Humans have three basic goals in life. The goals for Love and Approval, Comfort, and Success or Achievement. When we raise these preferences to demands we are engaging in Absolutism. Therefore, the major absolutistic demands include the demands for love and approval, comfort and success or achievement.

The second major irrational belief is awfulizing. Awfulizing is marked in our language by the words 'horrible' and 'awful' or 'catastrophe.' Awfulizing is very frequently connected to anxiety problems. The third major irrational belief is Low Frustration Tolerance. Low frustration tolerance stems from the demand for comfort and is marked by the words 'intolerable' 'can't stand it' and 'too rough.' Low frustration tolerance or L. F. T. is usually connected to problems with impulsivity, anger and frustration.

The final irrational belief Is Global Rating. Global rating occurs when we globally down ourselves or others. When we down ourselves we use words like I am 'worthless', 'useless', 'stupid' or other such negative terms. We see a lot of this irrational belief in depression and low self-worth issues. When we down somebody else we frequently experienced anger because we are condemning them to the all fiery pitts of hell.

In REBT, clients are typically given homework assignments designed to challenge and change their irrational belief systems. They've also may be given reading material to help educate them about how irrational beliefs can be changed and how they lead to emotional disturbance. A number of techniques are used to challenge irrational beliefs including humor. A client may be asked to rehearse rational statements or her rehearse the challenges to irrational beliefs. You also may be given homework to work with a more emotional focus. For instance Rational Emotive Imagery or the famous Shame Attack. Naturally REBT also involves engaging in different behaviors that are designed to eliminate self-defeating behaviors. REBT and most other forms of cognitive behavioral therapy do not spend a large part of therapy focusing on the past but rather focuses on getting you feeling better now and living more successfully now. Typically a therapist will work on all levels, on your thinking, behavior and your emotions.

DR. JORN'S BIO

Ann Jorn, Ph.D. is a pain management psychologist and rational emotive behavior therapist. She opened her private practice in 2005 in Berkshire County, MA. In 2002, she joined the Comprehensive Pain Management Program at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA. In this position, Dr. Jorn developed assessment and treatment services for patients working in close collaboration with physicians. She began to focus on pain management in 1993 while working at Monmouth Behavioral Care Services in New Jersey. During her doctoral internship in 1996, Dr. Jorn developed and later managed the psychological services for the Pain Institute at Jersey Shore Medical Center, the premier pain management program of Meridian Health Systems, NJ.

When asked why she chose pain management and why come to the Berkshires Dr. Jorn said, “I grew up in the Berkshires. Coming home to start my practice and provide help to the community has been a long held wish of mine. Also, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 3 years old, so I have some natural insight in how to live with pain. Although my experience is not the same as others, I am firmly convinced that with proper psychological treatment people can rely less on medication and live successfully with pain.”

Dr. Jorn received her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Seton Hall University her Masters in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and BA in Political Science at Berry College in Georgia. Dr. Jorn completed her Fellowship training with Dr. Albert Ellis founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy at the Albert Ellis Institute in NYC. She is a member of the American Pain Society. She is a lecturer in pain management and chronic illnesses.