abc-theory-psychoeducation-scaffold

id	6d199a26-577a-5f14-978d-0f96e5a36e38
name	ABC Theory Psychoeducation Scaffold
description	A concise, reusable psychoeducational explanation of Ellis's ABC model for clients, mapping A (activating event), B (belief), and C (consequence) using a concrete, de-identified client example.
version	0.1.0
tags	["ABC","REBT","cognitive mediation","psychoeducation","CBT foundation","认知行为疗法","profile:psychology::认知行为疗法","axis:疗法","class:认知行为疗法","kind:child","document_merge_state:active","canonical:true"]
triggers	["client attributes distress to external events","client lacks metacognitive awareness of belief-emotion link"]
examples	[{"input":"Client says: 'My mom yelled at me, so I shut down and cried.'","output":"Therapist: 'So A was her yelling — something you heard. C was shutting down and crying — how you felt and acted. What went through your mind right when she started yelling? That’s the B.'","notes":"Uses client’s language ('yelled', 'shut down') to anchor A and C before inviting B."},{"input":"Client: 'I failed the test, so I’m worthless.'","output":"Therapist: 'A is the test result — a fact. C is feeling worthless — an emotional consequence. The 'so' part — 'I’m worthless' — that’s the B. It’s not the only possible B about that A. Does that make sense?'","notes":"Highlights the logical connector ('so') as a cue for B; normalizes B as common, not pathological."}]

ABC Theory Psychoeducation Scaffold

A concise, reusable psychoeducational explanation of Ellis's ABC model for clients, mapping A (activating event), B (belief), and C (consequence) using a concrete, de-identified client example.

Prompt

Introduce the ABC model clearly and non-judgmentally: define A as the observable event, B as the person's automatic thought or interpretation (not 'irrational' but 'unexamined'), and C as the resulting emotion/behavior. Use a neutral, relatable example (e.g., 'Someone cancels plans' → 'They don’t value me' → sadness/withdrawal). Then invite the client to co-identify their own recent A and C, and gently explore their B with open-ended questions ('What went through your mind just then?'). Emphasize that B is where change is possible — not by denying A or suppressing C, but by noticing and testing beliefs.

Objective

teach client the core logic of cognitive mediation

Applicable Signals

• Client says 'It’s because X happened that I feel this way'
• Client uses absolute language ('always', 'never', 'should') when describing triggers
• Client expresses helplessness about emotions without referencing thoughts

Contraindications

• client is in acute crisis or suicidal ideation
• client has severe cognitive impairment limiting abstract reasoning

Workflow Steps

• 1. Name the model: 'This is called the ABC model — a simple way to understand how our thoughts connect events to feelings.'
• 2. Define A, B, C with parallel, concrete phrasing: 'A is what happened — something you can see or hear. B is what you told yourself about it — a quick thought or image. C is how you felt or acted afterward.'
• 3. Illustrate with de-identified, developmentally appropriate example (e.g., 'A: Teacher gave critical feedback. B: "I’m a failure." C: Shame + avoiding class.')
• 4. Guide client to generate their own A-C pair from recent experience.
• 5. Gently elicit B using curiosity: 'In that moment, what popped into your head? What did that situation mean to you?'
• 6. Confirm understanding: Ask client to restate ABC in their own words using their example.

Constraints

• Must avoid labeling beliefs as 'irrational' or 'wrong'; use 'helpful/unhelpful', 'accurate/inaccurate', or 'testable' instead
• Must not proceed to belief disputation until client demonstrates basic ABC recognition and ownership of their B

Cautions