Keynote: The Rational Practitioner: New (and old) Frontiers in REBT
Time: 10.00 GMT – 11.00 GMT (including 10 minutes Q&As)
Breakout room: 11.00 – 11.30 GMT
Keynote speaker: Dr Martin J, Turner (UK). Manchester Metropolitan University and the AREBT Research Centre Advisory Board
In the last 10 years, the reported application and study of rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) has grown considerably. The work published on REBT in sport and exercise includes cross-sectional studies (e.g., Mansell, 2021), experimental laboratory and field studies (e.g., Turner et al., 2019; Wood et al., 2017), applied studies (e.g., Turner & Barker, 2013), explanatory case studies (Turner & Bennett, 2018), professional practice pieces (e.g., Turner, 2019), measurement development (e.g., Turner & Allen, 2018), resource development (e.g., Smarter Thinking App; Turner & Wood, 2019), and a systematic review (Jordana et al., 2020). As a result of this research activity, many lessons have been learned, and from these lessons, we can formulate practice guidance and recommendations for REBT in sport and exercise. Researchers and practitioners have started to push the envelope with regards to the use of REBT (e.g., King et al., 2022), postulating new ways in which REBT can be effectively applied with sport and exercise settings. In this talk, Dr. Turner brings his research and applied learnings to the audience around themes that reflect advances in REBT; growth areas into which attention and effort should be funnelled for the benefit of future recipients of REBT. The talk looks towards the future of REBT, just over the horizon, where REBT is recognised as a flexible, theoretically-consistent eclectic, and pluralistic approach to practice. Far from being a niche school of psychotherapy, REBT offers a broad and flexible approach to working with clients that holds within it a rich vein of theoretical and applied views that can aid practice.
Dr. Martin J. Turner is a Reader in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is a British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. Martin has published his research widely, in over 70 peer reviewed papers, and various book chapters, and books. He is most known for his work applying rational emotive behaviour theory (REBT) within achievement settings, and the effects of stress and adversity on human wellbeing and performance. In his work he also examines the psychophysiology of the human stress response, and its relationship to human functioning under pressure. Most of his research concerns sport, but he also investigates other performance contexts like business, military, and public services. He has received three awards for his research (2018, 2019, and 2020), including an Outstanding Achievement Award from the U.K. Association for REBT. As a practitioner, he has worked within professional football and cricket, as well as within a vast range of sports both at a team and individual level. He also works with non-sporting organisations applying performance psychology to enhance wellbeing and performance. Most notably, Martin worked as England Futsal Psychologist from 2013 to 2020, and is now lead Psychologist with Scarlets Rugby. His new book is called “The Sport and Performance Psychologist’s Guide To Practicing Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy”.