Fictional Case Study: Sarah and the Missed Promotion

-


In our previous article, we explored the ABCDE Model, a powerful tool from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) that helps us understand the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Now, let's see how this model could be used in a fictional, but fairly common real life scenario. The characters and scenario are entirely fictional.

The ABCDE Model in Action

A: Adverse Event

Sarah, a marketing professional, reported that she had been working for months on a major project, hoping it would lead to a long-awaited promotion. When the announcement came, her colleague, Mark, received the promotion instead.

B: Beliefs

Sarah’s initial thoughts were:

“I’m shocked. This is completely unfair!”

“I should have been promoted—I’ve worked harder than anyone!”

“I’m a complete failure.”

When exploring core beliefs underlying these thoughts, Sarah identified:

“I must always succeed and be recognized. If not, I’m a failure.”

“Others should always respect me. If they don’t, they’re absolute jerks.”

C: Emotional and Behavioral Consequences

Sarah experienced:

  • Emotions: Intense anger toward her boss and Mark, deep sadness about her career, and anxiety about her future.

  • Behaviors: Avoiding colleagues (especially Mark), ruminating about the situation, becoming less productive, subtly lashing out during meetings, and isolating herself during breaks.

D: Disputation

We challenged Sarah’s core beliefs by asking:

  • How are these core beliefs working out for you? Are they helping or making things worse?
     Sarah realized that believing she must be promoted—and that not being promoted meant she was a failure—was making her miserable and straining her work relationships.

  • Would you teach a child that if she failed a test, she should consider herself a failure?
     “Of course not. That would be ridiculous. I would never want a child to believe that.”

  • Is it really true that you must always succeed?
     “No. Everyone experiences setbacks.”

  • Is there any evidence to support the opinion that not getting this promotion makes you a total failure?
     “No. It means I didn’t succeed at a specific goal. It’s not a verdict on who I am as a person.”

After this process, Sarah understood these rigid beliefs were inaccurate and harmful. She was ready to develop healthier alternatives.

E: Effective New Beliefs

Sarah settled on these new beliefs:

“I prefer to succeed and be recognized, but I don’t absolutely have to. If I don’t, it’ll hurt but I’ll get over it.”

“Not getting the promotion is disappointing, but it doesn’t make me a failure. It just means I’m human.”

“Life isn’t always fair, but I can handle it. I can learn and grow from this.”

She tested these beliefs by asking:

  • Is this supported by evidence?

  • Would this help me cope better?

  • Would I want a child to believe this about themselves?

The answers were yes, and Sarah accepted these ideas more fully. She reflected that holding these beliefs would still allow for disappointment but prevent overwhelming anger or despair. Instead of withdrawing, she’d reflect and plan her next steps.

Moving Forward

Sarah began using the ABCDE model between sessions whenever setbacks occurred—at work and in other areas of life. She also applied it to past events that had caused long-term distress.

Over time, Sarah noticed a real shift. When things didn’t go her way, she still felt disappointment or frustration, but she coped much more effectively. Anxiety became concern; despair softened to sadness, which she could move beyond.

She re-engaged with colleagues, refocused on current projects, and explored new growth opportunities within her company.

Popular posts from this blog

Why We Feel & Act The Way We Do: Three Influences

-
There are many different ways of explaining why we feel and behave the way we do. One of the more practical and simple explanations has to do with three components: our biological predispositions, our developmental history, and our cognitive framework- how we interpret and evaluate our experiences. Our Biological Predispositions This first component is about the way we're put together by nature. Similar to our physical characteristics, human beings have different biological tendencies when it comes to how we feel and act. Some of us experience our emotions more often, more intensely, and for longer periods of time than others do. Behaviorally, some of us are more energetic and active than others. The good news is that these biological tendencies are more manageable today than ever before. Since the 1980s, a broad range of pharmaceutical and therapeutic interventions have emerged, making it much easier to maximize the benefits of our biological predispositions and minimize their lim...
Read more

The Cognitive Triangle

-
  Another valuable concept for understanding how we function psychologically is the cognitive triangle —the dynamic interaction between what we think, what we feel, and what we do. Many people believe that emotions simply happen to us, or that external events directly cause our feelings and actions. We hear phrases like, “He made me mad,” or “Interviews make me nervous,” which suggest that events are the direct cause of our emotional and behavioral reactions. But that’s not quite accurate. A Common Event, Different Responses Consider this scenario: three individuals each receive the exact same piece of paper in the mail—a divorce notification. Person A jumps for joy, calls friends, and plans a celebratory night out. Person B rips up the papers in a fit of rage, screams in frustration, and punches a wall. Person C sits down, begins to cry, and isolates themselves for two days, feeling consumed by loss. The activating event—the divorce notice—was identical for al...
Read more

Understanding Fear: From Concern to Anxiety to Panic

-
Understanding Fear: From Concern to Anxiety to Panic Fear is a natural and essential part of being human. It arises when we believe that something bad might happen—usually in the near future. The threat may involve physical harm to ourselves or loved ones, but it can also target our ego, identity, or sense of worth. While fear is uncomfortable, it's not something to eliminate. In therapy, the goal is not to suppress fear, but to guide its appropriate and helpful expression. To respond to fear in a healthy, functional way, we need to understand the role of evaluation in our cognitive processes. Varieties of Fear and Their Purpose Fear varies in intensity, duration, and frequency. Here are some commonly experienced types: Concern – A mild, rational awareness of potential problems that helps us plan and take precautions. Alertness – Heightened focus and readiness to respond. Worry – Persistent thoughts about uncertain outcomes. Apprehension – Uneasy anticipation prompting caution....
Read more