As the oldest of three children, Carol (who is 29) berates herself for her family's tension and dissension.

As the oldest of three children, Carol (who is 29) berates herself for her family's tension and dissension. Her father is depressed most of the time (which Carol feels responsible for); her mother feels overburdened and ineffectual (Carol feels she contributes to this); and both her sisters are doing poorly in school and having other personal problems (Carol also assumes responsibility for this). Somehow she is convinced that if she were different and did what she should do, most of these problems would greatly diminish.

Assume, as you listen to her, that you hear her saying some of the following things:

• "My father looks to me to be the strong one in the family. I must be strong if I'm to gain his approval, which I feel I must have."
• "I just know that if I were more adequate as a daughter, my father wouldn't be depressed.
• "Since my mother is overworked, I should take on more of the responsibility for taking care of my younger sisters. I ought to be able to talk with them and help them with their problems."
• "My sisters both expect me to do their chores for them, to help them at school, and to live up to the image they have of me. I ought to meet their ideals, and it would be absolutely horrible of me to fail in this regard. Then if they grow up with problems, I'll have only myself to blame for the rest of my life."

1. Apply the technique of rational-emotive imagery in Carol's case. How should you help her imagine herself thinking, feeling, and behaving in the way she would ideally like to?