Psychiatrist-led psychotherapy by an IAREBT-trained REBT psychotherapist

Many people look for therapy when they feel overwhelmed by anxiety, panic attacks, emotional dependence, relationship difficulties, obsessive thinking, perfectionism, burnout or persistent inner tension.

Some people have already tried medication.

Some have already tried psychotherapy.

Some appear successful and functional on the outside, while internally they feel tense, exhausted, afraid, ashamed, angry, emotionally dependent or unable to find psychological stability.

In these situations, therapy can be especially effective when it is structured, clinically informed and focused not only on symptoms, but also on the deeper beliefs that maintain emotional suffering.

This is where REBT can be very useful.

REBT stands for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. It is one of the original forms of cognitive-behavioural therapy, developed by Albert Ellis. Its central idea is simple, but powerful: people are not disturbed only by events themselves, but also by the meanings, demands and beliefs they attach to those events.

In other words, it is not only what happens to us that matters.

It is also what we tell ourselves about what happened.

Dr Milan Popović is a medical doctor, specialist psychiatrist and REBT psychotherapist trained according to the standards of the International Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy — IAREBT.

This combination allows therapy to integrate psychiatric assessment, clinical understanding, emotional formulation and structured REBT work.

What is REBT?

REBT — Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy — is a practical, active and philosophically deep form of psychotherapy.

It helps people identify rigid, extreme and self-defeating beliefs that often create emotional suffering.

Examples of such beliefs include:

“I must be approved by everyone.”

“I must never fail.”

“My partner must always treat me exactly as I expect.”

“I cannot tolerate uncertainty.”

“If I feel anxiety, something terrible will happen.”

“If someone rejects me, it means I am worthless.”

“Life must be fair.”

“I must always be strong.”

“I cannot stand being alone.”

These beliefs often create intense emotional consequences: anxiety, panic, depression, guilt, shame, anger, jealousy, emotional dependence, avoidance and self-sabotage.

REBT does not teach people to think “positively” in a superficial way.

It teaches people to think more realistically, flexibly and constructively.

Instead of demanding that life, other people or the self must be perfect, REBT helps a person develop healthier beliefs:

“I strongly prefer approval, but I do not absolutely need it.”

“Failure is unpleasant, but it does not define my entire worth.”

“Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but I can tolerate it.”

“Anxiety is unpleasant, but it is not dangerous.”

“A relationship can be important to me without becoming the foundation of my identity.”

“I can dislike rejection without seeing it as proof that I am unlovable.”

This change in belief can lead to a deep change in emotional life.

Why work with a psychiatrist who also offers REBT psychotherapy?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialised in mental health.

This means that psychiatric knowledge includes diagnosis, clinical assessment, psychopharmacology, differential diagnosis, risk assessment, medical comorbidity and the biological aspects of mental disorders.

An REBT psychotherapist works with emotional patterns, irrational beliefs, behaviour, relationships, personal meaning and psychological change.

When psychiatry and REBT psychotherapy are integrated, the client receives a broader and more precise understanding of their problem.

Symptoms are not reduced only to “chemical imbalance”.

They are also not reduced only to “psychological issues”.

They are understood through several levels at the same time:

biological factors,

emotional patterns,

irrational beliefs,

learned behaviour,

relationship dynamics,

stress,

personality style,

life context,

values,

and personal philosophy.

This integrative perspective is especially useful for people who do not want only a prescription, but also want to understand themselves and actively change the way they respond to life.

Psychiatrist-led REBT therapy can be particularly valuable when emotional difficulties are persistent, complex or connected with anxiety, depression, panic, psychosomatic symptoms, relationship patterns, medication history or previous psychiatric treatment.

IAREBT and professional REBT training

IAREBT — the International Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy — is an international professional association dedicated to the development, teaching and practice of REBT.

Professional REBT training is not only theoretical.

It involves learning how to identify irrational beliefs, dispute them clinically and philosophically, work with emotional consequences and help clients develop more flexible, realistic and self-supportive attitudes.

An IAREBT-trained REBT psychotherapist uses a structured model that connects:

activating events,

beliefs,

emotional consequences,

behavioural consequences,

disputation of irrational beliefs,

development of rational alternatives,

new emotional responses,

and new behavioural choices.

This makes therapy active, focused and practical.

The goal is not only insight.

The goal is emotional change.

Who can benefit from online REBT therapy?

Online REBT therapy in English may be helpful for people dealing with:

anxiety and excessive worry,

panic attacks,

health anxiety,

social anxiety,

depressive thinking patterns,

burnout and chronic stress,

perfectionism,

emotional dependence,

fear of abandonment,

relationship anxiety,

anger and resentment,

guilt and shame,

low self-confidence,

obsessive thinking,

psychosomatic anxiety,

life transitions,

expat stress,

migration-related emotional difficulties,

professional pressure,

and difficulties with emotional regulation.

REBT is particularly suitable for people who want a structured, active and intellectually clear form of psychotherapy.

It is not passive listening only.

It is a collaborative process in which therapist and client examine beliefs, emotions, behaviours and life strategies together.

REBT for anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety is often maintained by catastrophic interpretation.

A person may experience bodily sensations such as a racing heart, dizziness, shortness of breath, trembling or chest discomfort.

Then the mind may interpret these sensations as dangerous:

“What if I lose control?”

“What if I faint?”

“What if I die?”

“What if people notice?”

“What if this never stops?”

REBT helps identify and challenge these catastrophic beliefs.

The goal is not to deny discomfort.

The goal is to understand that anxiety is unpleasant, but not necessarily dangerous.

When a person changes the meaning they give to anxiety, the emotional intensity often begins to decrease.

REBT for burnout and high-performing professionals

Many high-functioning professionals suffer not because they are weak, but because they live under rigid internal demands.

“I must always perform perfectly.”

“I must never disappoint anyone.”

“I must be available all the time.”

“I must not make mistakes.”

“My worth depends on productivity.”

These beliefs can create chronic stress, exhaustion, irritability, insomnia and emotional numbness.

REBT helps clients move from rigid self-pressure to healthy ambition.

The goal is not to become passive or indifferent.

The goal is to perform well without destroying oneself psychologically.

REBT for emotional dependence and relationship anxiety

Emotional dependence often appears when a person believes that love, approval or attachment are absolute necessities.

The relationship becomes not only important, but existential.

The person may think:

“I cannot live without this person.”

“If they leave me, my life is over.”

“I must be loved to be worthy.”

“If they are distant, it means I am not enough.”

This can lead to jealousy, fear of abandonment, constant reassurance seeking, emotional instability and loss of self-respect.

REBT helps the client separate love from dependency.

A healthy relationship can be deeply important without becoming the foundation of one’s entire identity.

Online therapy for expats and international clients

Living abroad can be psychologically demanding.

Many expats and international professionals face loneliness, cultural adjustment, identity confusion, relationship stress, career pressure and emotional isolation.

Even successful people can feel internally unstable when they are far from their familiar language, culture, family and support system.

Online REBT therapy in English allows international clients to work with a psychiatrist and REBT psychotherapist through video sessions, wherever legally and professionally appropriate.

This can be especially useful for people who want professional support in English, but also appreciate a European clinical and psychotherapeutic perspective.

How does the first session look?

The first consultation is usually longer than a standard session.

It includes:

a detailed discussion of the current problem,

clinical and psychological history,

main symptoms and emotional patterns,

previous psychiatric treatment or medication history if relevant,

relationship and work context,

stress and lifestyle factors,

identification of key irrational beliefs,

initial REBT formulation,

discussion of therapy goals,

and recommendation for further work.

The goal is not only to label the problem.

The goal is to understand how the problem is maintained and what can be changed.

Fees

Initial psychiatric-psychotherapeutic assessment, 75–90 minutes: 390 €

Standard REBT psychotherapy session, 50 minutes: 220 €

Extended REBT session, 75 minutes: 320 €

Follow-up consultation, 30 minutes: 160 €

Priority consultation, when available: 490 €

Written REBT case formulation and therapeutic plan, when clinically appropriate: 250 €

All sessions are conducted online via Zoom.

Important note about medication and international clients

For international online clients, this is a psychotherapy and consultation service.

It does not replace emergency psychiatric care, local medical treatment or crisis intervention.

Medication prescribing is available only where legally and professionally permitted.

If you are in immediate danger, suicidal crisis, severe psychiatric emergency or need urgent medical care, please contact your local emergency services or the nearest psychiatric emergency department.

Psychiatrist-led REBT psychotherapy in English

REBT is not only a method.

It is also a philosophy of emotional responsibility.

It helps people understand that although they cannot control everything that happens in life, they can learn to change the way they interpret, evaluate and respond to events.

This does not mean denying pain.

It means developing strength, flexibility and emotional maturity.

In that sense, REBT is not just about reducing symptoms.

It is about learning how to live with more clarity, freedom and inner stability.

Dr Milan Popović offers online psychiatrist-led REBT psychotherapy in English for international clients.

He is a medical doctor, specialist psychiatrist and REBT psychotherapist trained according to IAREBT standards.

Sessions are available via Zoom.

Frequently asked questions

Is online REBT therapy the same as ordinary counselling?

No. REBT is a structured form of psychotherapy focused on beliefs, emotions and behaviour. It is active, practical and goal-oriented. In psychiatrist-led REBT psychotherapy, this work is combined with clinical psychiatric understanding.

Can REBT help with anxiety?

REBT can be very useful for anxiety because it helps identify catastrophic beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty, fear of discomfort and rigid demands that often maintain anxious states.

Can online REBT therapy help with panic attacks?

Online REBT therapy can help clients understand the beliefs and interpretations that intensify panic. It can also help them develop a more rational and less catastrophic response to bodily sensations.

Do you prescribe medication to international online clients?

Medication prescribing is available only where legally and professionally permitted. For international online clients, the service is psychotherapy- and consultation-oriented and does not replace local medical care.

Who is this service suitable for?

This service may be suitable for international clients, expats and English-speaking professionals who want structured REBT psychotherapy led by a psychiatrist, especially for anxiety, panic, burnout, emotional dependence, relationship anxiety and irrational beliefs.

How are sessions conducted?

Sessions are conducted online via Zoom. The first assessment usually lasts 60 minutes, while standard REBT sessions last 50 minutes.

How can I book a consultation?

To book an online consultation, please contact Dr Milan Popović through the official website or use the online booking option when available.

Contact

Dr Milan Popović, MD
Specialist Psychiatrist
REBT Psychotherapist trained according to IAREBT standards

Online psychiatrist-led REBT psychotherapy in English
Sessions available via Zoom

Email: info@epsihijatar.net
Viber / WhatsApp: +381 60 485 8788
Website: www.epsihijatar.net