The main goal in RBT is to teach people how to perceive, think, emotionally feel, and physically behave rationally. Thus, its goal is to teach people to behave in their own best interests. Three basic steps are involved: (1) teaching people how their emotions and behaviors come about through their 'self-talk' (thinking), (2) teaching people how to challenge their irrational self-talk and replacing this with rational alternatives, and (3) teaching people a way of making the rational alternatives a habitual way of responding in the present and future. Several projects using this technique are discussed, with the observation that the overall evaluation of the RBT courses by probation officers is positive. In 1976 and 1977, the Federal Judicial Center of the United States Courts in Washington, D.C., sponsored seven RBT workshops for 234 U.S. probation officers. The workshops consisted of about 40 hours of classroom and experiential training in the basic skills of RBT. Since then, some 23 districts have initiated Rational Self-Counseling courses for probationers and parolees. Probation officers in these districts are using RBT to help themselves become better probation officers, to help their clients on a one-to-one basis in individual counseling, and to help their clients in a group counseling setting. RBT is divided into three component parts: the ABC's of emotion, rational self-analysis, and rational emotive imagery. RBT has demonstrated its effectiveness both within correctional institutions and in the community with probationers and parolees. A total of 12 references are included.