CBT and the Rational Emotive Therapy also makes me think of a trained monkey. Lately, I find that I think a negative thought and correct for it. Then, I do it again later. I sometimes feel like I am some kind of freak monkey. But, I have to admit. I haven't been able to be sad for no two years or more (ie. qualify for Dysthymic Disorder) for over a decade. However, I wonder if I just created an odd Civil war between the negative thinking side of me and the postive, correct the irrational beliefs side. My psychologist in college had said that he uses what works. Since I do this correcting for negative thinking so well, I suspect he must have used a little CBT or Rational Emotive Therapy. I also find it odd that we discussed the root causes of the beliefs only onced. We spent one session on that.
As for the therapist's school of thought deciding on your treatment, I have seen signs in my courses of teachers encouraging us as students to learn about all the different schools. However, one person will still tend to focus on what they are good at doing. Some Ts may be good at doing some schools. While other Ts are good at other schools. Also, I suspect that that person's experiences, perceptions and beliefs will highly influence his/her treatment choices. So, it is good for us to find the one that is best for us.