It's easy to remember, and therefore easy to teach to people.

ABC = Action, Belief, Consequence (feeling)

You have a whole population of people who aren't psych-educated, and maybe not self-aware.

So this let's people break down events and pause, so that they can become more self aware.

I liked Hazel's example.

I had never heard of this ABC concept in my own therapy, but we do focus on all three things. Exploring my beliefs have been very helpful.

Here's an example from my own life.

Action: My spouse gets angry with me, and then gets over it within minutes
Consequence: I brood for days (months!) and want to escape and plot divorce

Well, through therapy, I have learned that my "belief system," or filter, is one where people close to me hurt me and that anger in the household leads to abuse. And so, I feel trapped and scared, even though it is normal for spouses to get angry at each other from time to time.

I really needed to understand my own filter before I could even begin to work on changing my reaction.