If I am reading this right, REBT asserts that although we have totally natural core desires, it does not follow that they will necessarily be met, and assumptions that they will be met or "must be met" just because they are so powerfully motivating are a problem. This seems reasonable on the surface.

The one possible issue I can see is the danger of going excessively in the opposite direction and inadvertently devaluing these desires themselves - or at least, the person having them. After all, we feel pretty wretched when they don't get met! Calling them "preferences" although factually accurate is a bit simplistic. I can see this possibly being interpreted as a direct and threatening assault on the person, depending on how the process is used. REBT could potentially feel like one's identity being pounded on, unless used carefully. I do take issue with how Ellis apparently used his theory in therapeutic practice.