My approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health care is analogous to putting together a puzzle. Clients present to sessions with pieces of personal narratives while envisioning what final picture they wish to see at the ultimate end of our time together.
Sometimes, people show up though closely guard pieces of their story. They may have no clue about what outcome they prefer to see, yet it’s as though I’m expected to help piece together the absent areas of their lives about which they remain circumspect.
Still, and admittedly an infrequent occurrence, some individuals attend sessions with a fully completed puzzle. People in this category seek validation for their efforts prior to engaging in services with me.
Regardless of what type of puzzler with whom I work, I introduce the practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). One they are able to understand, believe in, and practice this psychotherapeutic modality, I continually reinforce the notion that REBT takes a humanistic approach to problem solving.
Expanding on this concept, one source states that REBT “is one of the main humanistic psychotherapies. It shows how people, in an all-too-human manner, create a large part of their emotional disturbances and also have the ability to uncreate them.”
Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
For the clients who present to sessions with pieces of personal narratives while envisioning what final picture they wish to see, I invite them to consider that the answers to the questions they seek are likely within themselves already. I merely help people search for solutions.
Regarding people who show up, though closely guard pieces of their story, and who may have no clue about what outcome they prefer to see, I invite them to consider that they are likely creating their own problems. I simply assist with helping them to open up and get out of their own way.
Concerning individuals who attend sessions with a fully completed puzzle, and who seek validation for their efforts, I invite them to consider trust in their own abilities. I merely reinforce their helpful efforts while giving them new tools which may also serve them well.
Ultimately, when completing the puzzle of human problems, I encourage clients to understand that REBT is predicated on “a philosophy asserting human dignity and a person’s capacity for fulfilment through reason and scientific method,” per one source. I’m mainly here to help the puzzler.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
College of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. (2017, February 1). Ellis’ REBT – Transdiagnostic humanistic and existential CBT model. Retrieved from https://www.cbttherapies.org.uk/2017/02/01/ellis-rebt-transdiagnostic-humanistic-and-existential-cbt-model/
Ellis, A. (1996, December). The humanism of rational emotive behavior therapy and other cognitive behavior therapies. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2164-4683.1996.tb00356.x
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Blog – Categories: Tools. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/blog/categories/tools
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2023, August 6). The science. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-science
Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Hollings, D. (2023, November 23). Validation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/validation
Si_bemol. (2024, March 29). Pressewand aus puzzleteilen [Image]. Playground. Retrieved from https://playground.com/post/pressewand-aus-puzzleteilen-cludggypz01v2s6010rl1nf7v
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Humanism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism