When working at an internship site while involved in a graduate social work program, I had a trainer who would explain new information to me and then ask, “Does that make sense?” He did this so frequently that I began to wonder if he doubted his communication abilities.
“So when you’re meeting with a client and suicide is brought up, you wanna click on this tab to initiate a suicide assessment. Does that make sense?” he’d ask. I answered in the affirmative.
“If the client hits three of these five markers, you wanna walk them over to Mental Health for a same-day evaluation. Does that make sense?” he’d inquire. And so forth and so on.
I suspect I was asked if the trainer made sense no less than 20 times within half an hour. After a while, I abandoned the suspicion of him doubting his own abilities and wondered if I was projecting the air of confusion. “Does he think I’m stupid?” I asked myself.
Nevertheless, as I began seeing clients in the training facility, I found myself employing a similar technique as the trainer. “When you believe something about an action, it’s your belief that leads to an unhelpful consequence. Does that make sense?” I’d ask clients.
Regarding this approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion invites REBT practitioners to check with clients to make sure they understand what’s being communicated in sessions. Does that make sense?
It’s important to not only assure that people comprehend what’s being stated, it’s also essential to inquire about whether or not they agree with what’s being communicated. Therefore, I appreciate the trainer who took time to ascertain whether or not I understood him.
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:
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. ISBN 0-917476-26-3. Library of Congress Control Number: 20031044378
Freepik. (n.d.). Photorealistic lawyer day celebration. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/photorealistic-lawyer-day-celebration_94484385.htm#query=question&position=36&from_view=search&track=ais_ai_generated&uuid=11bc7e77-596f-4370-83e6-d415fc2c6113
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. (2022, March 25). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
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