When speaking with prospective clients seeking the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) services which I offer, I’m usually asked, “How often will we meet?” Generally, I reply, “It’s up to you.”
One reason for this response is because each person presents with unique issues which may require differing amounts of time devoted toward behavioral health care. Another reason for my reply relates to how much effort an individual is willing to apply in regard to REBT.
With understanding of and belief in REBT as a psychotherapeutic modality aside, I invite prospective clients to consider that committed and diligent practice of the model is necessary to serve one’s interests and goals. Alas, not everyone is prepared to frequently practice REBT.
I usually inform new clients that one indicator of success with treatment and management of presenting issues relates to whether or not people complete negotiated homework exercises. While in-session practice is important, dedication to practice outside of sessions is fundamental to the process of personal change.
REBT is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that seeks to challenge maladaptive beliefs which lead to unpleasant emotions and behaviors. Through rehearsed use of adaptive beliefs within an individual’s primary environment, a person can practice a method of attaining more desirable feelings and behavioral actions.
Typically, I begin seeing new clients once per week. During this time, I introduce the two core concepts of REBT: the ABC model and unconditional acceptance. We practice these techniques in sessions and clients are invited to complete homework exercises before our next meeting.
Once an individual has a firm grasp of REBT concepts, we can decrease the frequency of sessions so that clients may take personal responsibility and accountability for self-change, per page 207 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion (“Pocket Companion”). Usually, the frequency of sessions reduces to biweekly appointments thereafter.
Then, once a client has demonstrated effective use of REBT concepts and can reduce self-disturbance on one’s own, people customarily decrease their meet-up cadence to once per month. This sort of check-in appointment serves as a fine-tuning opportunity.
Then, when a client expresses belief in the time to move forward on one’s own, the individual is encouraged to begin the process of psychotherapeutic termination. According to page 208 of the Pocket Companion, flexibility and negotiation are important components of this process.
Ultimately, when asked about how often I will meet with a prospective client I reply, “It’s up to you.” As outlined herein, there are phases unique to the amount of effort each person applies to the process of self-change. Thus, frequency of sessions isn’t necessarily a fixed variable with my approach to REBT.
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
Photo credit (edited), fair use
References:
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-rebt-therapists-pocket-companion-d185164652.html
Hollings, D. (2024, May 30). Behavioral health care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/behavioral-health-care
Hollings, D. (2024, May 19). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/cognitive-behavior-therapy-cbt
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. (2024, April 18). Homework. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/homework
Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
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. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2024, March 31). Termination. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/termination
Hollings, D. (2022, November 9). The ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-abc-model
Hollings, D. (2024, June 19). Treatment vs. management. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/treatment-vs-management
Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Vecstock. (n.d.). A beautiful woman with curly hair smiling confidently at night generated by artificial intelligence [Image]. Freepik. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/beautiful-woman-with-curly-hair-smiling-confidently-night-generated-by-artificial-intelligence_92138032.htm#fromView=search&page=2&position=22&uuid=4f2bd98a-d247-47a6-8370-bdafe2c0f53f
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