Generally speaking, insight may be defined as deep understanding of a person, thing, or event. For instance, careful examination of how one’s dietary choices impact gut functioning may provide insight into what foods are more beneficial to one’s system than others.
From a psychological perspective, the American Psychological Association defines insight as “the clear and often sudden discernment of a solution to a problem by means that are not obvious and may never become so, even after one has tried hard to work out how one has arrived at the solution.”
As an example, after months of attending psychotherapy with a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) practitioner and not fully committing frequent practice of this psychotherapeutic modality, a person may suddenly realize the importance of fully engaging in the process.
Worth noting, there’s a difference between intellectual and emotional insight. Addressing this matter, page 182 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion states:
Help your clients to see the difference between intellectual insight (a cognitive understanding of rational principles that does not lead to constructive psychological change) and emotional insight (a deep conviction taken to use these principles, that does result in such change). Stress that the latter is the goal of REBT, not the former.
Expanding upon this topic, I stated in a blogpost entitled Understanding, Belief, and Practice, “I suspect that a lack of understanding, failure to believe, and neglect of practice have played a key role in why some people have neglected or abandoned REBT altogether.”
It’s difficult to express how important the component of frequent practice – and I mean daily engagement – is to one’s emotional insight regarding REBT. Otherwise, a person may gain intellectual insight while not fully benefiting from this helpful modality.
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:
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Insight. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/insight
Asierromero. (n.d.). Creative woman with blurred background [Image]. Freepik. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/creative-woman-with-blurred-background_911116.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=40&uuid=11d713d0-6805-438d-a184-60dd1617666e
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
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. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals
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, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice
Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
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. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Comments