Since having begun the informal practice of life coaching in 1991 and having started professional practice of psychotherapy in 2011, I’ve refined my objectives in regard to trying to help people (noted emphasis on the word “trying”). Concerning this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled Tolerance:
Since 2011, I’ve practiced Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) after learning about this psychotherapeutic modality in graduate school. Given my approach to the model, I have a number of objectives when working with clients:
· I seek to help people push through discomfort so that they may grow.
· Rather than helping clients feel better, I aim to help them get better.
· I invite people to use purpose and meaning in order to tolerate and accept how little control and influence they have in life.
· I try to help people achieve a higher level of functioning and improved quality of life.
· I advocate rational living, which is a type of existence in accordance with logic and reason.
In order to achieve these aims, I take an active-directive approach to psychotherapy. A form of cognitive behavior therapy developed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, REBT uses a number of techniques to facilitate personal change.
Notice that each of the expressed targets for my approach to REBT is linked to an explanation of a concept with exception to discussion about level of functioning and quality of life. The current blogpost seeks to remedy this issue.
Per one source, “Functioning refers to people’s physical, psychological and social capacity to cope with the day-to-day activities they find meaningful and necessary – work, studies, leisure time and hobbies, self-care and care for others – in the environment in which they live.”
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines function as the use or purpose of something, as this matter relates to the Aristotelian term “telos” (purpose). As an example, my purpose as a psychotherapist is to try to help people improve their level of functioning.
Being that the telos of an individual is unique to each person, my clients each present with their own subjective interests and goals, as well as abilities, in regard for functioning. For instance, client X may experience significant depressive symptoms which render her virtually bedridden.
Therefore, improvement of client X’s level of functioning may initially relate to activities of daily living (i.e., feeding, toileting, bathing, etc.). Alternatively, client Y may be a higher functioning individual whose goal is to attend the gym five times per week rather than only two.
According to one source, “The goals of REBT, which are to minimize dysfunctional distress and enhance satisfaction, functioning, resilience under duress, goal attainment, and joy in the process of living” may be implemented using a holistic approach to behavioral health care.
Generally, once people achieve a higher level of functioning they are then able to experience an improved quality of life. Regarding quality of life, the APA states:
[T]he extent to which a person obtains satisfaction from life. The following are important for a good quality of life: emotional, material, and physical well-being; engagement in interpersonal relations; opportunities for personal (e.g., skill) development; exercising rights and making self-determining lifestyle choices; and participation in society.
Enhancing quality of life is a particular concern for those with chronic disease or developmental and other disabilities, for those undergoing medical or psychological treatment, and for older adults.
Whereas client X’s quality of life may improve with her ability to shower once per week, client Y’s quality of life is enhanced with his performance through physical fitness training. Thus, each of my clients has different levels of functioning and quality of life standards along with their differing abilities.
The Aristotelian term “eudaimonia,” per one source, translates to “the state or condition of good spirit, and which is commonly translated as happiness or welfare.” As an example, because I fulfil my telos as a psychotherapist, I thus experience a eudaimonic lifestyle.
Presuming that you understand what I mean by level of functioning and quality of life, I look forward to further pursuing my function as a psychotherapist by trying to help you achieve success with the practical application of these concepts. You may contact me for further information.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help 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 try 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 trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
AEI. (n.d.). About Albert Ellis, Ph.D. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/about-albert-ellis-phd/
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Function. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/function
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Quality of life. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/quality-of-life
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. (n.d.). What is functioning? Retrieved from https://thl.fi/en/topics/functioning/what-is-functioning-
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Hollings, D. (2024, January 18). Active and directive. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/active-and-directive
Hollings, D. (2024, May 30). Behavioral health care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/behavioral-health-care
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
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Hollings, D. (2024, May 8). Resilience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/resilience
Hollings, D. (2024, May 6). Self-care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-care
Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Self-determination and autonomy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-determination-and-autonomy
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