It’s been a bit since I posted a blog entry specifically about death. Likewise, it’s been a moment since I posted an entry that didn’t take more than five minutes to read. Therefore, I’m challenging myself to push through my usual routine and presently remedy both of these issues.
In 2008, English DJ and production duo CamelPhat, as Whelan & Di Scala, released the electronic dance music (EDM) track “Outta Time” that featured the vocals of Abigail Bailey. I prefer the “Outta Time (Jim Rivers remix)” version of the track.
Unlike the former version that contains more vocal content, the latter remix uses a to-the-point message “outta time.” This phrase could be applied to many situations. Herein, I’ll provide two examples.
For the first example, I’m reminded of a recent rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) session with a client who sought psychotherapeutic services in relation to bereavement. Initially, this individual reported believing that we would talk about positivity in order to ease suffering.
This is understandable, given how mental, emotional, and behavioral health care is represented on social media platforms which the client is said to use. Presumably, focusing on positive elements of life will relieve one’s negative experience with death.
This makes sense in the interest of catharsis—the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from suppressed or repressed emotions. However, unlike other psychotherapeutic modalities, REBT aims to help people get better and not merely to feel better.
Positive thinking may result in a cathartic effect, thus relieving unpleasant emotions such as sorrow and anger associated with the death of a loved one. Yet, that effect is short-lived. As such, I find little utility in positivity for the sake of positive emotions.
This is because not long after a session a person may revert back to a state of discomfort which is caused by irrational beliefs about death and dying. Therefore, rather than avoiding discussion of unhealthy and healthy negative emotions; I invited the client to lean into this topic.
In this way, I used an existential approach to the issue – not “problem” – of death. There’s no need to pathologize the matter of death. It’s as natural as the process of living.
In fact, every person that lives will inevitably die. That’s a pretty normal condition, if you ask me. And although you may not have asked for my perspective, the aforementioned client did. In fact, the person pays me for my outlook which is framed through an REBT lens.
Thus, after a number of sessions the client began a recent appointment by declaring, “Thanks to you, I’m thinking more about death.” This was said with a smile on the client’s face and expressed gratitude for helping this person to actually get better.
I’d like to share with you a second example relating to CamelPhat’s song “Outta Time.” However, I’m outta time. If you didn’t get the intended message of this post (we all die!), I invite you to re-read it and digest its meaning before you run outta time.
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, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues 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:
1LaVog. (2012, February 18). Whelan & Di Scala - Outta Time feat. Abigail Bailey (original vocal mix) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Jz6_1smqB6A?si=ugpB586NkKlXKjzl
Discogs. (n.d.). Abigail Bailey. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/artist/192192-Abigail-Bailey
Freepik. (n.d.). Torn white paper with deadline text near the alarm clock against pink background [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/torn-white-paper-with-deadline-text-near-alarm-clock-against-pink-background_3966868.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=0&uuid=af07aec8-3f2e-46fa-867b-77180155fc99
Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
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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, May 18). Irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irrational-beliefs
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. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health
Hollings, D. (2024, September 4). Pathologizing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/pathologizing
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. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering
Hollings, D. (2024, March 18). Unhealthy vs. healthy negative emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unhealthy-vs-healthy-negative-emotions
Puchalski, K. (2011, March 16). Whelan & Di Scala Outta Time Jim Rivers rmx [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/OeBA90FMwGY?si=Tnp7BZvVE-S2c_PY
Wikipedia. (n.d.). CamelPhat. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CamelPhat
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