[ DISCLAIMER ]   When recently listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by Lisa Marty , I heard her spin the song “ Circles (Extended Mix) ” (2024) by Deflee  and Panic Chase . Lyrics state, “We’re going around in circles. When is this going to end?”   Viewing these lyrics through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT), I think of an helpful exercise designed to enhance the therapeutic alliance . For context, the American Psychological As

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT), I invite people to consider beliefs  which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ) and healthy (subjectively beneficial to one’s own physical, mental, or emotional  state).     For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumpt

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) with client X recently, I used the analogy of how one’s life is similar to cake. As well, I engaged professional use of self  (a psychotherapist’s intentional and skillful use of one’s whole self as a tool for understanding ).   For context, I’m not typically fond of lemon-flavored food items. As an example, I enjoy cake quite a bit. However, I dislike lemony foods to the degre

[ DISCLAIMER ]   As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living  by Ryan Holiday  and Stephen Hanselman .   The authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Epictetus who stated, “What assistance can we find in the fight against habit? Try the opposite” (page 198). Similar to this recommendation , I

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Earlier this morning, when conducting my daily physical training activities, I heard the song “ Roaches ” from the album Punken  (2018) by groovy Houston lyricist Maxo Kream . At the end of the track, a woman believed to be Maxo’s mom states:   Punken, pull your pants up, boy But you know what? Punken, I’m so proud of you You came a long way Keep it up with your music You doin’ good, keep doin’ you   The vocal tone and inflection of the woman at the end of “R

[ DISCLAIMER ]   According to one source , “Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a pseudoscientific approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy ” that “asserts a connection between neurological processes, language, and acquired behavioral patterns.”   While I’m not a practitioner of NLP, I appreciate some of its concepts. Specifically, I value  the tool of a referential index shift. Regarding this matter, one source states:   The Referential Index Sh

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) is a psychotherapeutic modality  that, in part, uses a scientific approach  to mental, emotional, and behavioral health  (collectively “ mental health ”). Regarding the scientific method used in this way, one source  thusly describes it:   It involves careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed , given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation. It involv

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Throughout my life, my behavior has shifted back and forth regarding the hair above my neckline (i.e., on my face and head). This issue represents a changing opinion  (a view, judgment , or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter), about which I stated in Nightshift :   When I was young, my thick and naturally curly hair grew relatively quickly. Because hairstyling was considered an unaffordable luxury, my mom favored inexpensive buzz cuts (a

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Many years ago, when I was relatively new to the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health  (collectively “mental health”), I worked with children (also referred to as “littles”). On one particular day, the woman tasked with training me used an expression I found humorous.   “How do you eat an elephant?” she asked a little as I shadowed my trainer. The child client sat for a moment and thought. “I don’t know,” the little said when shrugging. “One bite

[ DISCLAIMER ]   In a blogpost entitled Assumptions , I said, “An assumption is defined as assuming that something is true  or a fact ,...

[ DISCLAIMER ]    There are two words that I heard in my childhood and which apparently have gained resurgence of interest by today’s...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I sat at a table in Torchy’s Tacos and awaited my takeout order when five multiracial males of approximately middle to...

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit (edited), fair use   There’s a scene  in the stoner comedy film Dude, Where’s My Car?  (2000) in which...

[DISCLAIMER]   Recently, a longtime client and I laughed about apparent synchronicities (coincidental occurrences of events, especially...

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit (edited), property of Walt Disney Feature Animation, fair use   There’s a scene  in the film The Little...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   During the time that it aired, I was a fan of That ‘70s Show (1998-2006) which was set between 1976 to 1979. One of the...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I’m a professional practitioner of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) which is a psychotherapeutic modality  that...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The first time I recall hearing about the distinction between reinforcement and punishment was when residing in a...

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above photo depicts me punching a wide-eyed rabbit in what one would imagine is a scene from a frightening dream. I’ll provide context on this matter in a bit. For now, I invite you to learn about the concept known as use of self. I think this can be a valuable tool if used properly.   When I attended graduate school for counseling (2009-2011), I was taught that psychotherapists could combine personal and professional aspects of oneself in order to enhan

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When practicing rational emotive behavior therapy  (REBT) with clients, I often encourage people to come up with...