emotions | Hollings Therapy

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Emotional Appeals and Social Contagion

[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), as I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT herein. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification.

Logical Fallacies

Deric Hollings

7 days ago13 min read

Moods, Mood Swings, and Emotions

[DISCLAIMER] It’s likely noncontroversial to declare that in electronic dance music (EDM), Dutch DJ, musician and record producer Armin van Buuren is one of the quintessential trance music artists. Now, I invite you to consider his second compilation album, A State of Trance 2005 (2005). The anthology contained the track “Mood Swing” by EDM artist John Askew. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines mood: 1. any short-lived emotional stat

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Sep 295 min read

Interaction Between Thoughts, Beliefs, Feelings, Emotions, Actions, and Behaviors

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful n

Deric Hollings

Sep 1813 min read

On Feelings... Again

[DISCLAIMER] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), my preferred psychotherapeutic modality of personal and professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I frequently address the topic of feelings. REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurre

Deric Hollings

Sep 188 min read

Guilt Trip: A Self-Conscious Emotional Ride

[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Sep 615 min read

Disconnected

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Sara Collado, I heard her spin the track “Sleepy (DP-6 Dub)” (2025) by PTTY, LR, and DP-6. In the version spun by Collado, a woman’s voice can be heard saying “disconnected.” This reminds me of a personal anecdote. Given my appeal to rigor when attending graduate schools for counseling (2009-2011) and social work (2012-2014), as I maintain that the words people use matter, I was generally disconnecte

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Aug 1910 min read

Emotional Exhaustion: Drained, Agitated, and Overwhelmed

[DISCLAIMER] The American Psychological Association (APA) defines emotion as “a complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral, and physiological elements, by which an individual attempts to deal with a personally significant matter or event.” Colloquially, emotions are called feelings. Additionally, the APA defines exhaustion as “a state of extreme fatigue,” as the APA also defines fatigue as “a state of tiredness and diminished functioning. Fatigue is typi

Deric Hollings

Jul 157 min read

Feels Like a Dream

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Solour, I heard her spin the track “Kidz (CamelPhat Remix)” (2025) by Arodes. I then thought of a psychoeducational lesson relevant to my practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an un

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Jun 77 min read

I Feel You in My Mind

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Deva Vicci, I heard her spin the song “My Mind” (2025) by Korolova and JOA. In part, the lyrics state, “I feel you in my mind.” When hearing the track, I helpfully thought of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence

EDM and REBT

Deric Hollings

Jun 17 min read

Alternate Reality: Negative and Unhealthy Delusional Jealousy and Envy

[DISCLAIMER] Alternate Reality and Delusion On hip hop producer Nohokai’s album Mixed Emotions (2020) is the track “Golden Goose”, which features lyricist Slaine, as well as lyricist and singer Rite Hook. As it pertains to the current blogpost, Slaine states on his second verse: I guess it was all along I had known the truth That I was viewed as a golden goose These fruit loops want juice that they don’t produce So what happens when the chickens come home to roost? It’s

Hip Hop and REBT

Deric Hollings

Apr 3025 min read

The Effect of Affect

[DISCLAIMER] As it pertains to this blogpost, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines the term “effect” as “an event or state that is brought about as the result of another (its cause).” Specifically, cause and effect is the principle of causality, establishing one event or action as the direct result of another. As an example, if you place your hand in fire (Action), then you’ll likely sustain a burn (Consequence). Using the ABC model of Rational Emotive Beh

Deric Hollings

Apr 235 min read

Disgust

[ DISCLAIMER ] From the third compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019), by Dreamville Records , is the song “ Disgusted ” by rappers Cozz and Childish Major . The track begins with Cozz stating: I’m disgusted, she said she[’s] in love, but it’s nothin’ we discussed yet Says she love my hair, and that shit growin’ so luscious And she wanna fuck, but I know she fucked my cousin Every time I think about you I say, “You[’re] disgustin’!” Per the American Psych

Hip Hop and REBT

Deric Hollings

Apr 1713 min read

Adaptive and Maladaptive Emotions and Behavior

[ DISCLAIMER ] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I find it useful to discuss concepts which are accepted due to common knowledge (something that many or most people know). Often, what one presumes to know isn’t truly known by others. According to one source , regarding game theory , common knowledge may be described as “the idea that something is not merely known by all the players in the game, but is also known to be

Hip Hop and REBT

Deric Hollings

Feb 810 min read