[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. Regarding my professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”),

[DISCLAIMER] I appreciate that lyricist Awon collaborated with music producer Phoniks on the album Nothing Less (2021). In particular, I reminisce upon the song “Fatherhood”, which was produced by DJ Eveready. Through a mix of various audio samples and Awon’s contribution, the chorus states: Be a father (inspiration when I write, I see my daughter’s eyes) Be a father (resurrect through the birth of my son, and live again) Fatherhood, it ain’t nothin’ like it Baby born, an

[DISCLAIMER] When serving in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps (1996-2007), as a sergeant (E-5), I met a female Marine (E-3) who told me that she was divorced from her male Marine husband (E-3). As it turned out, she was physically separated and going through a divorce, not actually divorced. Senior enlisted and officer personnel within my command ordered me not to maintain contact with the woman until her divorce was finalized (e.g., formal reprimand). Fellow junior-en

[DISCLAIMER] When a family with whom I attended Churches of Christ services invited me to live with them from a children’s home in which I was a resident during high school, I was used to the unhelpful practice of damning (bringing damnation—a state of being led from condemnation or ruin). In particular, I unproductively engaged in self-damning (causing or leading to one’s own condemnation or ruin, as in unfavorably criticizing oneself). Remarkably, my Christian faith tau

[DISCLAIMER] Lyricist 2Pac released his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995), during my senior year of high school. Per my recollection, my peers who weren’t as focused on rap as I expressed adoration for the album. On it was the track “Dear Mama”, about which one source states: Dedicated to his mother, Afeni Shakur, Shakur [2Pac] details his childhood poverty and his mother’s addiction to crack cocaine, but argues that his love and deep respect for his mother

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use On the collaborative album The Darkest Hour (2017), by rapper Madchild and music producer Evidence, is the song “Club 33”, with contribution by music producer the Alchemist, on which Madchild states, “Words keep bouncin’ ‘round my head, just like a pinball.” For context, one source states, “Pinball games are a family of games in which a ball is propelled into a specially designed table where it bounces off various

[DISCLAIMER] I enjoy the album The Dynospectrum (1998) by hip hop collective The Dynospectrum (comprised of lyricists Slug, I Self Divine, Sab the Artist, and Swift—all who performed under the pseudonyms Sep Se7en, Pat Juba, General Woundwart, and Mr. Gene Poole, respectively). Noteworthy, the first song on the anthology is “You Can Lose Your Mind” on which Sep Se7en states, “Became accustomed to carrying weight, and waiting for better days to come, and if they don’t come

[DISCLAIMER] My late stepmom sometimes voiced the expression, “The same thing’ll make you laugh’ll make you cry.” Regarding this saying, it’s worth noting that the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines laughter: [V]ocal expression of amusement, enjoyment, or derision, characterized by inspiratory and expiratory movements occurring in rapid succession. Laughter is pleasurable because it serves to release tension built up when people listen to an amusing sto

[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.

[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), using the ABC model to dispute various irrational beliefs, I often encounter the matter of falsifiability and unfalsifiability. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines falsifiability: [T]he condition of admitting falsification: the logical possibility that an assertion, hypothesis, or theory can be shown to be false [not genuine] by an observation or experiment. The m

[DISCLAIMER] Blog Entries Dating Back Several Years Have Vindicated My Views The photo above was taken in June 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I was highly skeptical of claims regarding the United States (U.S.) government’s response to COVID-19, masking procedures were required within my place of employment. I complied with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Anthony Fa

[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