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Unconditionally Accepting Lemon Cake
[ 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
Deric Hollings
6 days ago8 min read
A Constructivist and Postmodernist Approach to Mental Health
[ DISCLAIMER ] Scenario Imagine that you and I attend the shooting range (also known as a firing range, gun range, or shooting ground, which is a specialized facility, venue, or field designed specifically for firearm usage qualifications, training, practice, or competitions). In this scenario, we’re shooting pistols. When engaging paper targets, we detect light audible sounds which indicate the impact of bullets (rounds, as of various types of metal, to be fired from
Deric Hollings
Dec 27, 202521 min read
I Don't Agree With Everything That Anyone Says
[ DISCLAIMER ] I don’t agree with everything that anyone says. “Anyone?” you may ask. Anyone! Taking this proclamation a step further, I don’t agree with everything that even I’ve ever said. “What?” you may respond. After all, I’m able to change my mind when considering additional information. Therefore, there are many positions I’ve historically supported that I don’t currently advocate. Personally, this approach to rational living is how one may achieve what Stoic a
Deric Hollings
Oct 30, 202511 min read
I Can't Stand It!
[ DISCLAIMER ] When providing psychoeducational lessons on the ABC model , one of the major techniques of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I find it useful to discuss the finer points of beliefs which are irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason ). 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 assumption , not the occurr
Deric Hollings
Oct 23, 20254 min read
Epicureanism and Hedonism
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use The Epicurean On their album Demi Glacé (2019), hip hop group Vendetta Kingz released the track “ The Epicurean ” upon which it is stated “life is best lived to the fullest,” “enjoy the finer things,” and “enjoy the fruits of my labor; epicure, beauty in the flavor.” For context, an “epicure” is one with sensitive and discriminating tastes, especially in food or wine, and this term archaically related to one devoted to sensual pl
Deric Hollings
Oct 21, 202518 min read
The More You Know
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , property of NBCUniversal, fair use A number of friends and I used to send text messages to one another...
Deric Hollings
Oct 5, 20258 min read
You Are Not a Bad Person
[ DISCLAIMER ] * Black Rabbit (2025) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit , property of Netflix, fair use Because I’m a fan of...
Deric Hollings
Sep 28, 202511 min read
Options
[ DISCLAIMER ] The Wisdom of My Late Stepmom Earlier, I listened to the track “ Options ”, from the Su & Tye – EP (2025), by Sule ...
Deric Hollings
Aug 31, 202514 min read
A Preventative Approach to Self-Disturbance
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit (edited), fair use When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)...
Deric Hollings
Aug 26, 20257 min read
An Abortive Approach to Self-Disturbance
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit (edited), photo credit (edited), fair use When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive...
Deric Hollings
Aug 26, 20258 min read
What Type of Monster Does That?
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use Imagine visiting someone’s home and needing to relieve yourself in the bathroom. It’s not number...
Deric Hollings
May 18, 20254 min read
Plato's Allegory of the Cave
[ DISCLAIMER ] For most of my life, I was allegorically chained to a wall in the cave of ignorance (lacking of knowledge, education, or...
Deric Hollings
Apr 30, 20257 min read
I'm Unaware of a Quick Fix
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , Nickelodeon Animation Studio, fair use * Avatar: The Last Airbender spoiler herein There’s a scene in...
Deric Hollings
Apr 4, 20255 min read
Far Behind
[ DISCLAIMER ] In 2007, when living in Bomb City , a friend of mine (“Tweety”) introduced me to the song “ Far Behind ” from the punk...
Deric Hollings
Jan 13, 202511 min read
Traditional ABC Model
[ DISCLAIMER ] Imagine that you sought my services for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”). Aside...
Deric Hollings
Jan 9, 20257 min read
This May Be Why You Aren't Getting Better
[ DISCLAIMER ] One main objective of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is to help people actually get better rather than to...
Deric Hollings
Dec 24, 20246 min read
Activation
[DISCLAIMER] “Activation” may be defined as the action or process of making something active or operative. Here, “action” may be defined...
Deric Hollings
Mar 23, 20243 min read
REBT and Emotions
[DISCLAIMER] When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I occasionally encounter criticism about the perceived promotion...
Deric Hollings
Mar 14, 20244 min read
Unfortunate Events
[DISCLAIMER] Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) operates on two fundamental principles: The ABC model and unconditional acceptance....
Deric Hollings
Mar 4, 20243 min read
Go with the Flow
[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, fair use Although the above-featured image was generated using artificial intelligence, the scene reminds me...
Deric Hollings
Mar 2, 20247 min read
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