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Objective Rationality: What Is Rational to You May Not Be Rational to Others
[ DISCLAIMER ] I recently attended a session with client X, who apparently contemplated that I’d validate this individual’s beliefs regarding a matter of disagreement with another individual, as I thought of a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) at the time. Before going further, it may be useful to define terms. When referring to thoughts or beliefs which are “ rational ,” I’m referencing those cognitive elements which remain in acco
Deric Hollings
6 days ago12 min read
Healthy Remorse vs. Unhealthy Guilt
[ DISCLAIMER ] Earlier, when listening to rapper Key Glock ’s sixth mixtape Son of a Gun (2020), I heard the song “ Cops N Robbers ” in which he states, “Throwin’ bullets, not knuckles. Young Glock Brady , I’ma score, yeah (Fire). Cutthroat to the core. I’ll kill a nigga with no remorse !” That’s when I thought about a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines remorse as “a s
Deric Hollings
Mar 2711 min read
Where Can I Get REBT Therapy in Austin, TX?
[ DISCLAIMER ] This blogpost is part of an ongoing series related to answering questions posted to artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and so forth. Question: Where can I get REBT therapy in Austin, TX? Answer: According to the American Psychological Association, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is thusly defined : [A] form of cognitive behavior therapy based on the concept that an individual’s self-defeating beliefs
Deric Hollings
Mar 255 min read
What Are Common Issues Treated by REBT in Texas?
[ DISCLAIMER ] This blogpost is part of an ongoing series related to answering questions posted to artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and so forth. Question: What are common issues treated by REBT in Texas? Answer: According to the American Psychological Association, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is thusly defined : [A] form of cognitive behavior therapy based on the concept that an individual’s self-defeating beli
Deric Hollings
Mar 255 min read
The House Negro and the Field Negro: Suffer Peacefully
[ DISCLAIMER ] Message to the Grass Roots On his 2018 album I Self Lord and Master (I.S.L.A.M.) , lyricist Recognize Ali released the song “ Liftin Me Higher ” that featured a sample of the 1963 speech “ Message to the Grass Roots ” by the late black nationalist leader el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (better known as Malcolm X ) who said: All the revolutions that’s going on in Asia and Africa today are based on what? Black nationalism . A revolutionary is a black nationali
Deric Hollings
Mar 2418 min read
What Is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Used For?
[ DISCLAIMER ] This blogpost is part of an ongoing series related to answering questions posted to artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and so forth. Question: What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy used for? Answer: According to the American Psychological Association, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is thusly defined : [A] form of cognitive behavior therapy based on the concept that an individual’s self-defeating b
Deric Hollings
Mar 235 min read
Concern With the Here and Now
[ DISCLAIMER ] I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a psychotherapeutic modality developed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis . Unlike other models which focus on the past (having existed or taken place in a period before the present), I stated of REBT in It’s In the Past : The overwhelming majority of clients with whom I’ve ever worked have discussed unresolved issues of the past. While I meet with these individuals in the present, I’m unable to alte
Deric Hollings
Mar 1710 min read
Blocked by Fears
[ DISCLAIMER ] When living in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (1999-2000), my girlfriend invited me to take cityscape photos at Pedra Bonita —one of the peaks in Tijuca National Park at approximately 520 meters above sea level. Noteworthy, in the above photo, I gripped her tightly out of more than passion. This is because I had undiagnosed acrophobia, which the American Psychological Association (APA) defines as “an excessive, irrational fear of heights, resulting in the avoid
Deric Hollings
Mar 139 min read
Becoming "Must Win Losers": Take the L
[ DISCLAIMER ] When recently listening to the song “ Slick Talk ” by lyricist JID , from his album DiCaprio 2 (2018), I paid close attention as he stated, “Pissed off, I done took my fifth loss this week. Big dog, I can scratch that shit off like fleas.” I then thought of a psychoeducational lesson. Before I proceed, a couple points of context may be useful. First, being “pissed off” means that one is angry , enraged , or irritated . Second, in hip hop, the phrase “take
Deric Hollings
Mar 129 min read
I Must Do Well, or Else I Will Be Worthless
[ DISCLAIMER ] The late psychologist Albert Ellis , who developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), formerly called Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), addressed the matter of self-downing (how people upset themselves with unhelpful beliefs about themselves) through use of a technique. 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 o
Deric Hollings
Mar 95 min read
Unhappiness Isn't Externally Caused: You Can Hoot, Hide, and Talk That Shit
[ DISCLAIMER ] I’ve paid close attention to the 2026 Iran war , which some United States (U.S.) politicians still uncharitably refuse to categorize as a “war,” as there’s an ongoing global discussion about the potential for World War III (WW III). About this matter, one source states: World War III, also known as the Third World War, is a hypothetical future global conflict subsequent to World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). It is widely predicted that
Deric Hollings
Mar 811 min read
Chasing Highs
[ DISCLAIMER ] I recently listened to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Saviela during which she spun the track “ Chasing Highs ” (2025) by Argy , Eli & Dani , Peki (Ofc) , and ØSHER. In part, lyrics state: Ridin’ solo Ridin’ solo, got the juice Plot on mine, cut me loose That’s that somethin’, I need new I get high, through the roof Ridin’ solo, chasing highs Stackin’ bills , watch ‘em fly Feel the rush, I can’t deny I’m gon’ roll through the ride I view th
Deric Hollings
Mar 75 min read
Better Let It Go
[ DISCLAIMER ] In 2006, hip hop duo Little Brother (lyricists Phonte and Big Pooh ) released Separate but Equal which contained the track “ Let It Go ”, produced by 9th Wonder , that featured lyricist Yasiin Bey and a sample of “ Got to Get Along ” (1976) by Jamaican reggae fusion band Third World . Notably, the hook states, “ Let it go . Ah, ah, let it go. Better let it go. Ah, just let it go. Pull it back, let it go. Ah, and let it flow, like… (All my hopes were
Deric Hollings
Mar 612 min read
Philosophy May Help
[ 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 Seneca who stated, “The person who has practiced philosophy as a cure for the self becomes great of soul , filled with confidence, invincible—
Deric Hollings
Feb 237 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
Deric Hollings
Feb 810 min read
It's Like This
[ DISCLAIMER ] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves through use of irrational beliefs ). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model of wellness . For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable a
Deric Hollings
Feb 512 min read
DERIC
[ DISCLAIMER ] When recently providing a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to someone who plans on starting a blog, I briefly discussed how I employ the technique of “ use of self ” with the content that I post. Admittedly, some REBT practitioners don’t do this. Presumably, some clinicians find it easier to discuss their clients, imaginary patients, research data concerning other people, or vague references to anyone other than themsel
Deric Hollings
Feb 49 min read
O Captain! My Captain! A Crisis of Conscience
[ DISCLAIMER ] * Dead Poets Society (1989) spoilers contained herein. Photo credit , property of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, fair use I can’t recall when I initially watched the coming-of-age drama film Dead Poets Society (1989), though I remember the first time was in my youth. In any event, I recently re-watched it for what may’ve been my third or fourth viewing of the film. Regarding the plot, one source states: Painfully shy Todd Anderson has been sent to
Deric Hollings
Jan 3114 min read
Really? Right in Front of My ABCs?
[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit (edited), fair use The psychotherapeutic modality I practice in both my personal and professional life is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Aside from the technique of unconditional acceptance , the other major tool associated with this model is aligned with the English alphabet . Specifically, 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
Deric Hollings
Jan 1510 min read
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
Dec 31, 20258 min read
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