Photo credit, property of Universal Studios, fair use
When I was a child, I enjoyed the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Describing the plot, one source states:
After a gentle alien [extraterrestrial; “E.T.”] becomes stranded on Earth, he is discovered and befriended by a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Bringing him into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as he is dubbed, to his brother, Michael, and sister, Gertie, and they decide to keep his existence a secret. Soon, however, he falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both him and Elliott.
The movie appealed to me for many reasons, to include age similarity between the leading child actors and me. Another element I appreciated was E.T.’s ability to heal Elliot’s cut with the touch of the alien’s finger.
Although I’ve no direct evidence of extraterrestrial lifeforms which practice the art of curing what ails humans, through my approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) I attempt healing—the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again.
Using REBT techniques and various other tools, I aim to help people get better and not merely feel better. Admittedly, not always am I successful regarding this endeavor.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned from attempts to help people in my personal and professional life, getting better is as foreign a concept to some individuals as an alien lifeform that can cure minor cuts with the touch of a finger. There may be many reasons for why this is the case.
Rather than bloviating about my suspicions in this regard, I opt for an alternative approach. I use unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), an REBT technique that recognizes human fallibility.
Just as I’m a flawed individual, other people are also imperfect. In addition to UOA, I consider limits regarding my ability to influence people. For a multitude of reasons, some individuals simply cannot be persuaded or they refuse to be influenced concerning the process of self-improvement.
Considering restriction of my ability to assist people with improving their lives, I think of the abbreviation “E.T.” Rather than representing “extraterrestrial,” I transform it into an acronym that represents effort and time.
By “effort,” I’m referring to a serious attempt. Regarding “time,” I’m addressing the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.
I devote a considerable amount of effort and time toward the practice of mental, emotional, and behavioral healing. Aside from seeing individual clients, I attempt to help friends and others in my personal life.
As well, I frequently post blog content so that virtually anyone around the globe can access information (for free) that may help with improving one’s level of functioning and quality of life. Nonetheless, not all people want help – and surely not all who believe they do.
My objective with REBT is to aid with understanding of, belief in, and practice of this helpful psychotherapeutic modality. For those individuals who understand and perhaps believe in REBT, though who positively refuse to practice valuable techniques, I use UOA.
With this consideration, I think about how the ultimate goal in the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was to assist the alien with returning home. In this way, I admit that I won’t stay bound to this life forever.
Those individuals who receive help from me, and who actually practice the techniques and tools I offer, will hopefully benefit immensely. For everyone else with whom I’ve had contact and attempted to assist with the process of healing, and who’ve refused assistance, may their effort and time be better applied elsewhere.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Blog – Categories: Tools. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/blog/categories/tools
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2022, November 4). Human fallibility. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/human-fallibility
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2024, January 11). REBT elevator pitch. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rebt-elevator-pitch
Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Hollings, D. (2022, September 3). You gon’ die: The existential window. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-gon-die-the-existential-window
Jwelch5742. (n.d.). E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial plot. IMDb. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083866/plotsummary/
Morgan, C. (2022, November 8). 20 facts you might not know about ‘E.T.: The Extraterrestrial’ [Image]. YardBarker. Retrieved from https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_et_the_extraterrestrial/s1__35132396
Movieclips. (2011, June 16). Ouch! - E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (5/10) movie clip (1982) HD [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/mGA_uH0-n28?si=AnViFgxHQC1zy97a
Wikipedia. (n.d.). E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial
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