Change Agent
In common parlance, change regards the act of making different in some particular way or aspect (e.g., losing weight by running). As well, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines an agent as “a means by which something is done or caused” (e.g., running to lose weight).
Thus, the APA defines a change agent as “a specific causative factor or element or an entire process that results in change, particularly in the sense of improvement. In psychotherapy research, a change agent may be a component or process in therapy that results in improvement in the behavior or psychological adaptation of a patient or client.”
In this regard, when teaching psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I note the distinction between intellectual insight and emotional insight. For context, one source states of this difference:
Intellectual insight is knowing lightly. It’s the agreement of the reasoning mind: yes, one bad review can’t total me; yes, disappointment isn’t a catastrophe; yes, yes, of course. Genuine, sincere, and thin. It lives in the part of the mind that reads books and wins debates, and it tends to be fully available at all times except the moment it’s needed.
Emotional insight is knowing in the bones: the same truth, but installed at the level where feelings get manufactured, so that when the event actually arrives, the body itself responds according to the new belief rather than the old one.
Intellectual insight occurs when I teach REBT techniques and a client expresses understanding of and belief in these helpful tools. Alternatively, emotional insight happens when a client repeatedly practices REBT techniques both inside and outside of our sessions (preferably daily!).
The anticipated outcome of understanding of, belief in, and frequent practice of REBT is that the change agent (i.e., daily practice!) will provide life-altering improvement regarding one’s level of functioning and quality of life. This is precisely how I’ve changed my life.
When reflecting upon the old me versus the new me, for lack of more suitable comparison terms, I’m reminded of an album entitled The Winning Team (2014)—a collaboration between lyricist AWAR and producer Vanderslice. It contained the track “Reincarnation”, produced by Trox.
Featuring a sample of the Operation Push Choir’s song “Guide Me O’ Thou Great Jehovah” (1973), AWAR carefully compares and contrasts his “old me” and “new me” differences. Apparently, his change agent resulted in improved outcomes which significantly altered his life.
From a humanistic approach to living, one doesn’t have to wait on Jehovah (or any other deities) to effect such change. Therefore, I encourage you to clearly define what changes you desire, develop a change agent, practice REBT for emotional insight, and pursue life-changing self-help!
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues 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 trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Agent. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/agent
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Change agent. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/change-agent
Apple Music. (n.d.). AWAR. Apple Inc. Retrieve from https://music.apple.com/us/artist/awar/179178164
Apple Music. (n.d.). The Winning Team. Apple Inc. Retrieve from https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-winning-team/894777272
Apple Music. (n.d.). Trox. Apple Inc. Retrieve from https://music.apple.com/us/artist/trox/1464134739
Apple Music. (n.d.). Vanderslice. Apple Inc. Retrieve from https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vanderslice/435370513
AWARVEVO. (2014, June 10). AWAR – Reincarnation [Image; video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ZyxDjhSgI1A?si=lT7qzn1nMERD2gUB
Discogs. (n.d.). The Operation Push Choir – The People’s Choir of Operation Push. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/master/919725-The-Operation-Push-Choir-The-Peoples-Choir-Of-Operation-Push
Everything IFS Academy. (n.d.). Module 14 — Rational emotive imagery | REBT course. Retrieved from https://www.everythingifs.com/post/academy-rebt-rational-emotive-imagery-free-course
Hollings, D. (2024, May 23). A humanistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-humanistic-approach-to-mental-health
Hollings, D. (2023, August 26). A series of unfortunate events. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-series-of-unfortunate-events
Hollings, D. (2026, February 8). Adaptive and maladaptive emotions and behavior. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/adaptive-and-maladaptive-emotions-and-behavior
Hollings, D. (2026, September 11). Bayesian reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bayesian-reasoning
Hollings, D. (2025, October 2). Because of x, the effect is y. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/because-of-x-the-effect-is-y
Hollings, D. (2026, July 1). Change is neither good nor bad. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/change-is-neither-good-nor-bad
Hollings, D. (2026, September 22). Changing a behavior through pure cognitive processes isn’t likely. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/changing-a-behavior-through-pure-cognitive-processes-isn-t-likely
Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation
Hollings, D. (2025, June 17). Daily practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/daily-practice
Hollings, D. (2024, October 21). Desire. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/desire
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2026, July 23). Endurance: Of course. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/endurance-of-course
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1
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. (2026, March 16). Hopeful anticipation vs. disturbing expectation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/hopeful-anticipation-vs-disturbing-expectation
Hollings, D. (2024, May 27). Intellectual vs. emotional insight. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/intellectual-vs-emotional-insight
Hollings, D. (2025, November 20). It’s gon’ have to be whatever. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/it-s-gon-have-to-be-whatever
Hollings, D. (2025, October 13). Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/knowledge-wisdom-understanding
Hollings, D. (2025, January 14). Level of functioning and quality of life. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/level-of-functioning-and-quality-of-life
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2026, September 18). On feelings… again. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings-again
Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth
Hollings, D. (2026, April 19). Outcome: Victim mentality and playing the victim. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/outcome-victim-mentality-and-playing-the-victim
Hollings, D. (2023, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice
Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
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. (2026, September 24). Self-help through use of the Bible. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-help-through-use-of-the-Bible
Hollings, D. (2026, January 25). Self-improvement from a Sisyphean perspective. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-improvement-from-a-sisyphean-perspective
Hollings, D. (2025, December 21). The awful, very bad, horrible, terrible, no good, unacceptable elements of life. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-awful-very-bad-horrible-terrible-no-good-unacceptable-elements-of-life
Hollings, D. (2025, October 22). The construct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-construct
Hollings, D. (2026, April 23). The three traditionally identified components of the mind: Affect, cognition, and conation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-three-traditionally-identified-components-of-the-mind-affect-cognition-and-conation
Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal
Hollings, D. (2025, April 18). Tolerable FAD. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tolerable-fad
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. (2023, May 3). Want vs. need. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/want-vs-need
Hollings, D. (2025, July 18). We decide whether to label something good or bad. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ we-decide-whether-to-label-something-good-or-bad
Hollings, D. (2026, August 19). Wisdom and acting justly are one and the same. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/wisdom-and-acting-justly-are-one-and-the-same
People’s Choir of Operation Push, The. (2020, July 9). Guide Me O’ Thy Great Jehovah [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/1bvcX1MqZJQ?si=EPEy2tkR6yHRIpGd
