Diligent Hands

[DISCLAIMER]

When on leave from the Marine Corps, I was featured in a photo with a fellow Church of Christ member underneath a sign at the building in which we worshiped. The sign included a Tree of Life Version of Proverbs 10:4, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

The word “lazy” refers to one who is disinclined to activity or exertion; not energetic or vigorous. The term “diligent” relates to that which is characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.

Thinking about the biblical verse and my approach to care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I focus less on one who is “poor” (lacking material possessions) or who has “wealth” (abundance of valuable material possessions or resources).

Instead, I conceptualize “poor” as regarding that which is less than adequate and “wealth” as that which is in abundant supply. As it pertains to mental health, Proverbs 10:4 relates to energetic dedication, rather than a non-energetic or impoverished approach, to wealth of wellness.

Using this foundation, I advocate my clients actively participating in each of our sessions. Likewise, negotiated homework to be undertaken outside of sessions is preferably conducted in an energetic fashion. After all, an enthusiastic approach to mental health is a wealthy practice.

Now suppose that a client approaches improvement of symptoms, ideation, or behavior in a poor manner. The individual barely engages in our sessions and a lack of dedicated effort is demonstrated in between our appointments. What would be the likely outcome?

Without a diligent hands approach, the client may merely feel better about seeking mental health services while not necessarily getting better (becoming wealthy from a mental health perspective). I receive payment for services either way.

Yet, the client will not only waste money on our sessions, this person will also remain psychologically impoverished. Thus, I invite you to consider what I advocate with each of my clients. A diligent hands approach to mental health is more likely to result in proverbial wealth.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help 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 try 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 trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

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. (2024, April 18). Homework. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/homework

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Preferential should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferential-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

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. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well