Even Steven

[DISCLAIMER]

Regarding my daily practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I appreciate self-challenge related to use of the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA) that I wouldn’t typically encounter in my sessions with clients. This is done in the interest of rational living.

Today, I’ve chosen to find at least one psychoeducational lesson from the fourth commercial mixtape by rapper Trippie Redd, entitled A Love Letter to You 4 (2019). As such, I present the track “Even Steven” which was produced by Pi’erre Bourne.

For context, the term “even Steven” relates to having the same score: capable of going one way or the other. Extracting a worthwhile lesson from the track is a bit challenging, given the material with which I’m left to work. For instance, consider lyrics of the chorus:

She suck my dick so well, she ain’t even teethin’ (Oh my God)

Run up in your crib, kill you for no reason, yeah (Yeah)

Don’t give a fuck ‘bout mama grievin’, yeah

Pull up with them choppers and I get even, yeah, get even

Self-challenge accepted! The first tool of REBT is the ABC model that illustrates when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence.

In this imagined example, Trippie Redd perceives that he’s been wronged (Action) and he Believes, “You shouldn’t have wronged me, so I’ll run up in your crib and kill you, because it’s even Steven!” With this form of demandingness, the rapper experiences anger (Consequence).

Addressing how people disturb themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Aside from the chorus of “Even Steven”, I appreciate the sample of You on Kazoo! (1989) that was used in the intro of the track. Describing the audio selection, one source states:

A young boy named Brett is very scared of playing with other kids. While also expressing his love of kazoos, he eventually no longer becomes nervous of playing and plays with the other kids; thanks to the help of his new friend, the viewer.

Specifically, Brett states, “Oh, hi. Wait a minute! Who are you? I’ll tell you a secret. Sometimes I get a little quiet when I meet lots of new kids,” as the scene cuts to the kid energetically playing a kazoo. He then says, “You know what? I think we’re gonna be friends—special friends.”

This brings me to the second tool of REBT is UA that relieves self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

Whereas the ABC model is a scientific approach to wellness, UA serves as a philosophical method for un-disturbing yourself. I view the former as an abortive approach to disturbance and the latter as a preventative method. Of course, not all REBT practitioners use the same style as I.

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

Imagine that the sample of You on Kazoo! which is used on “Even Steven” represents young Brett’s acceptance of himself as a shy person (USA) while acknowledging his limited ability to change the behavior of others (UOA) or the uncertainty of life (ULA).

Instead of self-disturbing with unfavorable beliefs, Brett enlists the help of the viewer and his enthusiastic kazoo skills to tolerate and accept discomfort of a novel moment (i.e., meeting new people). By continually self-challenging, the boy would eventually establish resilience.

In similar fashion, though without enlistment of a kazoo, I increase my proficiency with use of REBT tools through daily practice of these techniques. Even Steven! Now, you can do the same. Also, if you’d like to know more about REBT, then I look forward to hearing from you.

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

Photo credit, fair use

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