I Complied

[DISCLAIMER]

Recently, I received a number of image takedown notices regarding photos used on my blogposts that were associated with media images – which I properly credited under standards of fair use. All the same, I complied with the requests, as no harm or abuse was intended.

Nevertheless, I consider this matter worthy of a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT). Specifically, use of the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA) well-served my interest and goal to remain in lawful compliance.

First, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that 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. This is known as self-disturbance.

Addressing how people upset 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.

Because I’m a professional practitioner of REBT who daily practices its techniques, I didn’t self-disturb (Consequence) with unfavorable Beliefs when receiving the image takedown notices (Action). Instead, I Effectively maintained, “It’s not my property, so I’ll comply.”

Second, REBT uses UA to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA). I find this technique especially useful for un-disturbing oneself.

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.

Regarding the image takedown notices, I concluded that I’m a fallible human being with control over only my reaction to inconvenient matters (USA). Also, I maintained that I’m likely unable to influence media entities to allow use of their content on my non-monetized blog (UOA).

Additionally, I reasoned that there are far more significant events currently unfolding in the world than allowing self-disturbance over images borrowed and credited from another online source (ULA). As such, I complied. Truly, none of this is worth self-disturbance. I complied.

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:

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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Stephen Covey. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey