Impressions

[DISCLAIMER]

In 2009, hardstyle electronic dance music (EDM) artist Brennan Heart released his first album as a solo artist, Musical Impressions. On the anthology, the track “Musical Impressions” begins with a man stating, “Musical impressions define inspiration for years.”

Thereafter, the beat kicked in and people’s ears presumably got melted off at raves upon the song’s release. The end. When thinking about impressions from the standpoint of mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), it may be useful to define terms.

According to the American Psychological Association, an impression is defined as either the presumed effect of stimulation on the brain, or a vague or unanalyzed judgment or reaction. For instance, it’s my impression that ears were proverbially melted off as Heart’s song played.

In common parlance, an impression is an especially marked and often favorable influence or effect on feeling, sense, or mind. As an example, I have the impression that people who enjoy hardstyle EDM will appreciate Heart’s track. Thus, an impression is similar to a belief.

Impressions relate to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in regard to the ABC model that illustrates when an Action occurs and one Believes an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s one’s unfavorable assumption, and not the occurrence itself, that causes a Consequence.

For example, someone who isn’t a fan of hardstyle hears “Musical Impressions” (Action) and Believes, “This song is awful, and I can’t stand such a worthless track, so it shouldn’t be heard by anyone!” With this unhelpful attitude the individual then experiences disgust (Consequence).

In REBT, the outcome of a Belief-Consequence connection is known as self-disturbance. Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful impressions, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of these assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs.

Imagine that instead of using a rigid impression, an individual instead maintains, “Although I don’t prefer tracks like ‘Musical Impressions’, negatively evaluating it as ‘worthless,’ or labeling my experience as ‘awful,’ isn’t helpful. Besides, I can stand it, even though I don’t like it.”

Which musical impression will better serve this person’s interests and goals, as they relate to not experiencing disgust, the former or latter impression? I’m sorry, what’d you say? I was too busy getting my ears melted off when listening to “Musical Impressions” than to hear your response.

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 EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, 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

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Impression. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/impression

Apple Music. (n.d.). Musical Impressions. Apple Inc. Retrieved from https://music.apple.com/us/album/musical-impressions/324680379

Genius. (n.d.). Musical Impressions [Image]. Retrieved from https://genius.com/albums/Brennan-heart/Musical-impressions

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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hardstyle. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardstyle