top of page
Search

Intellect: Practitioners of Prediction, Not Prophecy

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 2 days ago
  • 6 min read

 

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines intellect as “the intellectual functions of the mind considered collectively” and “an individual’s capacity for abstract, objective reasoning, especially as contrasted with their capacity for feeling, imagining, or acting.”

 

For clarity, the APA also defines intellectual function as “any of the mental functions involved in acquiring, developing, and relating ideas, concepts, and hypotheses. Memory, imagination, and judgment can also be considered intellectual functions.”

 

Regarding intellect and intellectual function, the APA suggests consideration of higher mental process, which it defines as “any of the more complex types of cognition, such as thinking, judgment, imagination, memory, and language.”

 

Given these definitional standards, I assert that the efficacy of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) necessitates that one empirically must retain a higher degree of intellect than not. I state this not only regarding clients, though as it also pertains to psychotherapists.

 

My clients and I are practitioners if we practice REBT, as one source says, “REBT practitioners tend to be intellectually, cognitively, or philosophically inclined and become attracted to REBT because the approach provides them with opportunities to fully express this tendency” (page 30).

 

Recently, I discussed with client X the matter of intellect and how I engage in a collaborative process when engaging with clients. When working toward client X’s interests and goals, practicing REBT techniques, we are both practitioners (people who practice a skillful activity).

 

Specifically, I invited client X to consider prediction, which the APA defines as “an attempt to foretell what will happen in a particular case, generally on the basis of past instances or accepted principles.” This isn’t the same concept as prophecy.

 

For context, prophecy may be defined as an inspired utterance of a prophet—one who utters divinely inspired revelations: such as the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible, or one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God’s will.

 

Whereas prediction uses logic (interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable) and reason (a statement offered in explanation or justification), prophecy regards one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight.

 

I’m not a prophet, nor is anyone to whom I provide care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”). Rather, using a higher level of intellect, practitioners of REBT use imperfect thinking which is both logical and reasonable (collectively “rational”).

 

For example, imagine that client X is on a raft that floats on a river with a waterfall. Using rational thinking, which necessitates a relatively high degree of intellect, I can predict that if client X doesn’t divert from the course of travel, then this person will be swept over the fall.


Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use

 

This if-then form of logic applies to a syllogism (a deductive scheme of a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion) known as modus ponens. As such, this sort of imperfect prediction isn’t akin to perfect prophecy coming from a deity.

 

I share this psychoeducational lesson with you, as client X also recently required clarification when we practiced REBT techniques. If you, too, want to become a practitioner of REBT, given that you retain the intellect necessary for practice, then you may also benefit from this lesson.

 

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:

 

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

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

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Efficacy. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/efficacy

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Higher mental process. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/higher-mental-process

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

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2023, November 15). Intellect. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/intellect

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Intellectual function. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/intellectual-function

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

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

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

Ellis, A. and Dryden, W. (2007). The practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-practice-of-rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-2nd-edition-d175734840.html

Hollings, D. (2025, December 2). Being a good person: You cannot perfect the imperfectible. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/being-a-good-person-you-cannot-perfect-the-imperfectible

Hollings, D. (2026, February 19). Conclusions in search of rationale. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conclusions-in-search-of-rationale

Hollings, D. (2024, February 9). Diminished faculties and faulty memory. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/diminished-faculties-and-faulty-memory

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

Hollings, D. (2025, May 16). Eff the logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/eff-the-logic

Hollings, D. (2025, December 4). Empirical dispute. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-dispute

Hollings, D. (2026, April 12). Excuses, explanations, and justifications. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/excuses-explanations-and-justifications

Hollings, D. (2025, December 13). Explanation and justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/explanation-and-justification

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. (2025, December 26). Hypotheses and foregone conclusions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/hypotheses-and-foregone-conclusions

Hollings, D. (2024, April 15). Intellectual honesty and integrity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/intellectual-honesty-and-integrity

Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals

Hollings, D. (2025, April 23). Judgment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/judgment

Hollings, D. (2026, March 11). Just the facts. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/just-the-facts

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

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

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. (2025, November 16). Mental health, mental illness, and mental disorder. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-health-mental-illness-and-mental-disorder

Hollings, D. (2026, March 7). Mind, body, and soul. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mind-body-soul

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2026, May 21). Objective reasoning: Truth about the reality of suicide. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/objective-reasoning-truth-about-the-reality-of-suicide

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2024, June 17). On free will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-free-will

Hollings, D. (2025, April 9). Perception, action, and will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-action-and-will

Hollings, D. (2025, May 3). Predictability of logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/predictability-of-logic

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles

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. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2026, May 31). Standards and principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/standards-and-principles

Hollings, D. (2023, October 17). Syllogism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/syllogism

Hollings, D. (2026, May 15). The speed of thoughts and beliefs: Flipping the bird. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-speed-of-thoughts-and-beliefs-flipping-the-bird

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. (2024, February 6). This ride inevitably ends. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/this-ride-inevitably-ends

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 26). We’ll start from that premise. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/we-ll-start-from-that-premise

Hollings, D. (2026, March 8). You are not your beliefs or ideas. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/you-are-not-your-beliefs-or-ideas

© 2024 by Hollings Therapy, LLC 

bottom of page