When attending graduate school for counseling between 2009 and 2011, I was instructed to “demystify the process” of psychotherapy when working with clients. I subsequently received similar instruction when in graduate school for social work from 2012 to 2014.
In essence, counselors and social workers are encouraged to be as transparent as possible when helping people with their mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues. How might this be accomplished?
First, regarding my marketing strategy, I discuss the psychotherapeutic modality to which I subscribe so that individuals can explore whether or not this self-help approach to wellness is something in which they’re interested. Thus, I make it clear that I practice rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT).
Second, I make use of my professional website to discuss REBT, the price of services, what to expect with treatment or management of symptoms, and various other matters regarding the collaborative experience I provide. Therein, I’ve posted well over 900 blog entries for review by interested parties.
Third, I offer prospective clients an up-to 15-minute free telephonic consultation to determine appropriate fit for services. Just because I’ve been a life coach since the early ‘90s and have provided psychotherapeutic services since 2011 doesn’t mean that all people will like my style.
Fourth, when prospective clients agree to receive services from me, they complete the required paperwork that includes informed consent documentation. I want to assure that people understand, believe in, and agree to practice REBT, and this is the crucial first step to that end.
Fifth, during the initial documentation stage of entry to services, people receive a free REBT handout in order to familiarize themselves with the model I use. In fact, this resource is made available to the general public via my website. I invite you to take a look.
Sixth, at the initial session, I provide time to address questions and concerns which a new client may pose. In addition to being addressed in the required paperwork, this is the time during which limits to confidentiality are also addressed. I then like to demonstrate REBT using a client’s presenting problem.
Last, the ongoing psychotherapeutic process with a client serves as a continual method of demystification. Crucially, I aim to demonstrate to clients that I’m providing life coaching or counseling services, though I’m not making use of supernatural powers.
Although this may seem like an odd admission, there’s a rationale for addressing why my approach to psychotherapy isn’t to be confused with the practice of magic. For context, I stated in a blogpost entitled Quick Wizardry:
Admittedly, I don’t practice magic—the use of means, such as charms or spells, believed to have supernatural power over natural forces. And although my mother dabbled in the dark arts during my childhood, I’ve generally steered clear of the left-hand path.
Nevertheless, I’ve been informed that my practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is in alignment with some magic-based traditions. Because I remain unknowledgeable about this claim, I plead ignorance.
Unless I’m ignorant of the foundational components related to REBT, I don’t believe that what I’m practicing as a psychotherapist is akin to magic. Ergo, I’m not citing “psychotherapeutica” as a magical word to be used as an apotropaic incantation when addressing client problems.
Unwisely, some clients with whom I’ve historically worked have self-disturbingly believed otherwise. This is especially applicable to some clients of yesteryear who were involved in intimate partner relationships and who apparently believed I could magically address their issues.
Regarding this matter, authors of Creative Marriage state that “a counselor can’t just magically reverse major trends in people’s deep-seated feelings” (page 70). Although it would be wonderful to utter “psychotherapeutica” and be able to remedy client issues, I’m not a practitioner of magic.
Rather than performing mystical arts, I demystify the process of psychotherapy as much as possible. From there, I invite people to take personal responsibility and accountability for their role in romantic relationships and unpleasant outcomes.
One individual who wisely understands this approach to well-being recently told me something to the effect of, “When I first saw you, I though therapy would magically dissolve all my problems. Now, I realize that it just makes things more manageable, so I’ve changed myself.”
If there were a method such as the incantation “psychotherapeutica,” the outcome expressed by the aforementioned person would be the desired end. However, I’m simply not serving as a counselor and social worker so that I can change other people, the world, or life in general regarding clients.
Rather, I aim to help clients change how they react to other people, the world, or life in general. If this pragmatic approach to wellness sounds like something in which you may be interested, I’m here to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you 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 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 helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Ellis, A. and Harper, R. A. (1961). Creative Marriage. The Institute For Rational Living, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/creative-marriage-e184052310.html
Freepik. (n.d.). Rendering of wizard controlling magic [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/rendering-wizard-controlling-magic_51251735.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=38&uuid=9157d4d7-6f3e-4018-b8c9-af1d8ccaeb74
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
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. (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. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2024, April 10). Quick wizardry. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/quick-wizardry
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. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2024, June 5). Self-help. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-help
Hollings, D. (2024, June 19). Treatment vs. management. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/treatment-vs-management
Hollings, D. (2024, January 16). Understanding, belief, and practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/understanding-belief-and-practice
Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Apotropaic magic. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotropaic_magic
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Left-hand path and right-hand path. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-hand_path_and_right-hand_path
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