Put You On

[DISCLAIMER]

Earlier, when listening to the album Bandana (2019), the second collaborative studio album by lyricist Freddie Gibbs and record producer Madlib, I thought of a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) as I heard the track “Fake Names”.

Before I go any further, it’s worth an honorable mention regarding Madlib about how he switched up the beat midway through the track. The producer sampled The Sylvers’ song “Cry of a Dreamer” from the album The Sylvers II (1973), which in my opinion was masterfully done.

In any event, when giving shoutouts (positive public acknowledgements), Gibbs named people who put him on. As an example, he stated, “Put me on, Otis put me on. Then, labor sixteen hours, Linda put me on.” I realize that some people may not be familiar with this expression.

To “put me on” means to inform me of something. For example, when teaching people about the ABC model and unconditional acceptance (UA)—the two main techniques used in REBT—I’m putting people on to knowledge, wisdom, and understanding about improving mental health.

Sometimes, the phrase “put you up on game” is also used. Describing this expression, one source states, “To tell someone new or uninformed how to survive in their environment, who to respect, who to get over on, and overall how to win (typically relating to the drug game or pimp game).”

There are others ways of expressing similar sentiment. Case and point, on the second studio album 2001 (1999), by rapper and producer Dr. Dre, is the song “Still D.R.E.” that featured rapper Snoop Dogg. Lyrics include, “If you ain’t up on thangs, Dr. Dre is the name.”

One important lesson about putting people on or up on game (or “thangs”) is that those who are taught information preferably should want to learn. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time and effort to devote precious resources toward helping improve their level of functioning and quality of life.

For instance, my clients pay me to help refine the REBT lessons I offer for free within my blog. What I’m paid for regards individualized tailoring of one’s own application of the ABC model and UA. Alternatively, people on the Internet can learn this self-help model on their own.

Yet, if my clients then teach other people in their life these same techniques, though the individuals to whom the tools are taught don’t want to learn about REBT, then my clients will have wasted their time, effort, and other resources when people don’t value self-improvement.

This is a helpful takeaway for me, as well. Currently, I’m trying to put you on to REBT. But, if you have no desire to improve your mental, emotional, and behavioral health, then it would be unproductive for me to foolishly demand that you absolutely must want to learn.

In such an instance, I’d be wise to masterfully switch up the beat of my own proverbial drum – much like Madlib did on “Fake Names” – and focus my time, effort, and other resources elsewhere. In that case, if you ain’t up on thangs, then that’s on you – not me.

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

References:

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