Although I never read any of the literature produced by J. R. R. Tolkien, I’ve enjoyed film adaptations of his work. To this day, the movies stemming from his work are among some of my favorite ever.
In Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of Tolkien’s legacy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, wizard Gandalf the Grey humorously advises hobbit Frodo Baggins, “A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”
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.
However, what is understood about this psychotherapeutic modality regards what one prominent REBT source states, “REBT can be very liberating but is not a magic solution to life’s problems.” Albeit a force for personal change, REBT doesn’t function according to supernatural power.
Regarding this matter, page 103 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion (“Pocket Companion”) invites REBT practitioners to ask clients whether they want to improve slowly, moderately, or quickly. As well, we’re encouraged to ask clients if they want to put forth little, moderate, or much effort toward their progress.
Answers to these questions may determine the tempo and challenge one may expect from the psychotherapeutic process. Page 103 of the Pocket Companion further states, “Show those clients who want to improve very quickly while expending little effort that they are looking for magic.”
Again, I’m an REBT practitioner and not a practitioner of magic. Generally speaking, the speed at which clients improve is in proportion to the amount of effort they devote to the process.
Therefore, clients’ progress isn’t inherently late, nor is it early, because the effort people devote to changing their own lives occurs precisely when their accomplishments were intended to. If one works as quickly as a wizard, perhaps one’s achievements will be on time.
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:
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. ISBN 0-917476-26-3. Library of Congress Control Number: 20031044378
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. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
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
Matweychuk, W. J. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions. REBTDoctor. Retrieved from https://rebtdoctor.com/frequently-asked-questions/
QuoteTheGuy. (2014, January 17). A wizard is never late [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/cZr3csN9tRc?si=N5MpnrU3hUGl9oKT
Sleeping Along The Razor’s Edge SATRE. (2024, March 11). Wizard riding a motorcycle through the clouds [Image]. Playground. Retrieved from https://playground.com/post/wizard-riding-a-motorcycle-through-the-clouds-haze-ultra-d-cltmuhkwa09nrs601cf58nhoq
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Frodo Baggins. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frodo_baggins
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gandalf. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandalf
Wikipedia. (n.d.). J. R. R. Tolkien. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Peter Jackson. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Left-hand path and right-hand path. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-hand_path_and_right-hand_path
Wikipedia. (n.d.). The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring
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