When a psychotherapy client has “intellectual” insight, she theoretically acknowledges that her beliefs may be erroneous and her behavior therefore is self-defeating. He wishes that he could change; but he actually makes no consistent effort to change; and he ends up by still firmly believing what he wishes he would not. When a client has “emotional” insight, she wishes, again, that she would change her compulsive orientations of believing and acting, but she also fully believes that she can change and she keeps working at changing until she really does significantly modify her thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. “Intellectual” insight is nothing but an idle New Year’s resolution (or fond dream) that one will alter effortlessly. “Emotional” insight is the determined work and practice that alone will make the wish or dream a reality….Albert Ellis
