Have you ever wondered how counseling theories developed? They just don’t appear one day in a text. Well perhaps they do, but that’s after a great deal of effort and thought, one must give some thought to the historical timeline and how the theories evolved. This helps us understand the key contributor’s focus. I suppose I am a novice historian and usually focus on time lines and historical perspectives when I tackle an unfamiliar topic.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evolution of ideas and thinking by some interesting philosophers, scientists, psychologists, and physicians. CBT is a blending of two theories BEHAVIORAL and COGNITIVE. The research clearly focuses on the 1950’s with the development of Albert Ellis’s, Rational Emotive Therapy.
Prior to this time period, recall the pioneering behaviorists such as Pavlov & Skinner who paved the way for the behavioral treatment of emotional disorders. Corey,G. (2005).Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (7th edition).,pgs. 273-275 Belmont,CA:Brooks/Cole.
The author Gerald Corey emphasizes Ellis in some detail crediting his theories with a historical perspective, as well. Ellis was described as a thinker interested in the “Stoics”. Who were the Stoics?
The great “Stoics” and their philosophical discussions are linked to social evolutions and the development of monotheism; and specifically the advent of moralistic discussions regarding man and his roles in society. Zeno of Citium, c.334-c.262 BC sited to be the founder of modern philosophy.
Ellis was interested in Epictetus a “Stoic Philosopher”; Epictetus, c.AD 50-c.AD 138.,
who emphasized indifference to external goods and taught that the true good is within oneself, (Corey, G.,p. 276 (2009). Alfred Adler (1870-1937) is credited by Dr. Ellis as an influential precursor as well, (Corey, G.,p. 276 (2009). .
Cognitive therapy was developed by Aaron T Beck, MD; a result and a break in his original belief of psychoanalysis, CT was developed in conjunction with his clinical practice searching for solutions to depression.
He believed that focusing on the present was critical to successful treatment of depression, which was his inspiration for development of cognitive therapy. According to some biographers he was inspired by Ellis’s writings and the development of RET.
During the 60’s and the subsequent decades, there were significant developments in the realm of research and publishing with both the Behaviorists’ and Cognitionists’. Some have said this was a time of rivals. We included a few milestones, important names and recent trend setters, Corey,G. (2005).
- B.F. Skinner (53) experimental analysis of behavior
- George Kelly (55) developed personal construct psychology
- Joseph Wolpe (58) begins working with “Shell Shocked Soldiers” now know as PTSD
- Maxie Maltsby (60’s) Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT)
- William Glasser (65) Reality Therapy
- A. Lazarus (66) publishes book title Psychological Stress & Coping Process
- A. Beck (67) publishes book Depression Clinical Experimental and Theoretical Aspects
- & other names to know D. Meisembaum, M. Mahoney, D. Burns, S. Yochelson & S. Samenow
List of therpist from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy