Albert Ellis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert Ellis
Born	(1913-09-27)September 27, 1913 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Died	July 24, 2007(2007-07-24) (aged 93) New York, New York, US
Alma mater	City College of New York Downtown (BA) Columbia University (MA, PhD)
Known for	Formulating and developing rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy
Awards	2003 award from the Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (UK) Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 1996 Outstanding Clinician Award American Psychological Association 1985 award for Distinguished professional contributions to Applied Research American Humanist Association 1971 award for "Humanist of the Year" New York State Psychological Association 2006 Lifetime Distinguished Service Award American Counseling Association 1988 ACA Professional Development Award National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists' Outstanding Contributions to CBT Award American Psychological Association 2013 Award For Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology
Scientific career
Fields	Clinical psychology, philosophy, and psychotherapy

Albert Ellis (born September 27, 1913 – died July 24, 2007) was an American psychologist. He was a psychotherapist who created rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). He earned his master's and PhD degrees in clinical psychology from Columbia University.

Ellis also started and led the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City. He is known as one of the first people to develop cognitive-behavioral therapies. These therapies changed how people thought about mental health.

In a 1982 survey, psychologists in the US and Canada ranked him as the second most important psychotherapist ever. Psychology Today magazine said he had a huge impact on modern psychotherapy.

Early Life

Albert Ellis was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in The Bronx, New York City. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. He was the oldest of three children.

His father, Harry, was a broker who was often away. He didn't show much affection to his children. When Albert was a teenager, his parents divorced. He then lived only with his mother.

Ellis described his mother, Hattie, as self-centered. She had strong opinions but didn't listen well. She was also emotionally distant from her children. Albert often had to take care of his younger siblings. He bought an alarm clock to wake and dress them for school.

During the Great Depression, all three children worked to help the family. Albert was often sick as a child. He had kidney disease and other serious infections. He was hospitalized many times between ages five and seven. His parents rarely visited him in the hospital. Ellis learned to deal with his problems on his own.

As a teenager, Ellis was very shy around women. He also had a big fear of public speaking. At age 19, he decided to overcome his shyness. He forced himself to talk to 100 women in the Bronx Botanical Gardens. Even though he didn't get a date, he felt less afraid of rejection.

Education and Early Career

Ellis first earned a degree in business from the City College of New York Downtown in 1934. He tried working in business and as a writer. But it was during the Great Depression, so it was hard to find success.

In 1942, Ellis began studying for his PhD in clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. This program mainly taught psychoanalysis. He got his master's degree in 1943. He started a part-time private practice while still studying.

Ellis began publishing articles even before getting his PhD. In 1946, he wrote about different personality tests. He found that only one, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, was based on good research.

In 1947, he earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology. At first, Ellis believed that psychoanalysis was the best therapy. He trained in it and started practicing it. But over time, his faith in psychoanalysis began to fade.

Early Ideas in Psychotherapy

Ellis was influenced by other thinkers like Karen Horney and Alfred Adler. He also learned from Alfred Korzybski and his ideas about general semantics. Ancient philosophy, especially stoicism, and his own life experiences also shaped his new ideas.

From the late 1940s, Ellis worked on his own therapy. By 1953, he stopped using psychoanalysis. He started calling his new method "rational therapy." This new approach was more active and direct.

In 1955, he introduced rational therapy (RT). In RT, therapists help clients understand that their own beliefs cause their emotional pain. This method focused on changing self-defeating beliefs and behaviors. Ellis believed that by thinking logically, people could change their irrational thoughts.

In 1954, Ellis began teaching his new techniques to other therapists. By 1957, he formally introduced the first cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy suggested that changing thoughts and behaviors could treat emotional problems.

In 1960, Ellis presented his ideas at the American Psychological Association (APA) meeting. Few people realized how important his ideas would become. At that time, behaviorism and psychoanalysis were more popular. Ellis's focus on thinking was new and sometimes met with resistance.

Despite this, Ellis founded his own institute in 1959. It was called the Institute for Rational Living. By 1968, it became a training institute and clinic.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Ellis published his first big book on rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) in 1962. REBT is a therapy that helps people with emotional and behavioral problems. It aims to help them live happier and more fulfilling lives. REBT is considered the first type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Unconditional Self-Acceptance

Ellis taught that it's important to accept yourself just for being alive, human, and unique. He believed you shouldn't rate yourself based on what others think.

Religion

Ellis often debated religious psychologists. He argued that strong religious beliefs could sometimes lead to psychological problems. In 1971, he was named "Humanist of the Year" for his non-religious views. He also signed the Humanist Manifesto in 2003.

Ellis described himself as a "probabilistic atheist." This means he thought the chance of a god existing was so small it wasn't worth thinking about.

Over time, his views on religion and mental health changed. At first, he said that very strict religious beliefs were bad for mental health. He defined "religiosity" as any very strong, demanding belief, whether religious or not.

Later, Ellis made it clear that REBT works for everyone, no matter their beliefs. Many REBT therapists are religious, even ministers. He softened his stance against religion. He still believed atheism was healthy, but he also agreed that believing in a loving God could be good for mental health. He wrote books that showed how REBT could work with religious people.

Political Views

Ellis always supported peace and was against war.

Later Life

Professional Contributions

In the 1950s and 60s, many of Ellis's ideas were criticized. But his reputation grew a lot in the following years. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) became very popular. This was partly because of the strong research supporting it.

In the late 1960s, his institute started a professional journal. In the early 1970s, they opened "The Living School" for children. This school used REBT principles in its lessons.

Many psychological ideas were influenced by Albert Ellis. In a 1982 survey, psychologists ranked Ellis as more influential than Freud. In 1985, the APA gave him an award for his "distinguished professional contributions."

He held many important positions in professional groups. He also edited many scientific journals. Many groups gave him their highest awards.

In the mid-1990s, he changed the name of his therapy to rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). He did this to show how important thinking, feeling, and behaving are to his approach. He believed these three parts are always connected.

Public Appearance

Ellis's work went beyond just psychology. It touched on education, politics, business, and philosophy. He became a well-known public speaker. He often debated people who had different views than his.

From 1965 until he died, he led famous Friday Night Workshops. In these, he would do therapy sessions with people from the audience. In the 1970s, he started singing "rational humorous songs." These songs had funny lyrics with self-help messages. He also held workshops and seminars around the world.

Final Years

Until he became ill at age 92 in 2006, Ellis worked at least 16 hours a day. He wrote books, saw clients, and taught. On his 90th birthday in 2003, he received messages from famous people. These included President George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama.

In 2004, Ellis had serious health problems and needed surgery. He returned to work after a few months. In 2005, he was removed from the board of his own institute after a disagreement. He was put back on the board in 2006 after winning a court case.

Despite his health issues and hearing loss, Ellis kept working with his wife, Debbie Joffe Ellis. He died on July 24, 2007, at age 93. He wrote or co-wrote over 80 books and 1200 articles.

His last book was an autobiography called "All Out!" It was published after his death. He trusted his wife, Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, to continue his work. In 2011, their book Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy was released. It explains REBT for students and the public.

In 2013, Ellis was given the APA Award For Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. This award recognized his huge impact on psychology.

Philosophical Works

His book The Road To Tolerance (2004) explains the ideas behind REBT. It focuses on having a tolerant attitude.

Prevention of Unhappiness

Albert Ellis once said: "I think I can honestly say that I am one of the relatively few people in the United States, and perhaps in the entire world, who has not had a seriously miserable day since I created REBT in 1955. I find it almost impossible to feel intensely depressed, hostile, or upset for more than literally a few minutes at a time. ... I derive considerable pleasure, enjoyment, and sometimes sheer bliss out of life. What more can one ask?"

"Final Wisdom"; 'What Works Best for You'

In his 2001 book, "Feeling better...", Ellis suggested that people try different tools to see what helps them most. He said, "What works best for you may be radically different than what works for other people."

Autobiographical Works

Many of Ellis's books after he created REBT included stories from his own life. He used these stories to show how REBT ideas helped him with problems like shyness, anger, and illness. He also shared stories from his therapy sessions to show how his therapy worked.

Two of his last books were about his life. Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy: It Works for Me -- It Can Work for You (2004) talks about his early life and challenges. It shows how he used philosophy and his growing therapy skills to handle problems. All Out!: An Autobiography (2009) tells the story of his life and work.

Criticism

Some people criticized Ellis for how he talked and for being aggressive. They also said he didn't always explain Freud's ideas correctly. Others, like Aaron T. Beck, did more careful testing of their therapy ideas than Ellis.

Published Works

• The Homosexual in America: A Subjective Approach (1951)
• How To Live with a Neurotic (1957)
• The Art and Science of Love (1960)
• A Guide to Successful Marriage, with Robert A. Harper (1961)
• Creative Marriage, with Robert A. Harper (1961)
• A Guide to Rational Living (1961)
• Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy (1962)
• The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Man-hunting (1963)
• Homosexuality: Its Causes and Cures (1965)
• Is Objectivism a Religion? (1968)
• Growth Through Reason: Verbatim Cases in Rational-Emotive Therapy (1971)
• Murder and Assassination, with John M. Gullo (1971)
• The Civilized Couple's Guide to Extramarital Adventures (1972)
• Executive Leadership: A Rational Approach (1972)
• Humanistic Psychotherapy (1974)
• A New Guide to Rational Living (1975)
• Anger: How to Live With and Without It (1977)
• Handbook of Rational-Emotive Therapy, with Russell Greiger & contributors (1977)
• How to Master Your Fear of Flying (1977)
• Overcoming Procrastination: Or How to Think and Act Rationally in Spite of Life's Inevitable Hassles, with William J. Knaus (1977)
• How to Live With a Neurotic (1979)
• Overcoming Resistance: Rational-Emotive Therapy With Difficult Clients (1985)
• The Art and Science of Rational Eating, with Mike Abrams and Lidia Abrams (1992)
• How to Cope with a Fatal Illness, with Mike Abrams (1994)
• Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy, Revised and Updated (1994)
• How to Keep People from Pushing Your Buttons, with Arthur Lange (1995)
• Rational Interviews, with Stephen Palmer, Windy Dryden and Robin Yapp, (Eds) (1995)
• Better, Deeper, and More Enduring Brief Therapy: The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Approach (1996)
• Stress Counselling: A Rational Emotive Behaviour Approach, with Jack Gordon, Michael Neenan and Stephen Palmer (1997)
• How to Control Your Anger Before It Controls You, with Raymond Chip Tafrate (1998)
• Optimal Aging: Get Over Getting Older, with Emmett Velten (1998)
• Rational Emotive Therapy: A Therapists Guide, with Catharine MacLaren (1998)
• How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable (1999)
• How to Control your Anxiety before it Controls you (2000)
• How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything: Yes, Anything (2000)
• Making Intimate Connections: Seven Guidelines for Great Relationships and Better Communication, with Ted Crawford (2000)
• The Secret of Overcoming Verbal Abuse: Getting Off the Emotional Roller Coaster and Regaining Control of Your Life, with Marcia Grad Powers (2000)
• Counseling and Psychotherapy With Religious Persons: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Approach, Stevan Lars Nielsen, W. Brad Johnson, and Albert Ellis (2001)
• Overcoming Destructive Beliefs, Feelings, and Behaviors: New Directions for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (2001)
• Feeling Better, Getting Better, Staying Better: Profound Self-Help Therapy For Your Emotions (2001)
• Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy With Children and Adolescents, with Jerry Wilde (2002)
• Overcoming Resistance: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Integrated Approach, 2nd ed. (2002)
• Ask Albert Ellis: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America's Best-Known Psychologist (2003)
• Dating, Mating, and Relating. How to Build a Healthy Relationship, with Robert A. Harper (2003)
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: It Works For Me—It Can Work For You (2004)
• The Road to Tolerance: The Philosophy of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (2004)
• The Myth of Self-Esteem (2005)
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: A Therapist's Guide (2nd Edition), with Catharine MacLaren (2005)
• Rational Emotive Behavioral Approaches to Childhood Disorders • Theory, Practice and Research (2nd Edition) With Michael E. Bernard (Eds.) (2006)
• Are Capitalism, Objectivism, And Libertarianism Religions? Yes!: Greenspan And Ayn Rand Debunked (2007)
• Personality Theories: Critical Perspectives, with Mike Abrams, PhD, and Lidia Abrams, PhD (2008)
• All Out! An Autobiography, with Debby Joffe-Ellis (2009)

See also