Albert Ellis

During one of my meetings with friends, a friend asked the group "If you are to spend one whole year with only one person, who would it be?"

I answered Albert Ellis, of course, because I'd like to pick on his mind and talk cognitive-behavioral therapy stuff. My philosophy of counseling (and of life) is founded on his theories - the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). I consider myself as a cognitive-behavioral counselor.

The first time I encountered his REBT theory in 3rd-4th year college, I fell in love with it and used it in my daily musings and interaction with life. It has helped me overcome difficult and painful experiences and I attribute to it the perspectives I have for life and for people. I am more interested and hooked with his theory than the sexually-natured theory of Freud. Even in my post-graduate study, I am still a loyal advocate of his theory.

Albert Ellis died on July 24, 2007 at the age of 93. His contributions to the field of psychology will forever be cherished and never be forgotten. It is a shame that I was only able to encounter him on books and journals. We have lost one of the most influential psychologists of all time.