The first theory I have choose to write about is on Cognitive-Behavior. One of the key developers is Albert Ellis who was born in Pittsburg in 1913 he started out practicing classical analytic psychotherapy which he thought was to long and didn’t work very well so he combined humanistic, Philosophical, and behavior therapy. Ellis came up with Rational –emotive behavioral therapy and is known as the grandfather of Cognitive-Behavior therapy (Corey 295).

Two other theorists associated with the theory are Aaron Beck and Donald Meishenbaum.

Beck who experienced fears and anxiety in his life decided to use his past to help him develop his theory. Beck who claims he successfully used cognitive therapy to treat depression, anxiety, alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, marital and relationship problems as well as personality disorders (Corey 296).

Cognitive-behaviorist study the thoughts processes that lead up to behavior and help to point out the “dysfunctional attitudes” and “irrational beliefs” that lead to bad behavior or situations that may cause discomfort. Beck was convinced that mood disturbances were the result of bad thinking about the

Finally in closing of my paper I will be comparing and contrasting the theories I have chosen. First I will start out with comparing them, all three theories, cognitive behavior, reality, and gestalt all deal with being in the here and now, meaning they focus on what is going on in the client’s life at the time.

One of the tasks of the therapist is to help the client break through the walls that keep the client from being aware and letting nature take its course so the person can work towards his full potential (fagen 108).

He was rejected by other analysts because he challenged some of the basic principles of the psychoanalytic theory. Pearls developed his basis of gestalt in 1934 in South Africa where he was the county’s first teaching analyst. It is said that Pearls had cult like followers.

Gestalt therapy is known for its emphasis on techniques the therapist likes to stay in the present in the room now or what is the most important event the client is dealing with at the time. If the client is having some problems with issues of their past in can be talked about. Gestalt therapy all exist in the now. Also the patients must be attentive to their own body language, posture, facial expressions, words they use and what is going on around them. Here are some of the many gestalt practices:

Some of the therapist’s roles are to help the client recognize their irrational beliefs and teach them to change their way of thinking and get rid of their irrational ideas and explain the cycle they cause. Next the therapist helps them develop a positive attitude gain some self esteem which in the long run should in turn change their outlook on life. The therapist also uses many cognitive, emotive, and behavioral methods to help clients work on their feelings to help act against their instabilities (Corey 303).

Some topics in this essay:
Seventh Dream, William Glasser, Activating Experience, Gestalt Pearls, South Africa, Reality CBT, George Kelly, Meishenbaum Beck, Glasser Happiness, Meichenbaum Donald’s, reality therapy, cognitive behavior, help client, gestalt therapy, change behavior, own behavior, help clients, theories alike, layer called, unfinished business, reality cognitive behavior, desire help people, cognitive behavior therapy, procedures reality therapy, people responsible own,