Analysis of Albert Ellis's Life Experiences and Psychological Philosophies

Analysis of Albert Ellis 's Life Experiences and Psychological Philosophies Life, Education, and Experiences Famed American psychologist Albert Ellis (1913-2007) was born in Pittsburgh and raised in New York City (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). Albert reportedly had a somewhat troubled childhood, but overcame his troubles by becoming a "stubborn and pronounced problem solver" (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). As a young child Albert became afflicted with a serious kidney disorder (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). At the age of 12 his parents divorced (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). These two life-altering events were, in part, what led him to begin focusing his mind on understanding people (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). In junior high Albert Ellis dreamed of becoming a great novelist (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997) but by the time he reached college age, he decided it might be more practical to become an accountant instead. However, he planned to retire by the age of 30 so that he could then take up writing at his own leisure (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). Due in part to the Great Depression, his goals changed but he did go on to graduate college in 1934 with a degree in business (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). After graduation he and his brother became entrepreneurs and started their own business. They sold pants purchased from the garment district (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). In 1938 a gift and novelty firm employed him as their personal manager (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). Albert Ellis spent his free time writing short stories, plays, novels, and nonfiction books, but, much to his disappointment, was never able to get them published. (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997) Thereafter, he began working on what he called "sex-family revolution” (DiGiuseppe 1989, Ellis 1992, , Sheehy 1997). Albert wrote a

References: Bernard, M. E. (1986). Staying rational in an irrational world: Albert Ellis and rational emotive therapy. Melbourne, Australia: MecCulloch-Macmillan. DiGiuseppe, R. (1992). A practitioners guide to rational-emotive therapy 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford Univ Pr,1992 2nd Edition. DiGiuseppe, R., , Bernard, M. E.(1989). Inside rational-emotive therapy, a critical appraisal of the theory and therapy of Albert Ellis. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, Inc. Ellis, A. (2004). Rational emotive behavior therapy: It Works for Me - It Can Work for You. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books. Ellis, A. (1997). Using rational emotive therapy techniques to cope with disability. Professional Psychology : Research and Practice, 28(l), 17 -22. Ellis, A. (1992). My early experiences in developing the practice of psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 28(1), 7 -10. Sheehy, N., Chapman, A., , Conroy, W. (2002). Albert Ellis in Biographical dictionary of psychology (vol. 1 pp. 163-165) New York: Routledge.