ABSTRACT
The evolution of the author's thinking about psychological therapy into what he now term cognitive appraisal therapy began in the late 1950s with his earliest study of clinical psychology. A seminar in psychotherapy was introduced to the curriculum during his final year of courses. This was considered a very innovative and even daring move, for clinical psychology itself at that time emphasised diagnostic testing and intellectual evaluation. Ellis pioneered the assumption that cognition, affect and behaviour interact and are interdependent. Ellis Albert's conduct of group therapy did not correspond to his own descriptions of his work. He claimed to use a variety of cognitive, emotive and behavioural methods. Having served as Editor of Rational Living since early 1974, author became well-aequainted with the Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) literature. He later expanded the notion of Personal Rules of Living in ways described below and they continue to be an integral part of Cognitive Appraisal Therapy.
