The ASPCP Joins Forces with The

Albert Ellis Foundation

We are pleased to announce an affiliation and alliance between the American Society for Philosophy, Counseling, and Psychotherapy (ASPCP) and the Albert Ellis Foundation (AEF).  We expect that this joint effort, which has been enthusiastically embraced by Albert Ellis, will open up many new and exciting avenues for Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and philosophical counseling. 

The ASPCP/AEF looks forward to the development of certification programs and workshops in REBT and philosophical counseling conducted by some of the most celebrated names in the history of rational therapy.  As an invaluable resource, the AEF maintains a team of trainers in REBT consisting of distinguished senior fellows, including three of the original trainers of the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI).  At the same time, the AEF and its joint programs will enjoy the resources of the ASPCP along with its distinguished fellows and pioneers of the philosophical counseling movement.

Since its inception in the fifties, REBT has emphasized the importance of philosophical reflection in helping people solve their emotional and behavioral problems. Likewise, since its establishment in 1992, the ASPCP has stressed the importance of creating a forum for collaborative efforts between mental health and philosophical practitioners, and has, in fact, maintained an ongoing special interest in advancing the reciprocal contributions of philosophy and REBT. Clearly, an association between the ASPCP and the AEF is a natural historical progression of these shared interests.

This joint endeavor comes at a time when the Albert Ellis Institute has ceased to be the hub of research, training, and development in REBT.  Unfortunately, and much to the chagrin of Albert Ellis, the AEI has, in recent times, departed from its mission statement of teaching and promoting REBT and its philosophy. (For a brief history of the trouble at the AEI, see the AEF website at http://www.albertellisfoundation.org/aei.html.) This is precisely why the AEF has been founded under the auspices and direction of Albert Ellis.  We intend that the AEF will become the guiding light of REBT in the Twenty First Century, and we expect that the alliance of the ASPCP and AEF will portend much for the future prosperity of rational, philosophical therapy.

The ASPCP publishes the International journal of Philosophical Practice and the AEF publishes the REBT Journal. Both journals are online and accessible to all without charge.  The latter journal also includes a section devoted exclusively to philosophy.  Jointly, the ASPCP/AEF seeks to cultivate the literature and practice of philosophical and Logic-Based variants of REBT as well as to organize proceedings at ASPCP national meetings and world conferences.

Needless to say, we are very excited about this historical alliance.  For more information, contact Sam Zinaich (ASPCP) Zinaich@calumet.purdue.edu or Bill Knaus (AEF) BillK16@cs.com.

Respectfully,

Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Co-founder and Co-Executive Director,
American Society for Philosophy, Counseling, and Psychotherapy

Bill Knaus, Ed.D.
Edward Garcia, MA
H. Jon Geis, Ph.D
Former Directors of Training, The Albert Ellis Institute