AP News, July 24th, 2007
Albert Ellis, founder of a renowned psychotherapy institute who is considered by many to be among the most influential figures in modern psychology, died Tuesday, the institute announced. He was 93.
The cause of death was kidney and heart failure, The New York Times reported on its Web site, citing a friend and associate, Gayle Rosellini.
Ellis developed what is known as rational emotive behavior therapy, which stresses that patients can improve their lives by taking control of self-defeating thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Many consider his work to be part of the foundation of cognitive behavior therapy.
"We all owe a great debt to Dr. Ellis," said Robert O'Connell, executive director of the Albert Ellis Institute in Manhattan.
A 1982 survey of clinical psychologists ranked Ellis as the second most influential in the field _ ahead of Sigmund Freud and behind Carl Rogers, founder of humanistic psychology.
Ellis had been involved in legal battles with the institute he founded more than four decades ago, accusing its board of improperly removing him. The board said the ouster was done out of economic necessity.
Last year, a judge ruled that the board had wrongly removed Ellis without proper notice, and reinstated him. He returned to the institute in June, O'Connell said.
Early in his career, Ellis drew criticism from some in the psychological and psychiatric establishment because of his critical views of Freud and psychoanalysis.
Ellis wrote or co-wrote more than 60 books including "A Guide to Successful Marriage," "How to Live With a Neurotic" and "A New Guide to Rational Living."
