Home > Encyclopedia of Psychology > Aaron T. Beck

1921-
American neurologist and father of cognitive therapy.

A pragmatic approach to therapy

Aaron T. Beck was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 18, 1921, the third son of Russian Jewish immigrants. His father was a printer by trade who seriously abided by his socialist ideals. His rather overbearing mother was known for her extreme mood swings. Beck had two siblings who died before he was born. Beck's childhood typified middle-class America, complete with his involvement in Boy Scouts and athletics.

From this mediocrity rose one of America's ground-breaking psychotherapists. Beck developed what is known as cognitive therapy, which is used for cases...