Donald Meichenbaum

Donald Meichenbaum (born June 10, 1940 in New York City , NY ) is an American psychotherapist . He is considered one of the founders of cognitive behavioral therapy .

If one wants to change the behavior of clients with therapeutic intent, then, according to Meichenbaum, one has to change psychic mediation processes, especially 'inner speaking', which often accompanies inappropriate behavior. Largely irrational self-talk (e.g., 'I'll never be able to do that') the client should consciously register and learn to change in order to better deal with life problems such as stress, fears, etc. with the help of a controlled 'inner dialogue'. a. To finish. Appropriate "coping sentences" such as: "You can do the task." Lead to appropriate coping with the situation and appropriate emotions (see also: Stress vaccination training ). Like Aaron T. Beck , another representative of cognitive behavior therapy, Meichenbaum was primarily committed to university research as a scientist.

biography

Meichenbaum attended Taft High School in New York City from 1954 to 1958 and then from 1958 to 1962 the City College of New York . From 1962 to 1966 he studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana . 1966 to 1969 he was Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Waterloo in Ontario , 1970 to 1973 Associate Professor of Psychology and from 1974 to 1998 Meichenbaum Professor of Psychology in Waterloo. In 1996 he became director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment in Miami , Florida .

He was named one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the century by North American therapists in a 1999 survey by the American Psychologist . He is considered one of the most cited psychological researchers at Canadian universities. Meichenbaum is a professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo, but continues to work as a clinical psychologist .

Works (selection)

• 2003: Intervention in case of stress. Application and effect of stress vaccination training. Translated and provided with an additional chapter for the 2nd edition by Lothar Schattenburg. Bern: Huber.
• 1995: A Clinical Handbook / Practical Therapist Manual for Assessing and Treating Adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• 1985: stress inoculation training.
• 1983: Pain and Behavioral Medicine, and Facilitating Treatment Adherence.
• 1977: Cognitive Behavior Modification: An Integrative Approach.

literature

• Beate Wilken: Methods of cognitive restructuring. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 1998.

Web links

• Meichenbaum's page at the University of Miami
• Great Canadian Psychology Website - Donald Meichenbaum Biography