Category Archives: Philosophy

Articles about philosophy and philosophical approaches to psychological therapy.

Excerpt about James Stockdale from The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This article contains a brief excerpt about James Stockdale from the forthcoming book by Donald Robertson, The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy (Karnac). Continue reading

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Excerpt: The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This article contains a brief excerpt from the introduction to the new book by Donald Robertson, The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy (Karnac). Continue reading

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New Book: The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy by Donald Robertson

The new book The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy by Donald Robertson Continue reading

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Philosophical Premeditation & Cognitive Therapy

This article briefly reviews certain parallels between classical philosophical literature and modern cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, specifically in relation to the use of “philosophical premeditation” and modern exposure therapies. Continue reading

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The Original Philosophy of Hypnotherapy (from The Discovery of Hypnosis)

James Braid, the founder of hypnotherapy, drew upon the dominant school of philosophical psychology in his day, called Scottish “Common Sense” realism, in formulating his theory of hypnotism and opposing it to Mesmerism. This article is an excerpt from the book The Discovery of Hypnotism: The Complete Writings of James Braid, the Father of Hypnotherapy. Continue reading

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Marcus Aurelius on Anger, Empathy & Stoicism

This excerpt from the Meditations of the Stoic Emperor Marcus Aurelius shows how he employed cognitive strategies in his personal therapeutic journal to cope with anger and frustration. Continue reading

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Spinoza Philosophical Psychotherapy

This article explores the relationship between Spinoza’s rationalist philosophy and the cognitive-behavioural approach to modern psychotherapy. Continue reading

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Philosophy and Psychotherapy: Video Interview on Stoicism

This is an excerpt from a longer interview in which Julian Evans asks Donald Robertson about the relationship between Stoicism and evidence-based psychotherapy, and the forthcoming book, Philosophy & CBT. Continue reading

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Rabbie Burns: The Scots Poet as Philosopher

My translation into standard English of a poem by Robert Burns. This contains allusions to Stoic or Epicurean precepts on the “art of living” in just about every line… Contented With Little Contented with little and joyous with more, Whenever … Continue reading

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