title: Introduction to special section: theoretical developments in the cognitive psychotherapies.
abstract: The cognitive psychotherapies have developed and substantially differentiated since their inception in the 1950s. Six major themes in their theoretical development are discussed: (a) the differentiation of rationalist and constructivist therapies and metatheories of knowing; (b) the acknowledgement of social, biological, and embodiment processes in therapy; (c) the recognition of unconscious processes; (d) an increasing focus on self-organizing and self-protective processes in life span personality development, with such processes being embedded in interpersonal and social system dynamics; (e) a shift toward different views of emotionality and the incorporation of experiential techniques; and (f) a synergistic involvement in the psychotherapy integration movement. The cognitive psychotherapies reflect remarkable activity, a point illustrated and elaborated in the articles that constitute this special section.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton 76203-3587.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Mahoney
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012649:Self Concept; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology