Donald J. Robertson
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Donald John Robertson is a Scottish-born cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and author, known for his work in integrating modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)[1] with Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, particularly Stoicism.[2] He has written on Stoicism's relevance to modern therapeutic practices, and his books have contributed to Stoic philosophy in contemporary psychology.[3] He is the author of Stoicism and the Art of Happiness and The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy.[4] His writing on Stoicism and Contemporary Psychology has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, BBC and The Times.[5]
Biography
[edit]He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland,[6] and later moved to England, where he worked in London for many years before emigrating to Canada, where he now resides in Quebec.[4] After obtaining a degree in philosophy from Aberdeen University, he completed a masters in philosophy and psychotherapy at the Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies in Sheffield University, before training in several modalities of counselling and psychotherapy.[7] He holds experience in the treatment of anxiety disorders and the use of evidence-based psychological skills, with a specific focus on CBT.[8]
Career
[edit]After studying at the University of Sheffield, he advanced his training in psychotherapy and counseling, initially working as a school counselor for a youth drug project in South London.[1] He then established a private clinic on Harley Street, London, focusing on anxiety disorders, and ran a training school for psychotherapists.[2] Throughout this period, Robertson authored articles and presented on topics like Stoicism in psychotherapy, with a 2005 publication titled Stoic Philosophy as Psychotherapy in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy journal.[4]
Between 2006 and 2010, he contributed to a government-led Coping with Noise research project, where he developed online CBT protocols for managing stress and insomnia, with findings published in peer-reviewed journals.[4] In 2010, Robertson’s book The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy was published, becoming a key work in Stoicism and CBT.[9]
Continuing his training, Robertson earned a diploma from King’s College London and published Build Your Resilience (2012) and Stoicism and the Art of Happiness (2013) through Hodder & Stoughton.[10]
He is one of the founding members of the Modern Stoicism nonprofit organization, and the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre, a nonprofit organization based in Greece.[11]
Work and themes
[edit]Robertson is the author of books, including The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and How to Think Like a Roman Emperor.[12] His works explore how Stoic concepts and practices can be applied to modern psychological challenges, particularly in relation to the development of emotional resilience.[13] His book combining elements of biography, philosophy, and modern psychology, based on the life of the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius.[14]
Selected bibliography
[edit]- How to Think Like Socrates: Ancient Philosophy as a Way of Life in the Modern World (1st ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. 2024. p. 368. ISBN 978-1-250-28050-3.
- How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius (1st ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. 2019. p. 304. ISBN 978-1-250-19662-0.
- Stoicism and the Art of Happiness: A Teach Yourself Guide (1st ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 2014. ISBN 978-1444187106.
- The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Routledge. 2019. p. 252. ISBN 978-0367219147.
- Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. St. Martin's Press. 2022. p. 272. ISBN 978-1250270955.
- Robertson, Donald J. (2024). Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor (Ancient Lives). Yale University Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-0300256666.
- Marcus, Aurelius; Robertson (Introduction), Donald (2020). Meditations: the ancient classic. Capstone classics. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-85708-846-8.
- "The Stoic influence on modern psychotherapy". The Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition. 2016. p. 15. doi:10.4324/9781315771588-31. ISBN 9781315771588.
- Robertson, Donald J. (2018-05-08). The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis (1 ed.). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780429482793. ISBN 978-0-429-48279-3.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Fielder, David (17 April 2021). "Donald Robertson on the Four Main Reasons Modern People Are Attracted to Stoicism as a Philosophy of Life". STOIC INSIGHTS.
- ^ a b Maxedon, Tom. "Word S11.7 — Stoicism with Donald Robertson, Chicano Frankenstein with Daniel Olivas, and good reads". KJZZ.
- ^ Athikakis, Mark. "Stoicism is more popular than ever..." The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c d "Stoicism and the Art of Happiness: An Interview with Donald Robertson". Daily Stoic. 3 January 2017.
- ^ Robertson, Donald J. (2024-03-06). "Donald J. Robertson". Time. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Donald Robertson Stoicism and the Art of Happiness". Stoicism and the Art of Happiness. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Donald Robertson". Paths to Flourishing. 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Marcus Aurelius and How to Cope with Anxiety". Yale University Press. 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Owen, John M. (2011). "The philosophy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): Stoic philosophy as rational and cognitive psychotherapy, by Donald Robertson". European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling. 13 (3): 291–294. doi:10.1080/13642537.2011.596726. ISSN 1364-2537.
- ^ "Announcing Marcus Aurelius Anniversary Event". Plato's Academy Centre. 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "071. Donald Robertson: On Stoicism and Outrage". Remake Podcast | Design, Systems, and Society. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Sheffield, Carrie. "Want An Unconquerable Mind? Try Stoic Philosophy". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Word S11.7 — Stoicism with Donald Robertson, Chicano Frankenstein with Daniel Olivas, and good reads". KJZZ. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ A. O. L. Staff (2024-03-05). "Why We Still Read Marcus Aurelius' Meditations". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2024-11-13.