History of personal construct therapy

R. A. Neimeyer, U of Memphis (neimeyerra@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU)
Sat, 16 Sep 1995 16:25:22 -0600

I am currently finishing a chapter on the history of personal construct
therapy, and it occurred to me that many of you might have some insights
that might be incorporated in the chapter. What do you consider the more
important post-Kellian developments in PCT as an approach to psychotherapy?
Who would you regard as the major contributors to the practice of PC
therapy (as distinct from repertory grid research, per se), and for what
specific contributions? Have there been major conceptual or technical
advances in PC therapy since Kelly, and if so, along what lines? Do any
particular anecdotes or elements of personal history come to mind that
illustrate the extension of a personal construct therapy model? What are
the major issues faced by PC therapy at the present day?

Of course, I have my own thoughts on all of these (and have already filled
30 pages), but I wanted to check my impressions against those of others
involved in this history before sending it off to the editor. While I have
tried to be data-based (e.g., tracking relevant publications since the late
1930s, along the lines of my earlier sociohistorical studies of the theor
group in general), I am very aware that any history is saturated with our
personal perspectives and interpretations--as it should be. I'd just like
to invite some data-based or interpretive input from any of you who would
care to offer it. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, and use your own
discretion as to whether to direct your replies to me directly or forward
them to the mailbase.

Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-4680
FAX (901) 678-2579
neimeyerra@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU

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