Ellis, Albert (1913-2007)

Albert Ellis (1913-2007) is best known as the originator of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and a developer of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A survey of psychologists from the United States and Canada conducted in 1982 rated the most influential psychotherapists. The results ranked Albert Ellis second only to Carl Rogers, with Sigmund Freud being ranked […]

Rice Diet

The Rice Diet was started in 1939 by Dr. Walter Kempner in Durham, North Carolina. It specializes in weight loss now but was originally designed for the purpose of heart disease treatment and control. In addition to achieving world-wide success and notoriety for taking weight off the most resistant of cases, the Rice Diet is […]

Nutri/System

Nutri/System, as a weight loss program, has the advantage of pre-packaged meals that are controlled for calories, sodium, fats, and trans-fats. The company was started in 1971 by a grocer’s son named Harold Katz, who had the ingenious idea of combining behavioral counseling, medical supervision, and low-calorie meals into one program. In addition, Katz decided […]

Weight Watchers

The central component of the Weight Watchers diet is a point system wherein thousands of foods are given a point value, based on number of calories, as well as fiber and fat content. Other program components are the weekly weigh-in for members, weekly meetings with motivational talks, and supplementary materials, such as booklets with special […]

Set Point Theory

The theory of Set Point espouses that every person’s body weight and fat percentage is set by an internal control system unique to the individual. Set Point Theory was developed by William Bennett and Joel Gurin in 1982 to explain why dieting in not successful in the long term. Bennett and Gurin co-authored a book […]

Pritikin Diet

The Pritikin Diet emphasizes unprocessed or lightly processed foods. It focuses on what are called “nature foods” such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, starchy vegetables, seafood, and lean meat. This plan is more than a diet, as it also recommends aerobic exercise and weight training several times a week. The Pritikin Diet was designed by […]

Scarsdale Diet

This weight loss diet was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Herman Tarnower whose practice was in Scarsdale, New York. Low in carbohydrates, higher in protein, and with moderate fat, the Scarsdale Diet is low calorie, i.e., 1,000 calories a day. Drinking at least four glasses of water daily is recommended while exercise is not […]

Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet supports the theory that carbohydrates represent the culprit in weight gain. Carbohydrates and fat are burned by the body for energy, with the former being burned first. Dr. Atkins espoused that, by increasing protein consumption while limiting carbohydrates, the body will more efficiently burn fat, resulting in weight loss. This carbohydrate restriction […]

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist, and Marie Almon, a dietitian. Originally meant to lower the risk for heart disease, it became popular as a way to lose weight. This diet plan basically recommends replacing carbohydrates and fats that are considered “bad” with good ones. It consists of three […]

Dyslexia

Description   Dyslexia is a language-based learning disorder that falls under the category of Developmental Disorders (if one’s perspective is psychological) or a learning disability (if ones’ perspective is educational). Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties on the part of the individual with specific language skills: chiefly reading, but it can also involve spelling, pronunciation, and […]