Friends and colleagues share their wishes for Dr. Aaron T. Beck's 100th birthday!

1. Dr. Aaron
T. Beck
turns 100!

2. “Usually, a centennial celebration is reserved for an
institution, but Dr. Aaron T. Beck is an institution unto
himself. The man, his work, and his broad and deep
positive influence have brought benefits to the world that
are incalculable. Happy 100th birthday, Tim. Here's to a
century of goodness and greatness!”
Cory F. Newman, PhD

3. “Tim Beck has helped more people than anyone in the history of psychiatry and psychology.
His CBT took the mumbo jumbo out of psychotherapy and instead distilled its essence of
common sense, curiosity, courage, collaboration, benevolence, and human relatedness…
Tim, we salute you; we admire you; and we thank you. You are also one of the most lovable
men I have ever met.
Best on celebrating your century, Al”
Allen Frances, MD

4. “Dear Tim,
Many happy birthdays as you reach 100, from one of your oldest students, Dean Schuyler. You were
my guiding light for many years!”
Dean Schuyler, MD
“Dear Dr. Beck, Happy birthday to the most amazing and inspiring person in my life! You have made
such an enormous impact on the thinking of us all. Thank you! And enjoy the celebrations! Warmly,
Allison”
Allison Harvey, PhD

5. “Happy birthday Dr. Beck! I am so grateful
for all you have done and are doing. You
have helped so many people through your
pioneering work. ”
Yutako Ono, MD

6. “Under the leadership of Dr. Beck, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has become a well-established empirical
psychological intervention for multiple psychiatric disorders adopted in Greater China…I am always inspired with
respect and admiration by the live demonstrations given by Dr. Beck during these workshops. The vivid images of the
master skills shown by Dr. Beck have always come up in my mind and serve as my driving force to disseminate CBT
to novice therapists and psychiatric communities in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and other parts of the world. I
would like to thank Dr Beck on behalf of my patients and students in Hong Kong who have benefited immensely from
CBT. May I take this opportunity to wish Dr Beck a very happy birthday of 100 years old.”
Roger MK Ng, PhD
“To Tim. I have fond memories of the time I have shared with you as an neighbor on LBI, on the tennis court, and a
lunch partner at the Rittenhouse. Warm on your birthday to a Great Man. ”
Alan Wechsler

7. “Happy Birthday, Dr Beck! Thank you for many things: your modelling of the right way of doing things;
the books that always inspire when i go back to them; the personal encouragement and support over
many years that has been so important to me; the support you provide to so many others, including
the up-and-coming new researchers and therapists; and, most of all, your clear concern for patients
that translates into such helpful therapies. It has been such a highlight to have time with you and I look
forward to the even greater wisdom you will have after another birthday! Celebrate well! With all best
wishes, Dan”
Daniel Freeman, PhD

8. My favorite quotes from our time together were these:
While waiting for a table at a restaurant one evening,
you turned to me and said: "They must be doing
cognitive therapy here." I asked, "What makes you say
that?" You responded, "It's running so effectively."
And then there was the time I asked whether you
expected cognitive therapy to eventually dominate the
field of psychotherapy. You responded, "I hope good
therapy eventually dominates the field of
psychotherapy. Just good therapy."
Bruce Liese, PhD

9. “Cent'Anni, Tim.
I have wished countless people this in toasts and at family gatherings, but I have never seen it come
true. My guess is that the powers that be knew that you had so much to give that they stood by and
said "him...he's the one we need around to help out..." and so here we are.
I have treated scores of patients who have had happier, healthier lives and families because of your
work. I have been a happier and healthier person because of your work. You have changed the world.
I hope that this birthday brings you joy and that you feel the appreciation and love from all of us who
have been so fortunate to know you.
Happy Birthday. Donna”
Donna M. Sudak, MD

10. "Dr. Beck’s contributions and impact are too wide, too broad, too deep, and too significant to do justice
with a special issue. Instead, his birthday gives us time to reflect and to look ahead." I ended it with
the following: 'The future of CBT is bright and clear. CBT has made and will continue to make this
world a better place by relieving suffering and improving mental health. Thank you, Dr. Beck. Happy
100th birthday, Tim!
Warmest wishes,
Stefan”
Stefan Hofmann, PhD

11. “Paraphrasing Albert Einstein, Tim has been teaching all
of us, as he is the father of Cognitive and Behavioral
Therapy, that the mind is like a parachute as it works best
when opened. If not, its huge potential and possibilities
will be lost. But instead of building up new variants of
CBT, pretending to have a holy grail, we will be stronger if
we unite our various perspectives. In a way to better
understand, heal mental disorders and solve human
problems in all of their complexity, together in
cooperation, opening minds in a preventive fashion. We
all have a responsibility to open the parachute before it is
too late and to abandon the illusion of finding the Holy
Grail alone. Alone we go faster. Together we go further.”
Mauro Galluccio, PhD

12. "Life calls certain people to take on extraordinary tasks: to invent something that was not there, to open new pathways into
the world or within disciplines, to free up what is outdated, or to tap into the very consciousness of those who come to them.
Aaron Beck is such a person: an inventor, a pioneer, an explorer. To the determination of those who experiment, he adds the
grace of those who awaken the secrets of awareness itself: he is a teacher, an inspiration, a guide.
Through his teachings and close affinity, all of us who have followed him – including myself, professionally linking my name
to his – have created a long chain ramifying infinitely through the hearts of colleagues and patients who work with and
benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy.
When I think of Aaron Beck, I think of this: the love that impels us to seek paths untraveled, to plant seeds, and to leave
behind a vibrant legacy.
Genius cannot be cultivated without the intuition born of love. And this love is returned to you today, with the full gratitude of
those who have been illuminated and guided by it.
Best regards,
Roberta”
Roberta Borzi

13. Dr. Beck,
You are a blessing to millions of people
living with mental ill

14. “My favorite memory is inviting you to make a presentation at what was then known as the Association for
advancement of behavior therapy when I was program chair in 1973. "Behaviorists" were very suspicious of
cognitive influences in those days, but I was aware of your really creative work. You graciously agreed to
come and brought 20 handouts. Over 200 people showed up filling all of the standing space in the room
and bleeding out the doors into the hall. From then on it became clear we were all doing cognitive behavior
therapy!”
David Barlow, PhD
“As I move ahead into my senior years, your model of continued productivity is a beacon of hope. So I want
to thank you, not only for all of the thoughtful things you did to foster my career, but the example you set for
successful aging. And I want to thank you on behalf of the legions of patients who have been and will be
helped by cognitive therapy. I have seen it transform the lives of many of my patients, and I believe that
cognitive therapy will have staying power through the ages.
You have all of my best wishes for a happy and meaningful birthday.”
Warm regards,
Jesse H. Wright, MD, PhD

15. “There are many more adventures I could recount from the years you and Christine
presented workshops together, but I will mention only one that was a highlight for all of
us. It was 1988. You had just published, Love is Never Enough, and we had organized
two big workshops to launch the book. At the Los Angeles workshop, as you and
Christine were reviewing your presentation strategy for the opening day, we all
stepped outside our hotel room onto a balcony overlooking the front of the hotel.
Above our heads there was a huge neon marquee (like they had at movie theatres
back in the day) and in big black and red letters on the marquee board was "LOVE IS
NEVER ENOUGH - Beck and Padesky." What a great display for a man who loves
movies. You squealed with delight.
Tim, the love I have felt from you is more than enough and the LOVE I send you is
infinite. May you enjoy and bask in the stories from those who know and love you.
Happy Birthday.
All my love,
Kathy”
Kathleen A. Mooney, PhD

16. “What a pleasure to have this opportunity to offer my deepest congratulations and best wishes to Tim
as he celebrates his 100th birthday. It is customary to recognize the centenarians in our society
because of their extraordinary longevity. But in the case of Aaron T. Beck, reaching 100 plays a
relatively minor role in our celebration. Rather it is the extraordinary life of Tim Beck that causes us to
pause and take note of his truly inspiring life as physician, researcher, teacher, author, mentor, and
friend… It has been truly amazing working with you. And it’s wonderful to know that our work together
is not yet done.”
David A. Clark, MD
“Dear Tim, my best wishes to your 100th birthday. You had great influence on my professional life. I
still remember, and hope you remember too, meeting you in 1979 during a workshop at the Center for
Cognitive Therapy. Together with now well-known psychotherapists and researcher, we learned from
you how to treat people with depression and how to conduct treatment studies. I am very grateful
to had the chance to meet you, to learn from you and to participate in this stimulating course. I wish
you all the best!”
Martin Hautzinger, PhD

17. What an honor it is to celebrate a century of life
with you!
If we just get better with age, you must be nearly
perfect...
May your 100th birthday and beyond be filled with
everlasting joy, health, and peace.
You have lived more in one lifetime than most
people hope to do in 10. You are an outstanding
role model for us forever. Keep amazing us.
We are happy to celebrate your life and your work
- the brightness that you have brought to the
lives of others.
Irina Lazarova, MD and the Bulgarian Association
for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy

18. “Dear Tim,
VERY HAPPY 100th…
Personally, I cannot begin to express my gratitude to you not only for your impact on my career, but also your
continued commitment to making the world a better place for all my patients! More than anyone, you have
changed the face of psychotherapy practice and research. Most importantly, your leadership and generosity
have united cognitive therapists around the world and enabled them to develop healthy collaborations and to
support each other’s endeavors. This model of how to undertake academic and clinical work continues to inspire
every new generation of mental health workers around a world…
I send you all of my best wishes”
Jan Scott, MD

19. “Here I have a short story about something that stayed in my mind since then. Talking about the role of
cognitive conceptualization in the adherence to treatment and in therapeutic relationship, someone suggested that CBT
might not work for people unable to get at least a glimpse of the cognitive conceptualization. At that moment ATB said: It is
very important to have a good shared cognitive conceptualization, but if it is not possible, in the end, it is enough that I, as a
therapist, have a good one! At that moment many realized that there are no limits to CBT!
Happy Birthday!”
Daniel David, PhD
“Our meetings were always magical to us and the biggest inspiration you can imagine. Your legacy is very much alive and
kicking and we are proud to be able to pass it on to others here in the Netherlands. We are incredibly thankful for that.
Happy birthday from all of us!”
Marcus Huibers, PhD

20. “It is my privilege to be your friend, Tim. You
have always been a kind and caring person
in my life. Your humor, observational skills,
and thoughtful remembrances of what
matters always touch me deeply. It is a
testament to the quality of our friendship
that each hour we have spent together feels
like a gift. That is why I want to wrap them
all up for you on this occasion of your
100th birthday for you to enjoy once again.
Love always,
Christine Padesky, PhD"

21. “I wish you a very happy birthday! I hope you get to enjoy this special day with everyone you hold dear.
I would kindly like to offer you my sincerest gratitude for your life's work. I can confidently say that you have forever
changed how people with mental health difficulties are treated. Only a handful of people throughout history can claim
as much…
Thank you for everything you have done.”
Nikolaos Vrontaras, MSc
“Happy birthday. Hope your day is filled with happiness and you are surrounded by family and friends. I hope you are
friends. I hope you are able to relish your achievements over the past 100 years (what a milestone). Your work has
milestone). Your work has inspired so many of us to be creative and reflective in our treatments with clients. During
with clients. During my time with you, I was reminded of focusing on science, conceptualization and therapist manner,
and therapist manner, over and above technique. This has been your legacy for me. Personally, I cannot thank you
I cannot thank you enough for your mentorship and friendship over the years. Wishing you the very best on this happy
very best on this happy day.
With warm regards, Sunil”
Sunil Bhar, PhD

22. “Dear Aaron Beck, I owe everything I know to you.
CBT has helped and is helping me as a patient first and then each of my patients.
I wish you knew that every day I see the light rekindled in my patients' eyes thanks to what I have learnt and
keep learning by applying your science.
I honestly hope to meet you in person one day. Dearest happy birthday🎈 ”
Barbara Carpentieri, PhD

23. “As I move ahead into my senior years, your
model of continued productivity is a beacon
of hope. So I want to thank you, not only
for all of the thoughtful things you did to
foster my career, but the example you set
for successful aging. And I want to thank
you on behalf of the legions of patients who
have been and will be helped by cognitive
therapy. I have seen it transform the lives of
many of my patients, and I believe that
cognitive therapy will have staying power
through the ages.
You have all of my best wishes for a happy
meaningful birthday.”
Warm regards,
Jesse H. Wright, MD, PhD

24. Happy Birthday Tim,
A 100 is a big number but minute compared to the many millions of people that you have helped with your
groundbreaking work.
It has been a real honour to join you for part of the journey, along with all those other clinicians whom you have
inspired and who have benefitted from your kindness and friendship.
Warmest regards,
David M. Clark, PhD
Dear Mr. Aaron Beck,
I'd like to wish you all the best for your birthday! I feel grateful to know the "blue-chip" of CBT throughout my
studies in GACBP.
Sincerely,
Anastasiadi Georgina, PhD

25. “Happy 100th birthday, Dr. Beck !!. You continue to be
an inspiration and guiding light in my career. I still
remember your visits to the Center for Cognitive
Therapy in Newport Beach when I was a post-doc in
1987!! I regularly share the pearls of wisdom you
gave me with my students then and over time. They
are genuine gifts and i am continually grateful for all
you have given me and the profession! Enjoy the day
and the coming years!”
Fondly, Bob Friedberg, PhD

26. “Here are a few lessons of the many that you provided. They are why you remain my scientific and professional hero.
1. Be forever curious. Never assume you have the answer. Learn by asking questions
2. Challenge conventional wisdom. Just because a lot of people believe it does not make it true.
3. Get the evidence. Opinion is cheap.
4. Listen to the patient, not just the theory.
5. Consider multiple perspectives. More than one could be true.
6. Collaborate. Everyone can be a teacher.
7. Think carefully, not superficially
8. Share the spotlight.
9. As a mentor, share your humanity.
10. Invest in others’ careers”
Augustus (John) Rush, MD

27. “Happy Birthday.
Your passion, your scholarly contributions, your thoughts
and words of wisdom, your desire to help, your writing,
your science, and your generosity have meant a great
deal to those of us you've mentored. On this special day,
as you celebrate your 100th birthday, please note how
much your hard work and your original thoughts have
shaped our lives and the work we do as clinicians,
scientists, and educators to help ease human suffering.
Wishing you and your family an amazing celebration!”
Marjan Holloway, PhD

28. “It was an honor to be able to work
with him in some small way. I believe
we were last together for his 90th at
a restaurant in D.C. during APA. I
recall all of his birthday celebrations
at the Psych Corp receptions during
APA over the years. This picture was
taken in Toronto in 1996. We all
surprised him by wearing red bowties
in his honor!”
Larry Weiss, PhD