Paradigm Clashes and Progress: A Personal Reflection on a 50-Year Association With ABCT

•Paradigm clashes have characterized the 50-year history of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.•The founding of the Association was based on a paradigm clash with psychoanalytic theory in the 1960s.•Major paradigm clashes have included classical versus operant learning principles, cognitive versus behavioral interventions, and "third wave" approaches.•A firm focus on the process of science facilitated productive advances from these paradigm clashes, and ultimately, the extraordinary success of the Association.

Why is ABCT a successful, vibrant, and growing association when most other professional associations are withering on the vine? Since the first annual meeting of the organization, which I was privileged to attend, I have witnessed repeated changes in direction as new paradigms were introduced and debated. The clashing of ideas in these debates in our Association over the years centered on such things as classical versus operant learning principles, cognitive versus behavioral modes of intervention, the introduction of a focus on modifying affect and emotion, and “third wave” approaches. Indeed the very founding of the organization was based on a fundamental paradigm clash with the prevailing psychoanalytic approaches in the 1960s. The fact that through it all the organization continues to thrive reflects the secret to our success and our fundamental strength, a reliance on the slow but inexorable process of science.