Aaron Beck was an American psychiatrist, widely recognized as the father of cognitive therapy. He developed this therapeutic approach in the 1960s, focusing on how negative thought patterns can influence emotions and behaviors. His work laid the foundation for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is now a common treatment for various mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Beck also created the Beck Depression Inventory, a widely used questionnaire that helps assess the severity of depression in individuals. Throughout his career, he published numerous books and research articles, contributing significantly to the understanding of mental health and the development of effective treatment methods.