Mike Abrams (psychologist)

Mike Abrams (born July 16, 1953) is an American psychologist known for integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics. He is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology. He is the developer of Informed Cognitive Therapy (ICT), a clinical approach that combines traditional CBT techniques with insights from evolutionary science to address psychological disorders.^[1]

Abrams is also an Adjunct Full Professor in the M.A. Program in Psychology at New York University (NYU) , where he teaches courses on modern psychotherapeutic techniques, CBT, and the psychology of sexuality.^[1]

Dr. Abrams collaborated extensively with Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), co-authoring several works that expanded the theoretical framework of REBT. Together, they developed a more comprehensive model of personality that incorporated evolutionary predispositions toward irrational thinking.^[2]

Dr. Abrams played a pivotal role in advancing and formalizing Albert Ellis’ model of personality. Prior to their collaboration, the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) framework primarily focused on the ABCDE model - which emphasized the cognitive and emotional consequences of irrational beliefs.^[2]

Their expanded model posited that the human tendency toward irrational thinking, initially considered universal by Ellis, is not only innate but also evolutionarily ingrained. The Ellis–Abrams model suggested that individuals are predisposed to rigid cognitive styles, including demandingness, absolutism, and dichotomous thinking. These styles are either reinforced or mitigated over time through life experiences and inherited temperament. This enriched theoretical framework was presented in Personality Theories: Critical Perspectives - Ellis’s only college textbook, co-authored with Abrams.^[2]

In addition to their personality work, Abrams and Ellis explored the broader efficacy of psychotherapy. Abrams proposed that all effective psychotherapies - regardless of their stated theoretical orientation - ultimately operate through CBT mechanisms. He argued that the consistent outcomes seen across different therapeutic modalities stem from skilled therapists unconsciously or gradually adopting CBT/REBT techniques, regardless of their original approach.^[2]

Following Ellis’s death, Dr. Abrams continued to expand REBT and CBT through the lens of evolutionary psychology. He focused particularly on topics of sexuality, intimacy, and emotional development, culminating in the textbook Sexuality: Development, Differences, and Disorders. This work is notable as the only academic textbook on human sexuality written entirely from an evolutionary perspective.^[3] The book is among the very few books on human sexuality that takes an exclusively evolutionary perspective.^[3]

In writing the book, Abrams adopted a journalistic and integrative approach, conducting interviews with leading evolutionary psychologists such as David Buss, Douglas Kenrick, and Helen Fisher. Additionally, in collaboration with David Buss, Abrams co-authored the first peer-reviewed article to directly apply evolutionary psychology to CBT, further bridging the gap between biological science and psychotherapy.^[4]

Abrams developed a new therapeutic modality called Informed Cognitive Therapy (ICT), which integrates cognitive-behavioral principles with evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics. It is among the first psychotherapeutic modalities that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with these new scientific protocols. His book, The New CBT: Clinical Evolutionary Psychology, outlines this innovative approach.^[5]

Informed Cognitive Therapy builds on ideas that were implicit in Ellis’ original work, making them explicit and clinically actionable. Abrams argues that most psychological disorders stem from a latent, heritable factor shared across many forms of psychopathology. Drawing on genome-wide association studies (GWAS), he suggests that these disorders often arise from evolutionary mismatches, where traits that were once adaptive in ancestral environments are maladaptive in modern contexts.^[5]

Abrams contends that for therapy to be truly effective, clinicians must be literate in behavioral genetics, evolutionary psychology, and their intersections with mental health. His theoretical contributions have been recognized and supported by leading figures such as Todd Shackelford (evolutionary psychology), Robert Plomin (behavioral genetics), and Elizabeth Loftus (cognitive psychology).^[5]

In recent years, Dr. Mike Abrams along with his collaborator and wife Dr. Lidia Dengelegi Abrams have developed an intensive therapeutic model that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with Stoic philosophy, Buddhist mindfulness, and meditative cognitive techniques.^[6] This approach is being implemented at Mallory Creek Retreats, a clinical and research-focused therapeutic setting in Chemung, New York.^[6]

The program is designed as a concentrated, immersive experience, where clients engage in structured therapeutic interventions over several days.^[6] Drawing from ancient philosophical traditions and contemporary cognitive science, the methodology incorporates techniques not traditionally used in CBT. These include cognitive reframing through Stoic reasoning, mindfulness meditation rooted in Buddhist practice, and evidence-informed behavior modification strategies.^[6]

Unlike conventional psychotherapy, which is often conducted over months or years, the Mallory Creek model emphasizes accelerated psychological transformation through a highly structured, time-limited format.^[6] All clinical outcomes are systematically measured, with data used to refine and validate the approach. Early findings suggest the potential for more rapid and enduring symptom reduction, especially in cases resistant to standard outpatient therapy. This work represents a novel fusion of philosophical insight and empirical psychology, contributing to the evolving landscape of CBT by expanding its theoretical foundation and clinical techniques.^[6]

Dr. Abrams is also the managing partner of Psychology for NJ, LLC, a self-funded clinical research organization.^[1]

Dr. Mike Abrams is an active researcher and author who has made numerous contributions to clinical and evolutionary psychology.^[7] Renowned for his contributions to both research and practice, he has authored or co-authored six books, including three textbooks that span multiple domains of psychology. In addition to his work on CBT, Dr. Abrams’ research has contributed to the understanding of the impact of childhood abuse on sexual development and the influence of the internet on evolving sexual norms.^[7]

In addition to his long-term collaboration with Ellis, Abrams also worked with Aaron Beck, a pioneer of CBT, and has more recently partnered with David Buss to explore the application of CBT to evolutionary models of jealousy and aggression.^[8]

Abrams is also an editor of several clinical journals including acting as contributor to About.com and is on the editorial board of Counseling and Psychotherapy Transcripts and several other journals.^[1]

In 2025, Dr. Abrams was appointed Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Behavioral Sciences (MDPI) titled The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Sexual Development, alongside Dr. Kira Abrams.^[9] The issue focuses on the long-term impact of early trauma, including sexual, violent, or psychological abuse, on adult sexual functioning.^[9] It highlights demographic and gender-specific variations in trauma response and aims to advance nuanced approaches to psychosexual resilience and healing.^[9] This editorial work reflects Abrams’s broader commitment to integrating academic research with clinical insight, particularly in areas where psychological science can inform more effective and empathetic care.^[9]

Abrams has practiced psychotherapy in both New York and New Jersey, and has received formal commendations from the Governor of New Jersey, the Hudson County Executive, and the Mayor of Jersey City for his dedication to pro bono work.^[10] He worked with people suffering from life-threatening illnesses and was the first non-gay psychologist to volunteer to counsel people with AIDS at the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York.^[10] This work led to a book co-authored with Ellis on Death and Dying. In it, he and Ellis rejected the stage theory of Kubler-Ross and replaced it with a constructivist model of the psychology of confronting mortality.^[10]

Dr. Mike Abrams’s approach centers on unconditional acceptance, nonjudgmental support, and a commitment to helping clients build healthier futures rather than dwelling on past experiences. ^[11] He has extensive experience treating mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety, relationship difficulties, and sexual victimization or abuse.^[11]

Abrams’s inclusive, sex-positive, and trauma-informed approach is applied to a wide variety of conditions, including borderline personality disorder, chronic illness-related distress, and life transitions.^[11] He is known for his compassionate stance, complete avoidance of moral judgment, and dedication to working with diverse populations, including the LGBTQ+ community and survivors of sexual abuse or trauma.^[11]

Dr. Mike Abrams holds multiple advanced academic and professional credentials in the fields of psychology and business. He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, where he also completed an M.Phil. in Psychology. Prior to this, he received an M.A. in Psychology from Brooklyn College, CUNY.^[1]

Following his doctoral studies, Abrams pursued post-doctoral training at the Albert Ellis Institute, where he completed a two-year program focused on the clinical applications of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). He also attended Columbia University for additional postdoctoral coursework.^[1]

Before beginning his career in psychology, Abrams earned an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University's Stern School of Business, along with a post-MBA certificate in statistics from Baruch College, CUNY.^[1]

Early in his career, he worked in financial institutions such as Citicorp, Merrill Lynch, and the New York Stock Exchange, and provided consulting services to a range of organizations. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Abrams has contributed extensively to psychology education.^[1] He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology at several institutions, including:

• New York University (Stern School of Business)
• William Paterson University
• Montclair State University
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• New Jersey City University
• Brooklyn College, CUNY
• St. Peter’s University

• Abrams, M., & Dinić, A. (2026). From Rome to now: The unprecedented evolution of modern sexuality. Sexes, in press.
• Abrams, M., Chronos, R., & Milisavljević, M. (2023). Client preferences for psychotherapist qualities and psychotherapy modality: A North American survey. ResearchGate.
• Abrams, L. D., & Abrams, M. (2022). Men’s sexual coercion of an unfaithful partner. In T. DeLecce & T. K. Shackelford (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of infidelity. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Abrams, M. (2022). The mate switching hypothesis for infidelity. In T. DeLecce & T. K. Shackelford (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of infidelity. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Abrams, M., Milosavljević, M., & Chronos, R. (2022). Childhood abuse and sadomasochism: New insights. Sexologies, in press.
• Abrams, M., Milisavljević, M., & Šoškić, A. (2019). Childhood abuse: Differential gender effects on mental health and sexuality. Sexologies: European Journal of Sexology and Sexual Health, 28(4), e89–e96.
• Abrams, M. (2018). RE/CBT for sexual disorders. In W. Dryden & M. E. Bernard (Eds.), REBT best-practice applications. London, England: Springer.
• Buss, D. M., & Abrams, M. (2017). Jealousy, infidelity, and the difficulty of diagnosing pathology: A CBT approach to coping with sexual betrayal and the green-eyed monster. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 35(2), 150–172.
• Abrams, M. (2014). A sexual irrational belief is associated with several measures of sexual and emotional problems and reports of life trauma. Erdélyi Pszichológiai Szemle, 15(2), 127–156.
• Abrams, M., & Stephan, S. (2012). Sexual abuse and masochism. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, 12, 231–239.
• Abrams, M. (2012). Helping couples deal with intimacy and sexuality. In A. Vernon (Ed.), Cognitive and rational-emotive behavior therapy with couples. New York, NY: Springer.
• Abrams-Dengelegi, L., & Abrams, M. (2009). The role of a community mental health center in a New Jersey public school system. Revista de Psihologie Școlară, 4, 65–72.
• McMahon, J., & Abrams, M. (2009). Author motivation: An interview examining personality theory. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, 9, 107–117.
• Abrams, M., & Abrams-Dengelegi, L. (1997). The paradox of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapy. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 15, 133–156.
• Abrams, M., & Ellis, A. (1996). Rational emotive behavior therapy in the treatment of stress. In S. Palmer & W. Dryden (Eds.), Stress management and counselling: Theory, practice, research and methodology. London, England: Cassell.
• Abrams, M., & Ellis, A. (1994). Rational emotive behaviour therapy in the treatment of stress. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 22, 39–50.
• Abrams, M. (1991). The Eating Disorder Inventory as a predictor of compliance in a behavioral weight-loss program. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 355–360.
• Abrams, M., & Reber, A. (1988). Implicit learning: Robustness in the face of psychiatric disorders. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 17, 425–439.
• Sclafani, A., & Abrams, M. (1986). Rats show only a weak preference for the artificial sweetener aspartame. Physiology & Behavior, 37, 253–256.

• Abrams, M. & Milisavljević, M. (2025) Sexuality: An evolutionary perspective. San Diego, CA: Cognella Press.
• Abrams, M. (2020). The new CBT: Evolutionary clinical psychology. San Diego, CA: Cognella Press.
• Abrams, M. (2016). Sexuality: Development, differences, and disorders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Ellis, A. & Abrams, M. (2008). Theories of personality: A critical perspective. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Ellis, A. & Abrams, M. (1994). How to cope with a fatal illness: The rational management of death and dying. New Jersey: Barricade Books.
• Ellis, A., Abrams, M. & Dengelegi, L. (1992). The art and science of rational eating. New Jersey: Barricade Books.