The history of a formal approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy in Poland is very short, but cannot be presented without a brief description of the historical context for the advancement of psychotherapy in our country. The earliest Polish publications pertaining to the importance of psychological variables in medical treatments date back to the XVIII century. It has yet to be established in what ways the evolution of psychiatry and psychotherapy were affected by the Partitions of Poland. These left the South-East quadrant of the country under the influence of Habsburg Austria at the turn of the XX century, which is when Freud’s theories emerged and soon came to dominate the scene.

The first textbook titled "Psychotherapy" by Tadeusz Bilikiewicz was published in 1938. After the Second World War, the political situation in Poland influenced chances for traveling and exchanging information, as well as psychotherapy. Political infiltration of scientists and intellectuals resulted in some approaches in science and clinical practice being treated as more "politically correct" than others.  It should seem logical, however, that behaviorism associated with the name of the famous Russian Nobel Prize laureate Ivan Pavlov was recognized as conforming to the official ideology, whereas psychoanalysis was perceived as embedded in the Western tradition. Since 1951, when Professor S. Leder established the Neurosis Clinic at the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, techniques based on behavioral and social learning theories have been gradually included in the complex treatments of neurotic disorders.

Polish people have a long tradition of defying or evading official regulations. Therefore, the growth and popularity of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapies can be perceived as a result of historical heritage of the Partitions, as well as an outcome of the Polish preference for discourses that allow expression of individual opinions. Fast progress of psychodynamic therapies as compared to quite small influence of behavioral and later cognitive-behavioral approaches may be seen as a paradoxical outcome of the Communist times in Poland.

For political and economic reasons, opportunities to travel were limited. Scholarships and funds to study abroad were available only to a narrow group of researchers from main scientific centers. Knowledge of advances in Western-European and North American psychotherapy could only be gained during short visits abroad, workshops, or through available publications. Information brought back home was then often creatively used in existing treatment programs.

Late 1970s mark the beginnings of interest in cognitive therapy. Alongside translations of papers presenting behavioral approaches, single publications of A. Ellis and A.T. Beck appeared. Attempts to apply their ideas were made independently in several therapy centers in Poland. Again, they were mostly based on interpretations of available literature. At that time, however, increasing freedom of travel allowed, alas still only the lucky few, to participate in training courses abroad. Also, famous international therapists were visiting Poland more often.

Independent of each other, various clinics in Poland started implementing cognitive therapy for treating depression (see works by A. Potoczek, D. Dudek, A. Zieba from the Department of Psychiatry at Jagiellonian University in Krakow and Ewa Habrat from the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw) and child and adolescent disorders (e.g., A. Brynska and T. Wolanczyk from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Warsaw).

Similar experiences as described above were shared by members of a team formed by the late professor Z. Bizon (1931-1998) at the II Department of Psychiatry of the Medical University in Warsaw. For years, Professor Bizon had been interested in philosophical and psychopathological aspects of delusions and delusional disorders. A research program conducted by departmental staff was focused on cognitive psychotherapeutic methods of modifying delusional beliefs. Clinical seminars were dedicated to advancing knowledge of cognitive psychotherapy. Most often, these seminars involved participants discussing available publications or sharing knowledge acquired at outside workshops and therapy courses. This group of enthusiasts later introduced the standards of applying cognitive therapy methods to clinical practice. Lack of systematic training in cognitive and behavioral therapies was still an issue, however.