Nathaniel
Branden

  

Psychotherapist and philosopher Nathaniel Branden, Ph.D. is a lecturer, practicing psychotherapist, and author of twenty books on the psychology of self-esteem, romantic love, and the life and thought of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand.  His work has been translated into 18 languages and has sold over 4 million copies, and includes such titles as Taking Responsibility, The Six Pillars of Self Esteem, and My Years with Ayn Rand.

The name Nathaniel Branden has become synonymous with the psychology of self-esteem, a field he began pioneering over thirty years ago.  In that time, he has done more than any other theorist to advocate the importance of self-esteem to human well-being, a mission which began with his involvement in Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand's "Inner Circle."
  

  

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Stressing the practice of living purposefully as essential to fully realized
self-esteem is not equivalent to measuring an individual’s worth by his
or her external achievements.  We admire achievements—in ourselves
and others—and it is natural and appropriate for us to do so.  But that is
not the same thing as saying that our achievements are the measure
or grounds of our self-esteem.  The root of our self-esteem is not
our achievements but those internally generated practices that,
among other things, make it possible for us to achieve.

Nathaniel Branden