Adlerian Psychotherapy: Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology and Therapeutic Approach, Slides of Psychology

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Adlerian Psychotherapy

Prioritizing relationships

Adlerian Theory

History of Adlerian Theory

n Inspired by Freudian psychoanalysis.

n Founded by Alfred Adler, championed in

America by Rudolf Dreikurs.

n Dissemination throughout American

elementary schools during the guidance

movement by Don Dinkmeyer.

Nature of maladjustment

n A person has a mistaken opinion of himself or herself and of the world.

n A person engages in abnormal behavior to protect his or her opinion of self (e.g., when threatened with failure and insecurity) n Inferiority complex: The individual is overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy, hopelessness n Superiority Complex: very high opinion of self, quick to argue personal solutions to problems are right n Family constellation: Mediates the genetic and constitutional factors brought by the child and the cultural factors that influence the child. n Safeguarding: Symptoms are developed for the purpose of safeguarding the fictional goal.

n The person becomes self-centered rather than other-centered

n The individual is unconscious of these events

Adlerian Therapy Focus

n Importance of the feelings of self (ego) that

arise form interactions & conflicts

n Sense of self(ego) central core of personality

n Start from Psychoanalysis

n Emphasis on motivation & social interaction

The Phenomenological Approach

n Adlerians attempt to view the world from the

client’s subjective frame of reference n Reality is less important than how the individual perceives and believes life to be n It is not the childhood experiences that are crucial ~ It is our present interpretation of these events

n Unconscious instincts and our past do not

determine our behavior n It is not genes n It is not environment n It is not genes and environment n It is how we choose to respond to our genes and environment

Social Interest

n Adler’s most significant and distinctive concept

n Refers to an individual’s attitude toward and awareness of being a part of the human community

n Mental health is measured by the degree to which we successfully share with others and are concerned with their welfare

n Happiness and success are largely related to social connectedness

Encouragement

n Encouragement is the most powerful method

available for changing a person’s beliefs n Helps build self-confidence and stimulates courage n Discouragement is the basic condition that prevents people from functioning n Clients are encouraged to recognize that they have the power to choose and to act differently

Other Adler Concepts

n Organ Inferiority: everyone is born with

some physical weakness-motivate life choices

n Aggression Drive: reaction to perceived

helplessness or inferiority-lashing out against the inability to achieve or master

How an Adlerian does Therapy

n Comprehensive Assessment using:

n Family Constellation-questionnaire-social world assessment

n Early Reflections-single incidents from childhood

n Lifestyle Assessment-develop targets for therapy by identifying major successes and mistakes in the client’s life

n “The Question” -- If I had a magic wand that would eliminate your symptom immediately, what would be different in your life?”

What Clients do in Therapy

n Explore private logic-concepts about self,

others, & life – philosophy lifestyle is based

n Discover purposes purposes of behavior or

symptoms and basic mistakes associated with their coping

n Learning how to correct faulty assumptions &

conclusions

1. Establishing Relationship

n Therapist get to know the client as a person

n Therapy is collaborative

n Goals established together prior to start n Awareness of goal discrepancies during n Scripts (“Have you ever seen a patient like me before?”) n Games (“My previous therapist said the opposite…”) n Realignment of goals, when necessary

n Supportive, caring human connection

n Faith n Hope n Love

2. Exploring Individual’s Dynamics

n Subjective interview n Client tells own story as expert on own life n Therapist listens for clues to client’s coping and approach to life n The Question:

n Objective interview ~ Life Style Assessment n Family constellation n Early Recollections n Personality Priorities n Integration and Summary

4. Helping with Reorientation &

Reeducation

n Encouragement process – “to build courage” personal growth is encouraged and reinforced

n Change and search for new possibilities

n Making a difference-through change in behavior, attitude or perception

Advantages of Adlerian Theory

n It can be used for numerous issues and disorders.

n Uses encouragement.

n It is phenomenological.

n It does not consider people to be predisposed to

anything.

n Applicable to diverse populations and presenting issues