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An overview of Adlerian Psychotherapy, founded by Alfred Adler and championed by Rudolf Dreikurs. Discover Adler's background, the nature of maladjustment, Adlerian therapy focus, and the phenomenological approach. Learn about social interest, birth order, and Adlerian therapy techniques.
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Adlerian Theory
History of Adlerian Theory
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
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
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
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