ALFRED ADLERAngelo State University

Thelma Sanchez-Lira

FOUNDER OF ADLERIAN THERAPY

HISTORY OF THEORY Adler believed that personality difficulties are rooted in a

feeling of inferiority from restrictions on the individual’s need for self-assertion.

Adler had a tendency to change his theory on personality throughout his life but he ultimately believed that people are focused on maintaining desire we have to fulfill our potentials becomes closer and closer to our ideals (Fisher, 2001)

Called his theory Individual Psychology because he felt each person was unique and no previous therapy applied to all people.

Theory includes four aspects: The development of personality Striving towards superiority Psychological health The unity of personality

MAJOR TENETS OF THEORY The one dynamic force behind people’s

behavior is the striving for success or superiority

People’s subjective perceptions shape their behavior and personality

Personality is unified and self-consistent The value of all human activity must be seen

from the viewpoint of social interest The self-consistent personality structure

develops into a person’s style of life Style of life is molded by people’s creative

power

THEORY TECHNIQUESAn Adlerian therapist assist individuals in comprehending the thoughts, drives, and productive way of life by developing new insights, skills, and behaviors (Adlerian Psychology, 2016) These are the four stages of Adlerian therapy: Establishing the relationship Exploring the psychological dynamics operating

in the client-assessment Encouraging development of self-

understanding-insight into purpose Helping client make new choices-

re-orientation & re-education

ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIP A trusting therapeutic relationship is

built between the therapist and the person in therapy and they agree to work together to effectively address the problem

ASSESSMENT The therapist invites the client to speak

about his of her personal history, family history, early recollections, beliefs, feelings, and motives.

Helps reveal the person’s overall lifestyle patterns, and factors that the client may not pay much regard to

INSIGHT The client is helped to develop new

ways of thinking about his or her situation

REORIENTATION The therapist encourages the client to

engage in satisfying and effective actions that reinforce the new insight

THEORY APPLICATIONS Application to Education Application to Parent Education Application to Couples Counseling Application to Family Counseling Application to Group Counseling

APPLICATION TO EDUCATION

Adler was an advocate for training both teachers and parents in effective practices that foster the child’s social interests and result in a sense of competence and self-worth (Corey, 2009).

By providing teachers with ways to prevent and correct basic mistakes of children, he sought out to promote social interest and mental health

APPLICATION TO PARENT EDUCATION

Parent education seeks to improve the relationship between parent and child by promoting greater understanding and acceptance (Corey, 2009)

Alderian parent education stresses listening to children, helping children accept the consequences of their behavior, applying emotional coaching, holding family meetings, and using encouragement (Corey, 2009)

APPLICATION TO COUPLES COUNSELING

Adlerian therapy with couples is designed to assess a couple’s beliefs and behaviors while educating them in more effective ways of meeting their relationship goals (Corey, 2009)

APPLICATION TO FAMILY COUNSELING

With its emphasis on the family constellation, holism, and the freedom of the therapist to improvise, Adler’s approach contributed to the foundation of the family therapy perspective (Corey, 2009).

Adlerian family therapy strives to understand the goals, beliefs, and behaviors of each family member.

APPLICATION TO GROUP COUNSELING

Adlerian group counseling is based on the premise that our problems are mainly of a social nature.

The group provides the social context in which members can develop a sense of belonging, social connectedness, and community (Corey, 2009).

REFERENCESAdlerian Psychology (2016). The four stages of

adlerian therapy. Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/adlerian-psychologyCorey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education.Fisher, M. (2001). Alfred adler. Psychology history. Retrieved from http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/adler.html