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Basics of Theory
Alfred Adler sought to understand the impact that mental and physical processes had on a persons social and occupational life. While he initially joined forces with Freud as a founding father of psychotherapy, he eventually distanced himself from Freud due to disagreement about the attribution of development to sexual impulses as Freud believed. Adler's approach, referred to as individual therapy, is a strengths based, person center therapy model. This model is driven by the thought that people are not victims of biology, but rather can change their goals and behaviors.
Key Concepts
Social Interest: Central to Adler's theory is that humans have a basic need to be accepted by others.
Inferiority & Superiority: Striving for superiority, the drive that allows individuals to become a master of their own life, is another key concept in Adlerian Theory. Inferiority serves as a basis for striving for superiority and Adler thought it was developed in infancy.
Lifestyle: Adler described lifestyle as encompassing 4 'ingredients'.
A persons subjective worldview
Personal gials
Behavioral strategies employed by an individual to achieve goals
Outcomes or consequences of behavior
Lifestyle is considered a key concept because it is the summation of a persons aspiration that drives them to accomplish their goals.
There is a formal lifestyle assessment that is used in Adlerian Therapy
Family Constellation & Birth Order influence an individuals later personality and their future relationship patterns.
Oldest: intelligent, high achieving, dependable, leaders, well behaved
Second: more caring, friendly, and expressive. Often feel pressured to 'catch up' to older siblings and are likely to engage in activities their older sibling does not.
Middle: Friendly, creative, and well-adjusted. Often times have difficulty finding their place between the older and younger siblings.
Youngest: Easygoing, sociable, and empathetic. Are most likely to be spoiled and also feel inferior.
Only: Mature early, seek high levels of achievement and mature early
Therapeutic Process
Phase 1: Establishing a Relationship
Focus on the person first, then the problem
Heavy focus on encouragment
Phase 2: Assess Client Psychological Dynamics
Lifestyle Assessment: Semi-structure interview that takes places over 3 sessions. The three most important parts are assessing birth order, dreams, and collecting the client's earliest recollections.
Phase 3: Encourage Insight & Self-Understanding
Use Adlerian Techniques to support change in the clients lifestyle, attitudes, and awareness.
Phase 4: Put Insight into Practice
Reorientation: client's change their lifestyle by altering the way they interaction and the behaviors they engage in.
Goals of the Therapeutic Process
Increase client sense of belonging
Focus on behaviors that contribute to social interest
Replace feelings of inferiroiry with those of courage and confidence
Modify goals to alter lifestyle
Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures
Pushing the Button: This technique involves the client imagining a pleasant and unpleasant experience and observe the emotions attached to them. The goal is that. client would recognize they have the control to decide what button (pleasant or unpleasant) to push
Acting 'as if': To promote motivation and confidence, a therapist will prompt the client to think about behaviors they need to engage in to reach success. The goal is for clients to act 'as if they are already achieving that goal.
Confrontation: Though a foundational counseling skill, Adler emphasized the importantce of pointing out discrepancies that the client describes. The goal is for the client to become aware o the contradiction they are making.
The Question is used to get clients thinking about solutions to their issue.
One technique I would like to try is using "The Question." With the same intention as the miracle question in solution focused therapy, this technique gets clients to start imaginging how they might solve the issue they are facing. It can reveal motivation, goals, and obstacles that the client faces and haven't already identified. Thought Adlerian Therapy techniques don't resonate with me, this particular one is interesting as it allows clients to step out of expectations and barriers that might otherwise impede their thinking.
Role of the Counselor:
Counselors should not label or diagnosis clients, but aim to understand their private logic; the rationale we use to justify the behaviors we use to achieve our goals and our overall lifestyle. A counselor understanding a client's private logic can help them understand where limiting beliefs exist.
Adler was ahead of Carl Rogers in the emphasis placed on the therapeutic relationship. Counselors should demonstrate empathy, develop shared goals and mutual trust, and uphold an egalitarian relationship.
Application of Theory
Application of Theory
Adlerian Therapy is used in a variety of settings including individual, couples, and group sessions. Most of the common issues that are seen in the counseling room are amendable to Adlerian techniques and concepts. Adlerian concepts are highly applicable in group settings because of the ability to foster social interest.
Limitations of this theory
There is a lack of empirical research on Adlerian concepts
Some key concepts including superiority, risk oversimplication and are subject to being considered by common sense.
The theory is rooted in psychosocial aspects, but doesn't give any credibility to genetic or biological factors.
Strengths of this theory
Adlerian concepts have contributed to the development of more contemporary theories including person-centered, Gestalt, and existential therapy.
Application to multicultural clients
Adler first applied his theory to individuals with disabilities because of the presence of inferiority that is likely present in this community. According to him, discrimination can be attributed to misguided efforts of seeking superirority and therefore his concepts can be applied widely.
While collectivist communities might resonate with the ideas of social interest, Adlerian Therapy is highly focused on individualism and striving for personal success. Additionally, family dynamics in diverse communities vary vastly from western, American family dynamics. This could lead to misinterpreations given how child rearing or familiar relationships differ from Adlers conceptualization of them.
One key aspect of applying Adlerian Theory is the lifestyle assessment. The socratic method of question and answer might pose a barrier with diverse individuals for both the process and the content.
The idea of superiority is very western based and might not resonate with those who take a greater focus on living with balance or finding harmony in nature.
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