Adlerian Theory

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Adler called his approach:

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Individual psychology

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Adlerian theory became the basis for:

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the humanistic theories of today

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The main goal of Adlerian therapy is:

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Confronting basic mistakes and assumptions the client has made and attempting to redirect them. Also:
1) Establishing a therapeutic relationship
2) Examining style of life
3) Developing client insight
4) Changing behavior

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The focus of Adlerian therapy is on:

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examining the beliefs of the client as expressed by his or her behavior

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Key concepts of Adlerian therapy

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1) Childhood experiences themselves are not as crucial as the attitude toward those experiences
2) All people have unique lifestyles, none of which are the same
3) One's lifestyle is set by age 5 and is a reaction to perceived inferiority
4) One's lifestyle is learned from early family interactions
5) Behavior is motivated by social needs and has a goal-oriented direction

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Contributions of Adlerian Theory

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1) The theory was a major impetus for the development of other humanistic theories
2) The theory has influenced cognitive-behavioral theories, family therapies, and general mental health work.
Currently, it is having an impact on emerging theories of culturally competent counseling.

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Limitations of Adlerian Theory

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1) An inability to validate the vaguely defined concepts with empirical data
2) The oversimplification of complex human functioning
3) It is based too heavily on a common sense perspective.

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Asking "The Question"

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The counselor asks the client how life would be different if the client was "well." Parents are often asked "What would be the problem if this child was not the problem?"

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Confrontation

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The counselor challenges the client's private logic and inconsistent behavior

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Family Constellations

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"Pictures" of family dynamics and relationships

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Fictional Finalism

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The ideal image one sees oneself becoming; one's ultimate goal

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Holism

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The perception of one's personality as a whole

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Immediacy

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Dealing with the present moment in the counseling process

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Individual Psychology

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The uniqueness and unity of the individual

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Individuality

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The way everyone develops his or her own style of striving for competence

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Inferiority Feelings

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The negative feeling one has about oneself; thse feelings can be both real and imagined

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Life Tasks

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The life work of all humans to attain a satisfying lifestyle

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Paradoxical Intention

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The technique characterized by helping the client invoke exaggerated debilitating thoughts and behaviors and accept and conquer his or her resistance, thus becoming more aware of his or her behavior and accepting responsibility for the consequences of that behavior

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Phenomenological Orientation

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The technique the therapist uses that attempts to view the world from the client's point of view

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Private Logic

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The central psychological framework of the client; the philosophy upon which one bases one's lifestyle, including basic mistakes and faulty assumptions that often do not conform to reality

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Social Interest

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The attitude a client has regarding society; a sense of empathy and identification with the larger community

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Striving for Superiority

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The desire to become competent and perfect; also known as the growth force

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Individual Psychology (Alfred Adler)

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1) People are mainly motivated toward a feeling of belonging
2) People strive to become successful and to overcome personal areas that they perceive as inferior (striving for perfection)
3) Those who do not overcome feelings of inferiority develop an inferiority complex
4) Overcompensating for feelings of inferiority can lead to a superiority complex
5) The primary social environment for children is the family constellation
6) An Adlerian therapist examines with the client his or her "life-style" and aims to change behaviors within the client's existing life-style rather than changing the life-style
7) The Adlerian counselor encouarages the client to behave "as if" the client were who the client wished to be, and often provides the client with "homework" assignments outside the sessions.

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Birth Order Implications (Adler)

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Oldest Child - usually are high achievers, "parent pleasers," conforming, and well behavied
Second born - usually outgoing, less anxious, and less constrained by rules than first borns. Usually excel at what the first born does not.
Middle children - Often have a feeling of being squeezed in and are concerned with perceived unfair treatment
Youngest children - Adept at pleasing or entertaining the family and run the risk of being spoiled. Also adept at getting what they want.
Only children - (or children born 7 or more years apart) Often take on the characteristics of their parents' birth order because parents are their only role models.

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Alfred Adler

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Focused on social urges. Concerned with birth order's effect on human development. Suggested that "feelings of inferiority developed from a sense of physical and/or psychological weakness for which the individual tries to compensate. Believed in the importance of early recollections as a key to understanding a person's style of life.

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negative feelings about oneself

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inferiority feelings

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phenonmenological

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looking at it from the CL's point of view

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Life Task

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social, love, occupational

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Therapeutic Relationship

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mutual respect, CO educates CL, CO challenges errors in thinking

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4 phases technique

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est. relationship, explore individuals private logic, encourage, reorient and reeducate