Adlerian Psychodynamic Approach

Alfred Adler’s theory has an encouragement-based perspective and or approach to counseling. Through this perspective, an Adlerian therapist would take the approach by assisting clients in understanding their own emotions, thoughts, and drives, in which could be affecting their lifestyle. Given this assignment, the potential client I would counsel is “X” who is a six-year-old boy diagnosed with ADHD prior to seeking counseling. In applying Adlerian Psychology to the client I previously reflected about, the focus would be on encouragement-based therapy with four phases to counseling. To achieve the wanted treatment goals, the therapist must rely on the four phases of Adlerian techniques: engagement, assessment, insight, and reorientation.
Engagement refers to the client to counselor therapeutic relationship. As for assessment, it would involve exploring the roots of the problem or issue by discussing his personal history, family, early recollections, feelings, and behavior. Through insight, the counselor will assist in developing new ways of behaving and think about his situation through a positive outlook as well as perspective. Lastly, the reorientation of the client’s new way of thinking will encourage him to engage in positive behavior reinforcing the new …show more content…
For the long-term goals, the client wants to reduce the symptoms of ADHD as well as preventing its interference with behavior and function both at school and home. As for the short-term goals, the client hopes to eliminate or reduce the self-destructive behavior pattern by using the techniques of encouragement to become more aware of his worth. Through encouragement, the client is able to better recognize his own assets and strengths. This type of awareness empowers the client to make better choices and or decisions. In addition, the counselor will explore with the client family dynamics as well as