Adlerian Psychological Counseling Theory: A Case Study

Adlerian psychological counseling theory is grounded in the idea that life is holistic: that thinking, feeling, behaving, and physiological functioning are an integrated system that works toward an individual’s life goals (Murdock, 2013, pp.11). Alder believed that there was a contrast between what he termed private logic (a persons own idiosyncratic interpretations due to immaturity) and common sense (that which would be seen as normal reasoning). He also believed that an individuals life patterns - our thinking, feeling, behaving and physiological functioning – which develop out of a persons earliest experiences, and creates an individuals private logic, are set by the age of 5 (Murdock, 2013, pp.118). In the short video clips viewed, …show more content…
(2) What kind of a world is this? (3) What must a person such as I am do in a world such as this is, in order to make a place for myself? Gina’s individual's behavior (thought, feeling, and action) is consistent with her private logic. The way in which Gina remembers events that have happened in her past stand out as important because they give clues as to how she interprets the world around her. Gina remembers that her mom did not have the support of her father in the pursuit of education or a career and in turn, despite the fact that she had her own husband’s support in pursuing education and a career, she often sees herself as alone in her pursuits. In dealing with the problems of life, Gina believes that it’s up to her to figure things out on her own because there is no one else looking out for her. This inward private logic makes it difficult for her to be able to appreciate anyone else or the contributions another person may make, because she is not accustom to having anyone helping her or contributing to her life. Her thinking and behavior leads to the idea that it is safer for her to be a selfish person “right now,” and she believes that it is up to her alone to work towards removing those things that are unfortunate in her life in order to make sure that things are better for her and for her children. One can hear her self-determination in the responses she gives to Dr. Carlson: that it is up to her to make sure her boys are healthy, happy and able to make decisions on their own. It is also evident in the way that she looks at current and future relationships and her recognizing her need to be in control and also in her attempting to release that control. Her responses to what motivates her – her happiness – also demonstrates this selfish protective attitude and shows the