Adlerian Therapy

Alfred Adler Born in Vienna middle class Jewish family 2 nd of six children-profound influence Felt in shadow of his older brother Suffered from child rickets, pneumonia Very close to his father-no oedipal need After World War I – deep-seated concern for others and need to associate with them Major contributions include life assessments, birth order

Adler’s Individual Psychology Based on the unique motivations of individuals Importance of each person’s perceived niche in society Importance of goal directness of human nature – teleological aspect Concern with social conditions-need to take preventive measures to avoid disturbances in personality Positive view of human nature

Complexes Inferiority Complex: normal feelings of incompetence and exaggerates them-impossible to to achieve goals- hopeless. This helps us desire to move forward and accomplish goals Superiority Complex: very high opinion of self-bragging and quick to argue personal solutions to problems are right one-convince others of being valuable to them and to self

Human Behavior is motivated by… Perfection striving: people who are not neurotically bound to an inferiority complex spend their lives trying to meet their fictional goals. –Living the “as if” philosophy –Elimination of their perceived flaws –Gives motivation and focus Social Interest and Community Feeling –Occupational tasks-career-self-worth –Societal task-creating friendships-networks –Love tasks-life partner

Most Important Contribution by Adler Social Interest and Community Feeling: individuals awareness of being a part of a community and attitude towards dealing with the social world –Occupational tasks-career-self-worth –Societal task-creating friendships- networks –Love tasks-life partner

Adler’s Birth Order Role of Birth Order-motivates later behavior –First-born: favored, only, pseudo-parent-high achievers –Second-born: rivalry & competition –Middle child: “squeezed out”; peacemaker; victimized –Last-born: more pampered, “baby”-creative, rebellious, revolutionary, avant-garde –Only child: similar characteristics of oldest child; selfish; relates better to adults than peers; requires attention at all times

What’s your Birth order???

Therapists Role Collaborative relationship with mutually agreed upon goals Cheerleader- encourages client to uncover faulty assumptions and highlight mistaken goals; highlights strengths and assets of client Information is gathered through family constellation, early recollections, and life assessment

Unhealthy Behavior is due to… Client’s inability to see faulty goals and/or assumptions Client is discouraged and does not feel valued in society, or is not being a productive member of society Client is seen as non-pathological and is not viewed from clinical or diagnostic viewpoint

Stages of Therapy Stages of Therapy 1. Establishing the relationship –Rapport building through empathic listening, validation. 2. Exploring the Client’s Dynamics –Subjective interview: client’s story –Objective interview: understanding problems 3. Encouraging Self-Understanding and Insight –Disclosure and interpretation 4. Reorientation –Putting insight into practice