Adlerian Therapy

By: Stephanie, Alice, Matt, and Farah

Review of Adlerian Therapy

• Vienna Psychoanalytic Society• Social Interest • The Phenomenological Approach• Inferiority and Superiority Complex• Birth Order

Goals of Adlerian Therapy

• Increase client’s social interest • Make a change in client’s lifestyle• Change self-defeating thoughts or behaviors• Increase self understanding• Encourage the client to see equality among all

people

The Therapeutic Relationship

• Respect and trust• Goal alignment, collaborative approach• Encouragement and empathy• Understanding of the client’s lifestyle

Conrad’s Pathology

• Loss of his brother/survival guilt• Unsatisfying relationships with others• Loss of appetite and interest in activities• Nightmares, poor sleep• Loss of sense of control

Phase One: Establishing a Relationship

• Not focusing on client’s past problems but on a goal that has been discussed earlier.

• Building awareness of client’s strengths• Establish supportive, collaborative process

Phase Two: Exploring Individual’s Psychological Dynamics

• Lifestyle Assesment– Family Constellation– Early Recollections– Basic Mistakes

Phase Three: Encouraging Self-Understanding/Insight

• Interpret the discoveries of the session• Hidden goals and purposes make apparent• Therapist offers interpretations to help client

gain their own insight

Phase Four: Reorientation and Reeducation

• Puts insights into actions• Reorientation: shifting rules of interaction,

process and motivation• Reeducation: teach, guide, provide

information, and encourage struggling clients.• Useful vs. Unhelpful