Individual
Adlerian Psychotherapy

About Adlerian Psychotherapy:

I completed my Master's degree in Applied Adlerian Psychotherapy in Leadership and a Post Master's Certificate in counseling at Adler Graduate School.  Adlerian Psychotherapy offer's a strength based approach to resolving key life conflicts through examining style of life, core values, and childhood experiences.  This approach is ideal for those who prefer traditional talk therapy and is affirming and social justice oriented. 

 

Overview of Key Features of Adlerian Psychotherapy:

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Individual Adlerian psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach based on the theories of Alfred Adler, an early 20th-century psychiatrist who emphasized the importance of social connectedness, personal goals, and a sense of belonging. This form of therapy is holistic, goal-oriented, and focuses on understanding the individual's unique lifestyle and beliefs.

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1. Holistic View of the Person:
   Adlerians see people as integrated wholes rather than a collection of symptoms. The therapy explores social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions of the person.

2. Focus on Lifestyle and Early Memories:
   The therapist helps the client uncover their "lifestyle"—the core beliefs and strategies developed early in life that shape how they interpret and respond to the world. Early recollections are explored as they often reflect key life themes and perceptions.

3. Goal-Oriented and Encouraging:
   Adlerian therapy is future-focused and encourages clients to recognize and change mistaken beliefs and self-defeating behaviors. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to develop new, more adaptive goals and behaviors.

4. Social Interest and Belonging:
   Adler emphasized the need for people to feel a sense of belonging and to contribute to society. Therapy often addresses feelings of inferiority and discouragement, aiming to foster a sense of connectedness and purpose.

5. Four Phases of Therapy:

   • Establishing the Relationship: Building trust and a collaborative alliance.

   • Assessing Lifestyle: Exploring the client’s family dynamics, early memories, and private logic.

   • Insight: Helping the client gain awareness of how their lifestyle affects current behavior.

   • Reorientation/Reeducation: Encouraging change through new behaviors, thoughts, and social engagement.

6. Encouragement as a Central Technique:
   Therapists use encouragement to help clients build confidence and motivation for change, rather than relying on confrontation or interpretation alone.

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