Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTechniquesStagesUsesBenefitsEffectivenessThings to ConsiderGetting Started
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Techniques
Stages
Uses
Benefits
Effectiveness
Things to Consider
Getting Started
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Adlerian theory is aholistic approachto psychology that emphasizes the importance of overcoming feelings of inferiority and gaining a sense of belonging in order to achieve success andhappiness.
This theory also focuses on the importance of social interactions and community involvement in order to promote individual growth.
This approach to therapy is based on the theories ofAlfred Adler, an Austrian psychiatrist and one-time colleague of the psychoanalystSigmund Freud. While once part of Freud’s psychoanalytic circle, Adler eventually parted from Freud to establish his own theory of psychology, which he referred to as individual psychology.
His approach emphasized each individual’s need for connection, belonging, and striving to overcome feelings of inferiority.
This article discusses how Adlerian theory works, how it is used, and its benefits. It also covers some of the things you should consider if you want to try this type of therapy.
Techniques of Adlerian Theory
Adlerian therapy is positive,humanistic, andintegrative, focusing on the individual person and the different supports that they need in their life. This type of therapy can be adapted for the specific needs of the individual.
People who are experiencing issues work with a therapist to gain insights into their problems and behaviors. Once they have developed a deeper understanding of themselves, people can then work on learning new skills and behaviors that will help them overcome these problems.
One of the key concepts of Adlerian theory is that human behavior is goal-oriented, and it emphasizes techniques that promote growth andresilience. Some techniques that are used in this type of therapy include:
Adlerian theory suggests that people are always trying to satisfy certain desires and reach specific goals. How those goals are reached can vary greatly from person to person depending on their personalities and environments.
RecapTherapists who utilize Adlerian therapy use a variety of techniques to learn more about how people typically behave in order to help them gain insight. Analyzing these behaviors can help people understand patterns that might be holding them back and seek out newer, more effective solutions.
Recap
Therapists who utilize Adlerian therapy use a variety of techniques to learn more about how people typically behave in order to help them gain insight. Analyzing these behaviors can help people understand patterns that might be holding them back and seek out newer, more effective solutions.
Stages of Adlerian Therapy
Adlerian theory is often used incounseling and psychotherapy. Using this approach, therapists help people develop a better understanding of their wants, needs, and motivations. An important goal of this process is to overcome any feelings of inferiority in order to achieve a more fulfilling life. The process takes place over four stages: engagement, assessment, insight, and reorientation.
Engagement
This stage focuses on establishing atherapeutic alliancebetween the therapist and the individual in therapy. A therapeutic alliance is a cooperative, collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client. This involves the ability to get along, communicate, share, and work together.
Research suggests that this therapeutic alliance is one of the most important factors affecting the outcome of psychotherapy. An American Psychological Association (APA) task force concluded that the therapeutic alliance mattered more than the type of therapy itself.
Assessment
At this stage, the therapist works to learn more about the individual in therapy. This includes taking a history, learning about past experiences, and usingpsychological assessments. This often includes exploring early memories, talking about family dynamics, and looking at how the individual thinks about these events.
To learn more about the client’s goals, Adlerian therapists may administer assessments as a way of determining what goals a person is trying to achieve and how they would normally go about reaching them.
Insight
This stage focuses on helping the individual learn more about their situation and gain insight into their own behavior. A therapist might offer interpretations of events and suggest that certain patterns may exist. While a therapist might make observations, it is essential for the person in treatment to gain a sense of personal insight into their own beliefs and behaviors.
Reorientation
Now that the individual has acquired new insights, the therapist works with them to develop new habits, behaviors, and skills that will support their growth going forward. This process may involve strategies such asreframing old experienceswhile also developing new patterns.
RecapAdlerian therapy occurs in four stages that focus on forming a therapeutic relationship, gathering information, gaining insight, and developing new skills.
Adlerian therapy occurs in four stages that focus on forming a therapeutic relationship, gathering information, gaining insight, and developing new skills.
What Adlerian Theory Can Help With
Research suggests that Adlerian therapy can be helpful for treating a number of mental health conditions. Some of the problems this type of therapy may be used to treat include:
Applying Adlerian theory to therapy can also be helpful for people who are struggling with problems related tolow self-esteem,loneliness, ornegative thinking. By affirming the individual and rebuilding social relationships, people are able to gain confidence and empowerment that allows them to pursue their goals and make healthy choices.
Benefits of Adlerian Theory
People often find treatments based on Adlerian theory helpful because it emphasizes the importance of community involvement and social interactions in order to promote individual growth.
Because it is a holistic approach that takes both the inner and outer world of the client into account, people are able to gain a greater awareness of different aspects of themselves as well as a greater understanding of how they fit in within their social world.
Another benefit of the Adlerian approach is that it avoids pathologizing people. Instead, it emphasizes how people can experience difficulties and discouragement during life, which then contributes to psychological problems.
RecapBy addressing the feelings of inferiority that play a role in social disconnection, Adlerian therapy helps people regain their sense of self, adjust better to changes, and find the social support they need to thrive.
By addressing the feelings of inferiority that play a role in social disconnection, Adlerian therapy helps people regain their sense of self, adjust better to changes, and find the social support they need to thrive.
Effectiveness of Adlerian Theory
Recent studies have also supported Adler’s belief in the importance of the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic alliance has been shown to affect treatment outcomes across a range of conditions, therapeutic modalities, and contexts.
One study found that an Adlerian group counseling intervention was helpful for improving feelings of authenticity among university students.
Research also suggests that there is neurobiological support for some of Adler’s key ideas.For example, one study found thateudemonia, or happiness rooted in meaningfulness, is linked to decreased inflammation in the body and healthier genetic expression.
In other words, a greater sense of social connectedness rooted in caring for others, connecting with the community, andfinding a sense of purposeis linked to improved mental health and well-being.
Things to Consider With Adlerian Theory
While the Adlerian approach can be helpful for many people, that doesn’t mean that it is the best choice for everyone. Because Adlerian theory focuses on how early memories shape current problems, it involves exploring and confronting memories that can sometimes be painful or upsetting. This can be difficult for some people, so it is important to consider whether you are ready and willing to do a deep dive into your past.
It is also important to remember that being open to change is essential for success. In order to overcome problems, you have to be willing to critically assess how your current behaviors are playing a role in keeping you from reaching your goals. Just identifying them isn’t enough, however. You have to be ready to actively work to change those behavior patterns.
How to Get Started With Adlerian Theory
Spend some time talking to a therapist before you decide if it is the right fit for you. Remember that Adlerian theory suggests that the therapeutic alliance is critical for success, so make sure that you feel comfortable and safe working with your therapist.
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9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McCluskey MC.Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality.Clin Soc Work J. 2021;1-13. doi:10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0Carlson J, Englar-Carlson M.Introduction. In:Adlerian Psychotherapy. American Psychological Association; 2017:3-9. doi:10.1037/0000014-001Belangee S.Individual psychology: relevant techniques for today’s counselor.Counseling Today.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Fassino S, Amianto F, Ferrero A.Brief Adlerian psychodynamic psychotherapy: theoretical issues and process indicators.Panminerva Med. 2008;50(2):165-75.Stubbe DE.The therapeutic alliance: the fundamental element of psychotherapy.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(4):402-403. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20180022Ergüner-Tekinalp B.The effectiveness of Adlerian-based encouragement group counseling with college students in turkey.The Journal of Individual Psychology. 2017;73(1):54-69. doi:10.1353/jip.2017.0004Miller R, Dillman Taylor D.Does Adlerian theory stand the test of time? : examining individual psychology from a neuroscience perspective.The Journal of Humanistic Counseling. 2016;55(2):111-128. doi:10.1002/johc.12028Fredrickson BL, Grewen KM, Coffey KA, Algoe SB, Firestine AM, Arevalo JM, Ma J, Cole SW.A functional genomic perspective on human well-being.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(33):13684-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.1305419110
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McCluskey MC.Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality.Clin Soc Work J. 2021;1-13. doi:10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0Carlson J, Englar-Carlson M.Introduction. In:Adlerian Psychotherapy. American Psychological Association; 2017:3-9. doi:10.1037/0000014-001Belangee S.Individual psychology: relevant techniques for today’s counselor.Counseling Today.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Fassino S, Amianto F, Ferrero A.Brief Adlerian psychodynamic psychotherapy: theoretical issues and process indicators.Panminerva Med. 2008;50(2):165-75.Stubbe DE.The therapeutic alliance: the fundamental element of psychotherapy.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(4):402-403. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20180022Ergüner-Tekinalp B.The effectiveness of Adlerian-based encouragement group counseling with college students in turkey.The Journal of Individual Psychology. 2017;73(1):54-69. doi:10.1353/jip.2017.0004Miller R, Dillman Taylor D.Does Adlerian theory stand the test of time? : examining individual psychology from a neuroscience perspective.The Journal of Humanistic Counseling. 2016;55(2):111-128. doi:10.1002/johc.12028Fredrickson BL, Grewen KM, Coffey KA, Algoe SB, Firestine AM, Arevalo JM, Ma J, Cole SW.A functional genomic perspective on human well-being.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(33):13684-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.1305419110
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
McCluskey MC.Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality.Clin Soc Work J. 2021;1-13. doi:10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0Carlson J, Englar-Carlson M.Introduction. In:Adlerian Psychotherapy. American Psychological Association; 2017:3-9. doi:10.1037/0000014-001Belangee S.Individual psychology: relevant techniques for today’s counselor.Counseling Today.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Fassino S, Amianto F, Ferrero A.Brief Adlerian psychodynamic psychotherapy: theoretical issues and process indicators.Panminerva Med. 2008;50(2):165-75.Stubbe DE.The therapeutic alliance: the fundamental element of psychotherapy.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(4):402-403. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20180022Ergüner-Tekinalp B.The effectiveness of Adlerian-based encouragement group counseling with college students in turkey.The Journal of Individual Psychology. 2017;73(1):54-69. doi:10.1353/jip.2017.0004Miller R, Dillman Taylor D.Does Adlerian theory stand the test of time? : examining individual psychology from a neuroscience perspective.The Journal of Humanistic Counseling. 2016;55(2):111-128. doi:10.1002/johc.12028Fredrickson BL, Grewen KM, Coffey KA, Algoe SB, Firestine AM, Arevalo JM, Ma J, Cole SW.A functional genomic perspective on human well-being.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(33):13684-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.1305419110
McCluskey MC.Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality.Clin Soc Work J. 2021;1-13. doi:10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0
Carlson J, Englar-Carlson M.Introduction. In:Adlerian Psychotherapy. American Psychological Association; 2017:3-9. doi:10.1037/0000014-001
Belangee S.Individual psychology: relevant techniques for today’s counselor.Counseling Today.
Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.
Fassino S, Amianto F, Ferrero A.Brief Adlerian psychodynamic psychotherapy: theoretical issues and process indicators.Panminerva Med. 2008;50(2):165-75.
Stubbe DE.The therapeutic alliance: the fundamental element of psychotherapy.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(4):402-403. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20180022
Ergüner-Tekinalp B.The effectiveness of Adlerian-based encouragement group counseling with college students in turkey.The Journal of Individual Psychology. 2017;73(1):54-69. doi:10.1353/jip.2017.0004
Miller R, Dillman Taylor D.Does Adlerian theory stand the test of time? : examining individual psychology from a neuroscience perspective.The Journal of Humanistic Counseling. 2016;55(2):111-128. doi:10.1002/johc.12028
Fredrickson BL, Grewen KM, Coffey KA, Algoe SB, Firestine AM, Arevalo JM, Ma J, Cole SW.A functional genomic perspective on human well-being.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013;110(33):13684-9. doi:10.1073/pnas.1305419110
Hannah Owens, LMSW
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