Adlerian Theory

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Goodwin College *

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230

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Psychology

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by annao131186

Journal # 2 COUN 5510 Counseling Theories and Techniques The evidence-based theory I chose to reflect on was Adlerian Theory. Adler believed that a person's willpower was as important or even more important than their sex drive. He stuck to the idea that frustration had given way to an inferiority complex. This, in turn, has become a breeding ground for various mental disorders. At the same time, Alfred Adler rejected the idea that our first experiences remain unconscious and determine our mental life. On the contrary, it placed greater value on a person's ability to give direction and meaning to his or her life in the here and now. Adler's most famous theoretical slogan is lifestyle. Each of us has our own unique lifestyle. According to Adler, every person also has the same goal in life, but there are countless ways to achieve them. For example, the athlete focuses on developing the speed, endurance and strength of his muscles. The intellectual achieves his goal by striving for intellectual development. They lead a more sedentary lifestyle, reads, studies and his life are organized. His entire"lifestyle" is subordinated to achieving intellectual superiority. According to Adler, lifestyle is shaped in early childhood (fourth to fifth years). Attitudes, emotions, perception become ingrained. It is difficult, if not impossible, to change your lifestyle. Going further, Adler tries to explain the sources of the formation of "lifestyle". In his early works, he combined lifestyle with a feeling of inferiority in a given sphere of life and the desire to compensate for it. A physically weak child will strive for physical development, while a child with little ability will strive for intellectual superiority. However, this explanation was too simple and mechanical, so he created a more dynamic principle and found the creative self. This

phenomenon can be observed, but it is difficult to describe. The basic assumption of the discussed doctrine is that we shape our own personality. We construct it through experience on the foundations of heredity. The basis of Adler's theory were his observations of his patients. Many of them had a long history of physical limitations. He found that some people turned their experiences into motivation to develop original ways to compensate for their limitations. Others, however, allowed frustration to overcome them, preventing them from moving and growing. Based on these observations, Adler placed great importance on human willpower to overcome difficulties. Adlerian psychology has applications in the treatment of various areas of mental health, especially in promoting personal development. In fact, this is where its greatest potential lies. This method is useful in the following clinical areas: fear, depression, addiction, schizophrenia, reinforcement, decision-making, low self-esteem, improving social relations, personal development and resilience, negative thoughts and discouragement, feeling of inferiority and loneliness. The limitations of this theory would be that it is inappropriate for suicidal clients, bipolar disorder, clients needing medication for treatment, or if the client was abused, physically emotionally or sexually. Adlerian Therapy views human beings as creatures of purpose and meaning anchored in their social environment. Every individual is unique and has a distinct way of going through life, fulfilling one’s potential and striving for perfection. Each individual seeks to accomplish their own unique goals, and to make a significant contribution to society. The Adlerian therapist establishes a strong therapeutic alliance vital to creating that trusting and collaborative environment for the client. The hallmark of such therapy is that the therapist collects data about

the client's early childhood memories as this provides insights to the client's core beliefs, values, goals and strategies for dealing with life challenges. This theory views humans as having an innate potential for growth, self actualization, and personal development. The theory recognize that every individual is unique, and that answers to the client problems are within themselves. This offers the clients, hope, belief in their self worth, and that they have the power to change their lives. Some of the strategies counselors could utilize with a client to assist planning life goals such as career, family, education, work would be task, setting and goal orientation, which the clients carry out between sessions. These tasks encourage self-awareness, provide opportunities to practice new behaviors and guide individuals toward their goals. Another technique is role- play. By acting out specific situations, clients can explore emotions behaviors and alternate responses effectively to practice new strategies and behaviors before applying them in real life. And finally guided in imagery. Therapist guide clients through vivid imagined experiences. This can help the individuals confront fears, visualize, successful outcome, or experience situations from a new perspective. As a therapy progresses the therapists provide feedback and interpretations along the way to help the clients understand the behaviors, beliefs and feelings. This insight provides a path for change. In Poland, during my school-age years in my Catholic school, my upbringing and value systems were influenced by my teachers. Rules were very strict and abided by or we were punished, respect was shown to the adults at all times, any feedback we received was based on anything bad we did not necessarily anything good we did. As a result, I believe my behaviors today are directly related to this upbringing. For example, I worry what people are thinking about me, and I strive to do everything right the first time for a fear of correction from others.

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According to the Adlerian theory, we all have an innate potential for growth development and self actualization, by becoming self-aware of our behaviors in response to our environment, so that we can work on changing these behaviors. In my case where I worry about what people think it’s a behavior difficult to change. I’m not sure if I am at a point where I’m willing to change or work on changing that behavior and I realize that I would have to be at that point for this theory to work for me. The client has to want to change for the therapy to be a success. Although the Adlerian theory approach is focused on the person within a social context, this makes it well suited when working with culturally diverse clients. These therapists encourage the clients to define themselves within their social environments within a multicultural view. Multiculturalism is based within the value of community. For example, a Native American would rather cooperate, then compete against another. Many clients have been conditioned to respect their family heritage and to appreciate the impact of their family on their own personal development (Corey, 2021) I would incorporate this theory into my practice based on my preference to examine the individual and understand them in regard to their individual needs, how themselves within the community that they live. In order to treat someone effectively, we must know the entire individual not merely negative behaviors. Individuals will improve their behavior when they are made to feel valued and appreciated, as do most of the children. As a humanistic therapy, I would focus on helping the individual understand the root of their behavior patterns and encourage them to develop a sense of belonging and fulfillment. By doing so, the client is encouraged to overcome their limitations, and establish a more constructive and socially beneficial way of living. I would engage the client to develop a trusting relationship with me and talk about the clients' experiences, emotions, behaviors, and family upbringing in my assessment. This would

give me more insight as to their past experiences and how it shaped their current beliefs and behaviors. Finally, the client can be re-oriented, together we would come up with new interpretation of their past, and as well as strategies that they can use to change their life and positive ways.

References: Corey, G. (2021). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage. Kendra Cherry, Mse. (2023, May 4). What to know about adlerian theory. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/alderian-theory-definition-techniques-and-efficacy- 5213796 Smith, E.-M. (n.d.). Psychoanalytic therapy: Definition, techniques & goals. HealthyPlace. https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/mental-illness-overview/psychoanalytic-therapy- definition-techniques-goals Team, B. E. (2023, December 14). Adlerian theory: Understanding the individual. BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/adlerian-theory-understanding-the- individual/

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