Adlerian Theory

Alfred Adler is a great psychologist and he proposed a theory that basically stresses the aspects of birth sequence, personal life behaviors, social concerns, and personal self-worth as the main characteristics of personality. Adler theorized that a person’s contribution or input to social relationships will enhance one’s own mental health. A psychologically healthy person will be beneficial to the people at large. The more a person integrates in the social context, the more he or she will be happier mentally.

When erroneous beliefs and convictions disappear, conflicts about self-worth will decline. Decreased conflict and increased self-confidence will contribute to social enrichment. These false convictions can be tackled through the knowledge of family relationships, childhood incidents and memories, and dream interpretations. Adler believed in the uniqueness of an individual and that people are aware of their strengths and weaknesses with regard to their behavior. Adler feels that people are socially conscious and they will have aspirations in social life. His mention of ‘inferiority complex’ is associated with personal insufficiency. He postulated that every human being possesses some sense of inferiority or inadequacy and struggles for superiority or supremacy.

Adlerian Therapy

Adlerian therapy basically tries to assist a patient to get over the inferiority feelings, and make him or her fix realistic agendas and achieving them, which will contribute to their happiness and self-importance. The therapy aims at influencing a patient’s basic assumptions and agendas. The therapy deals with the feelings of identity which arise due to indulgent actions and divergences.

Based on the theory that human conduct is governed by a set agenda which is socially oriented, this therapy is an educational methodology that stresses knowledge of personal life style behavior while working toward transformation. As the therapy insists on setting up of goals to be achieved, the social motive of the therapy enhances social and family cohesion.

As the therapy aims at patients identifying their erroneous convictions and flawed premises, and educates them to improve themselves, several methodologies can be followed. Some of them are:

Adlerian Methodology

Set up an association – The therapist, over some sessions, develops rapport with the patient and gains his or her confidence and trust slowly. The mutual trust and respect are necessary to improve the chances accomplishment with this therapy. The agenda that the therapist sets for the patient should address the aspirations of the patient. The therapist should advise suitable agenda to achieve, in case of conflict with aspirations. A clean harmonization of priorities and goals between treatment provider and receiver early in the treatment procedure will enhance the efficacy of the therapy.

Reality assessment – This therapy aims at assessing a person’s way of life and overview of the world and outlook with reference to the person’s mental disposition. The therapy tries to identify major events, which may be successes or setbacks, and looks for a possible pattern that will have effect in present day life. The patient is induced to identify and think about past occurrences and setbacks, and make him or her to come out with their own personal logic for the past events and their self-assessment of behavior. This subjective approach will help a person to harmonize present behavior with past experiences. This technique is used for self-realization and introspection.

The therapist also looks at origin of problems, the causative factors, social influences, health issues, reasons for seeking treatment, and existence appraisal. Family background and influence are taken into consideration. Adler insisted that all behaviors are intentional and goal-based. People may not be aware or conscious of their agendas or motives. The people may possess certain skills or capabilities, but they may not employ them or improve them. This absence of exploitation may actually be serving a purpose. Mere possession is useless; it does not serve an individual. Effective utilization of inherent talent for personal benefit will enhance self-realization. Adlerian therapy will help a person to realize self-worth.

Behavioral improvement – This therapy should aim at re-education which makes a person more creative and functional human being in the social context. Adlerians help in making patients to act and behave the way these patients always wanted to be always. Adlerian therapy concentrates on applications of personal psychological principles that are intended to make available the advantages of individual improvements and self-worth. The counseling approach is used by educators and family members to make people realize the strength of social relationships with regard to their own mental well-being.