Theories of Counseling Adlerian Theory Power Point produced

Theories of Counseling: Adlerian Theory Power. Point produced by Melinda Haley, M. S. , New Mexico State University. “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: v any public performance or display, including transmission of an image over a network; v preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; v any rental, lease, or lending of the program. ” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory History of Adlerian Theory v Inspired by Freudian psychoanalysis. v Founded by Alfred Adler, championed in America by Rudolf Dreikurs. v Dissemination throughout American elementary schools during the guidance movement by Don Dinkmeyer. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Basic Tenets of Adlerian Theory v Inferiority vs. superiority. v Humans are constantly becoming. v It is holistic and phenomenological. v Society is viewed as teleological. v Adlerians are considered to be technical eclectives. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory of Personality v The person is viewed as a unified organism. v Humans are motivated by social interest. v People want to belong. v Life Tasks: Friendship, occupation, love, spirituality, understanding the individual self ( I and the me). “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory of Personality (Continued) v Nomothetic Principles: Ø The basic dynamic force is striving for a fictional goal—superiority. Ø Successful adaptation to life depends upon the degree of social interest in goal striving. Ø Goal striving may be considered active and can be considered according to type. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory of Personality (Continued) v Fictional Goals: The outcome of unconscious notions that have no counterpart in reality. Ø The are concerned with the future. Ø They start early in life--as young as infancy. Ø Fictional conceptualizations become the first goals of what will become lifestyle. Ø Fictional goals are our attempt to belong and be significant in the eyes of others. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory of Personality (Continued) Types of People Ruling: Is dominant in relationships. Getting: Is expectant and dependent. Avoiding: Shies away from problems. Driving: Is achievement oriented. Controlling: Likes order and certainty. Being victimized or martyred: Both like suffering. Being good: Likes being competent and better. Being socially useful: Cooperative and humble. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory of Personality (Continued) Idiographic Principles Everyone has his or her own style of life. Style of life is the overall pattern that affects a persons thinking, feeling and behaving. Perception guides behavior. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Nature of Maladjustment v A person has a mistaken opinion of himself or herself and of the world. v A person engages in abnormal behavior to protect his or her opinion of self. v A person will do this when threatened with failure and insecurity. v The person becomes self-centered rather than other-centered. v The individual is unconscious of these events. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Nature of Maladjustment (continued) v Inferiority complex: The individual is overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy. v Family constellation: Mediates the genetic and constitutional factors brought by the child and the cultural factors that influence the child. v Safeguarding: Symptoms are developed for the purpose of safeguarding the fictional goal. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory The Counseling Process v The Client-Counseling Relationship: Collaborative, egalitarian, respectful and cooperative. v Understanding the Client: How is the client behaving? What does the client gain from this behavior? Why does the client do this in this manner? v Assessment and Analysis: Family Atmosphere and Constellation, Birth Order, Early Recollections, Dreams, and Priorities. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory The Counseling Process (continued) v Insight and Interpretation: Helps the client see his or her priority and ask whether or not the price for achieving it is worth paying. v Reorientation: Counselor offers alternative ideas or beliefs for the client’s consideration. v Prescribing New Behavioral Rituals: The client is assigned “homework” that engages him or her in repetitive acts to reinforce the client’s new belief system, behaviors and rules of interaction. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Strategies for Helping Clients v Restatement: Restating the client’s words to form clarity and convey understanding. v Reflection: Restating the client’s words to give deeper meaning regarding the underlying feeling. v Guesses, Hunches, Hypotheses: Making statements to explain what is happening. v Questioning: To get a better understanding but also reframe the symptoms for the client. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Strategies for Helping Clients (continued) v Interpretation: Takes guesses, hunches and hypotheses one step further. Focuses on the “whys” of behavior. v Nonverbal Behavior: Adlerians bring the client’s nonverbal behavior to the attention of the client and interpret it. v Immediacy: Dealing with what is in the here and now. v Active Wondering: Proposes an alternative to the presenting problem. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Strategies for Helping Clients (continued) v Confrontation: Pointing out discrepancies between what the client says and what the client does. v Paradoxical Intention: Asking the client to amplify target behavior to show the client how ridiculous it is. v Creating Images: Asks the client to imagine a ridiculous scene as he or she enters into a threatening situation. v Asking “The Question”: “If your problem were to disappear overnight, how would things be different? ” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Strategies for Helping Clients (continued) v Catching Oneself: Having the client catch himself or herself when engaging in irrational behavior. v Acting As If: Acting out a role that the client thought impossible. v Spitting in the Soup: Spoiling the game of the client. v Encouragement: Promotes client self-awareness. Client’s aren’t sick but only discouraged. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Strategies for Helping Clients (continued) v Midas Technique: Exaggerating the client’s neurotic demands. v Pleasing Someone: Helps put the client back into society. The client is instructed to go out and do something nice for someone else. v Avoiding the Tar Baby: Acting contrary to what the client expects. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Advantages of Adlerian Theory v It can be used for numerous issues and disorders. v Uses encouragement. v It is phenomenological. v It does not consider people to be predisposed to anything. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory Disadvantages of Adlerian Theory v The amount of family and lifestyle information that is collected. v Sometimes difficult to do the interpretations, especially the dreams. v Adlerian therapy works best with highly verbal and intelligent clients. This might leave out many people who do not fit that category. v Might be too lengthy for managed care. v Adlerians do not like to make diagnoses as it labels people. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Adlerian Theory and Diversity v Adlerians were pioneers in multiculturalism. v Adlerian relationships are equitable, cooperative, and empathic. v Adlerian theory’s focus on inferiority is understanding of the disenfranchised. v Adlerian theory can be used successful with many diverse groups. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Resources Ivey, A. E. , D’Andrea, M. , Ivey, M. B. and Morgan, L. S. (2002). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective, 5 th ed. Boston, MA. : Allyn & Bacon. James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2003). Theories and strategies in counseling and psychotherapy, 5 th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Kottler, J. A. (2002). Theories in counseling and therapy: An experiential approach. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”