Adlerian Theory and Therapy Before Adler’s theory about the psychology of growth in the 1920’s one widely accepted form of therapy was Freud’s psychoanalytic approach that posited physiological chemistry and sexual repression were the causes of neurosis. Freud’s psychoanalytic methodology was long and tedious, and focused more on the person as an individual outside and apart from society rather than being within it. Conversely, Adler contended that all people are born into a group (family) and therefore should be treated accordingly. Moreover, Adler postulated “that fundamentally humans all have a need to belong” (Ferguson, 2010, p. 1). This led to developing an approach that dealt with people on a holistic level which included not only treating the person as an individual, but to treat them as members of something greater than themselves (society). Adler’s group approach is utilized in “both prison and child guidance populations” (Gladding, 2016, p. 382), the workplace (Ferguson, 2006a, p. 80), schools, and with families. The effectiveness from Adlerian group therapy derives from the social identifiable conflicts that all people endure. Moreover, in a group setting the individual is faced with multiple interactions among other group members concerning their behavior and thought process via feedback and by being challenged publicly to identify and adjust any illogical or irrational thoughts and beliefs. Naturally, Adlerian group therapy operates from the
If the Adlerian therapy is summarized, it can be added here that the therapy is more of a growth plan. One of the main facts that is stressed by the theory is that human beings are in control of their own nature and that there should be a positive view towards the nature. Views that an individual has towards his nature leads him in having a good or bad faith. Being a child, a certain kind of lifestyle is adopted by an individual and this kind of lifestyle goes on in a consistent manner throughout his life (Carlson, Watts, and Maniacci, 2006, p. 45).
Adlerian group counseling can be considered a brief therapy with four phases: 1) Establishing and maintaining cohesive relationships with members: the therapy is based on relationship between equals based on cooperation and mutual respect. Both group leader and members work together toward mutually-agreed upon goals to facilitate change throughout the sessions (Corey, 2000). Through active participation in the group, members are provided with an opportunity to work on their issues and witness positive change within their peers which proves group works. 2) Analysis and Assessment - Exploring the Individual’s Dynamics: the aim is to understand an individual’s lifestyle and how it is affecting his/her current functioning in society. Group leaders can assess participants using different assessments such as: family constellation, birth
Adlerian Therapy/Individual Psychology (Alfred Adler—sickly childhood) growth model instead of sickness model motivated by social relatedness not sexual urges; purposeful/goal-directed behavior; focus on
18). Challenge Myths and Misconceptions- about what group is and what occurs. Convey Information- Explain Confidentiality, stages of the group developmental stages that are oriented with groups (David, 1995, p. 21). Explain procedures and obtain informed consent. Screening – using a group selection questionnaire. During the beginning phase of group therapy, issues arise around topics such as orientation, beginners’ anxiety, and the role of the leader. The purpose of the group is articulated, working conditions of the group are established, members are introduced, a positive tone is set for the group, and group work begins (David, 1995, p. 22). This phase may last from 10 minutes to a number of months. In a revolving group, this orientation will happen each time a new member joins the group (David, 1995, p.
I believe groups are a very useful form of therapy, especially when involving gestalt and person centered into it. Group can be a very productive, supportive, safe, and insightful form of therapy, when a very thorough assessment of each individual has been done before accepting any individual.
My personal statement in my application to the Masters in Counseling program began with one word: “Empowerment.” In retrospect, I should have written “Encouragement” because, in the Adlerian sense of the term, I relate well to others through my ability to encourage them to set and attain their goals, especially when that goal is valuing self. Encouragement is the foundation of my pragmatic, forward-looking, goal-oriented beliefs about the therapeutic process. More than any other theories discussed, Adlerian Therapy most closely matches my personal philosophies of counseling and life in general. Some say Adler was the grandfather of modern counseling. I would say he is the grandfather of common-sense counseling. Adlerian concepts are fundamental
Upon taking this course I have learned that group therapy consist of psychotherapy treatment that allows individuals to come in contact with each other. As members approach one another they are strangers at this point. They begin to communicate with each other about their issues in an interpersonal setting. In group therapy, I have also learned and seen from experiences that some members would like to be the dominant one in the group who enjoys taking over the group sessions, be demeaning and manipulative towards others members and the therapist. The statement that was verbalized by the group member towards the other client transitioned to the storming stage. This stage consist of conflict, dominance and rebellion (Yalom 314). The member voiced his/her statement with anger towards the highly educated group member. As the group leader the intervention that I will implement to facilitate a corrective emotional experience will be as discussed in chapter 5, relates to culture building. Yalom states that an unwritten code of behavioral rules or norms should be implemented to remind the clients of the expectancy in the group (Yalom 120). Implementing or practicing the eleven factors for a conducive interpersonal session should include: instillation of hope, universality, altruism, development of socializing techniques and interpersonal learning just to name a few.
Group therapy services as a vehicle for breaking down defense mechanisms of members as well as in as a means to enhance social skills, assist with positive personal interactions and explore new behavior patterns within a secure environment. Much of the success of group work centers on the group leader; those that are poorly trained may negatively affect client’s recovery. Also groups, however can be a difficult transition for clients with concurring disorders. Members with anxiety disorders often struggle within the group setting and may require changes within the treatment program to adhere to their
Through research, group therapy has been proven to be as cost affective and therapeutically beneficial as individual therapy for treatment of psychological issues (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2010). For counselors to appropriately facilitate many types of group therapy they need to develop certain skills. These skills can be learned through cross training. Some counselors may find they only like to facilitate certain types of groups, but they can overcome their personal discomfort by learning the strategies that are available to assist them. This paper is about my group therapy conceptualization, world view, and the group process.
Yalom (2005) argues that 12 main factors facilitate change in group psychotherapy. These include altruism, group
Psychologist, psychoanalyst, doctor of medicine, and author, Sigmund Freud’s contributions to the world of science and psychology were far from limited. The self and widely regarded scientist was born in Friedberg in 1856 where he lived before moving to Vienna, Germany, where he would later produce founding revelations at the birth of psychology as a science. From his beginnings, Freud focused on psychopathology and the conscious mind (Jones, 1949). The renowned “Father of Psychoanalysis” created a pathway and a foundation for psychology, influencing the world of psychology from its birth to modern day practice. Freud’s delve into the unconscious, dreams, psychosexual development, and the id, ego, and super-ego, are just a limited number of his studies that greatly influenced numerous psychologists and theories of modern psychology. One of his earliest practices and most accredited work dealt with psychoanalysis specifically. Though this practice is seldom used in modern psychology in the treatment of psychological disorders, it assuredly carried great influence in the development of modern practices of psychological theories. Freud’s creation of psychoanalysis exceeded his professional career, influencing modern psychologists and theories, one specifically being ego psychology, that was founded in the mid 20th century of modern
Sigmund Freud was the discoverer and inventor of psychoanalysis and coined the term in 1896 after publishing studies on Hysteria with Joseph Breuer in 1895. Psychoanalysis still remains unsurpassed in its approach to understanding human motivation, character development, and psychopathology. Freud’s insights and analyses of psychic determinism, early childhood sexual development, and unconscious processes have left an indelible mark on psychology (Korchin, 1983).
Both Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler were pioneers and both had a phenomenal impact on the world of psychology. However, while they were raised in the same era, came from the same city and were educated at the same university, they had decidedly different views regarding personality theories (Schultz, 1990, p. 120). Freud and Adler were both colleagues in the psychoanalytic movement that Freud started. However, because of personality differences and vastly contrasting views about personality theories (Mosak & Maniacci, 1999, p.6) Adler left to begin his own faction, which he called Individual Psychology. It is my intention to briefly describe the main areas of their theories, compare and contrast their ideas of personality development, explore what types of experiences contributes to unhealthy development and what types of interventions they would have each prescribed to patients experiencing difficulties in their lives. However, while both Freud and Adler continue to influence many areas of contemporary personality psychology, only one of them can truly be called a humanitarian.
At the age of 40 in 1896, Sigmund Freud introduced the world to a new term- psychoanalysis (Gay 1). Psychoanalysis is a method of treating patients with different nervous problems by involving them in dialogues which provide the physician with insight into the individual’s psyche. These dialogues provided the basis for Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which “attempts to explain personality, motivation, and psychological disorders by focusing on the influence of early childhood experiences, on unconscious motives and conflicts, and on the methods people use to cope with their sexual and aggressive urges” (Weiten 363). Part of this theory involves the structure of the mind. This is a concept that touches
Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler are well-known and respected men in the world of psychology. Both their theories involved the study of the human mind. Freud believed that much of the human instinct was sexually based and that many problems they suffered were due to this instinct. Freud concluded that his patients' memories reached back to childhood and that many of the repressed experiences they recalled concerned sexual issues. Adler believed there was more to the individual but also knew that biology had an influence. He also believed that one’s birth order and socially affected the development of the human personality.