Group Work in the Adlerian Style

Theory Review
Adlerian therapy is an evidence-based approach that can be applied to the
treatment of any type of psychological disorder. It is used in conjunction with other
techniques such as play therapy, art therapy, and culturally sensitive counseling.
Adler considered human beings as an individual whole, therefore he called this
approach "Individual Psychology" (Orgler, 1976). Adler was the first to emphasize
the importance of the social element in the re-adjustment process of the individual.

Interesting side bar information: In the early 1930's most of Adler's Austrian
clinics were closed because he was of Jewish heritage, although he had converted
to Christianity). He emigrated to the United States to assume a professorship at
the Long Island College of Medicine.  He had a heart attack and died while on a
lecture tour in Scotland. His remains could not be located until 2007, 74 years
after his death (Carrell, 2011).

Carrell, S. (2011). Ashes of psychoanalysis co-founder Alfred Adler found after 74

years. The Guardian.

Alfred Adler believed that neurosis was the response of a person withdrawing from
life’s required responsibilities. Their symptoms protect them from the feelings of
failure. He was also a believer in the social nature of people

Basic tenets of Adlerian theory:

 Purposefulness of behavior
 Subjective nature of perception
 Holistic nature of people
 Importance of a healthy lifestyle
 Individual self-determination
 Ability to choose from a variety of behaviors after considering consequences

Central to the theory is that people are motivated by social interest and have
concern for others. Adlerian theory emphasizes:
  Responsibility
 Search for meaning
 Striving for superiority

You learn about the individual by learning how the person operates within a social
context – which means it is ideally suited for group counseling. Another major
aspect of this theory is the emphasis on family constellation and process, which
affects personality development during childhood. A group setting is a great place
to do this. People often assume the roles they play in their family/life in a group
setting

The life of the human soul is not a "being" but a "becoming. - Adler

Main Tasks

The main tasks we ALL must master to be happy/healthy, according to this theory,
are:

1. Building friendships (Social task)

2. Establishing Intimacy (Love/marriage task)
3. Contributing to society (Occupational task)

Later in his work, he added two other tasks   4. Self development; and 5. Spiritual
Development

Areas of Lifestyle

He outlined four areas of lifestyle

1. The self concept - convictions about who I am 

2. The self ideal - convictions about who I should be

3. The Weltbid or picture of the world - convictions about the non-self and
what the world demands of me

4. Ethical convictions - right-wrong code

Stages of Therapy

Adlerian therapy proceeds in four stages:

1. Engagement, or creating a collaborative relationship with your therapist

2. Assessment of your personal history, with an emphasis on birth order and
early childhood memories 

3. Insight, wherein the therapist helps you view your situation from a different
perspective
4. Reorientation, wherein the therapist suggests active steps you can take
outside of therapy to reinforce newly developed insights and perhaps learn
even more about yourself and your capabilities
Overall, the focus is on reframing the attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle choices that
block success, so that you are more effective at reaching your desired goals.

I am very comfortable with Adler’s social oriented theories when applied to the
group counseling format. Just go down the list of tenets and you have an approach
to group therapy that shines – behavior that demands purpose, the subjectivity of
perception, the advantages of viewing people in holistic way, the value of health,
the responsibility implied in self-determination, and the consequential implications
of choice – what more can you want in a mandate for change.

As social creatures, how could we even conceive of addressing our place in the
universe outside of a social context? It makes much more sense to me now, why
there has been such an explosion of social networking in the digital world, and why
Adlerian theory is so well suited for group counseling.

What to Expect

Adlerian therapy proceeds in four stages:

 1. Engagement, or creating a collaborative relationship with your therapist
2. Assessment of your personal history, with an emphasis on birth order and
early childhood memories
3. Insight, wherein the therapist helps you view your situation from a different
perspective
4. Reorientation, wherein the therapist suggests active steps you can take
outside of therapy to reinforce newly developed insights and perhaps learn
even more about yourself and your capabilities
Overall, the focus is on reframing the attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle choices that
block success, so that you are more effective at reaching your desired goals.

Remember, we are helping clients create a NEW family experience – again,

creating new pathways in the brain! And in their lives!

Optional - For more information on the theory itself, visit Dr. Stien’s
presentation The Main Idea in Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy: