Adlerian Therapy

Adler emphasized on what he called, “Private Logic” (Carlson & Slavik, 2009). Private logic is the reasoning invented by an individual to stimulate and justify a style of life. Feeling insignificant and inferior leads people to develop their Private logic. There are 5 common basic mistakes; overgeneralizations, false or impossible goals of security, misperception of life and life’s demands, minimization or denial of one’s basic worth, and faulty values. Individuals seek counseling to correct their lifestyle through the process and the stages of counseling. Along the way, the various techniques, the counselor’s skills, and the client’s motivation to improve can affect the process. Adler believed the important aspect of understanding the client

(Dreikurs & Mosak, 2011). Adlerian counselors are usually active-directive and highly encouraging. Counselors must have faith in the process themselves and show hope and unconditional love to the client. Many therapeutic mechanisms may enhance the client’s faith. The therapist’s own faith in himself or herself; the therapist’s appearance of wisdom, strength, and assurance; and the therapist’s willingness to listen without criticism and judgment may all be used to strengthen the client’s faith. Adlerian counselors always encourage and try to keep the client’s hope elevated and that is because Adlerians hold that the client suffers from discouragement. The client must also believe the counselor cares, however; the therapist must avoid pitfalls such as infantilizing, over-supporting, or becoming a victim of the client when client accuses the therapist of not caring enough. There must be no power differential between clients and counselors to enhance the therapeutic relationship. I often help my client feel secure and comfortable with me and the therapy process with small feedback phrases such as “I hear you, I understand, I believe

The use of medication is an increasing reality in the realm of psychotherapy. In Adler’s time, psychotropic medications were not used, but his daughter, Alexandra, had this to say about her father’s probable view of medication: “I would have loved my father to have seen the effects of drugs on psychosis. I am sure he would have accepted it. He was always open to progress.” (Manaster, 1977, p. 172). Many believe that the use of medication is an ethical adjustment to therapy. In many cases, pharmacotherapy can help clients achieve a mental state in which they can benefit from counseling (Sperry & Carlson, 1996). I believe psychoactive medications are useful as long as it does not interfere with the focus on enhancing social interest and developing effective private logic and effective, socially useful behavior in the