Adlerian theory and individual psychology

Individual psychology based on Adlerian theory traces a type of holistic therapy as interesting as a practice used today. This provides the person with tools to overcome feelings of inferiority and work on a sense of belonging. Because healthy connection with others is key to enhancing well-being and happiness.

The Austrian doctor Alfred Adler created the therapy in the 20th century, with the purpose of promoting human growth, enabling him to overcome his difficulties. Thus, whoever ended up distancing himself from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic model, due to clear differences, bequeathed a resource supported by science and that is worth discovering.

Individual psychology: what does it consist of?

Individual psychology and Adlerian theory were avant-garde and advanced approaches for their time.. Works such as those published by the American Psychological Association (APA) highlight that this therapeutic model served as a basis for later approaches. In fact, even cognitive-behavioral therapy is nourished by the same theory.

Although Adler was part of the psychodynamic movement – to the point of presiding over the International Psychoanalytic Association in 1910 – he broke away from it and oriented himself towards another perspective.

The father of Adlerian therapy criticized Freud’s biological and deterministic point of view, to adopt a more social and positive view of human nature. Next, the pillars that make up this area of ​​psychology are analyzed.

1. Holistic vision

The person is a whole, a unit impossible to understand by considering only one of its areas, such as the biological.. The human being is the result of different processes that provide a global vision to understand and help him. What are those processes? Among others, the following stand out:

Fears.Instincts.Education.Needs.Experiences.Social context.

2. Feeling of belonging

One of the goals of individual psychology and Adlerian therapy is to promote a person’s feeling of belonging.. That is, the objective is to guide her to regain interest in social coexistence, creating healthy and meaningful bonds. After all, these are beings that require building networks and social interactions to survive, feel safe, learn and be happy.

3. A positive, humanistic and integrative model

In a work from Sam Houston State University they highlight that Adler’s individual psychology preceded positive psychology itself. This approach sees the person not as someone who is sick, but as a figure capable of assuming new learning to grow. The essence is to reorient it and build a meaningful and healthy life.

4. Path to excellence

One aspect that Adler is known for is his theory of the inferiority complex. The individual psychological approach seeks to deactivate this debilitating perception or feeling in patients. Because, According to Adlerian theory, one of our purposes, as in humanistic theory, is to achieve excellence and self-realization.

To achieve this, it is necessary to deactivate this low self-esteem and the idea of ​​not being as valid as others.

5. Ideographic and creative approach

In addition to the holistic perspective that conceives the human being as a whole, this model emphasizes the importance of perceiving oneself as unique beings. Each person has their own history, needs, ideas and realities that are different from those of anyone else. And not only that, Adlerian theory emphasizes the fact that anyone is capable of creating their own destiny through goals.

Adler’s theory also focused on understanding how people are influenced by social context.

Adlerian theory applied to therapy: basic concepts

Adlerian therapy is a holistic model, that is, it integrates different approaches. It has a social component, a humanistic one and, above all, that positive and even resilient vision of the human being. This makes it a striking therapy, whose background is to reeducate the person to remodel, in some way, society itself. It details its basic concepts.

Purposes

Depending on the job Adlerian therapy: Theory and practice (2006), this therapy based on the individual psychological field is based on a psychoeducational approach, with the following purposes:

Overcome feelings of inferiority and discouragement.Adopt behaviors that promote social interest.Seeking that the person builds a healthy and happy sense of belonging.Build a more positive vision of oneself that leads to self-realization. First understand how the individual constructs his or her life and relationships, and then encourage positive change in him or her.

Techniques

Individual psychology applies beneficial techniques for human development, well-being and connection with the environment. This involves, above all, creating a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment that helps the person grow, heal and learn. Below are the tools it applies:

Empathy; The psychologist builds an empathetic relationship with the person, to ensure that the patient develops his or her strengths.Lifestyle assessment, because it is convenient to know those defective dynamics in the person that lead to suffering.Construction of goals and expectations, Because the patient must be encouraged to overcome and achieve motivating objectives that generate healthy changes.Look to the past to build the future, Only in this way is it possible to understand the origin of human discomfort. Understanding yesterday creates a more valuable present and applies new behaviors.

Currently, Adlerian therapy offers specialists absolute freedom when applying techniques from various schools, such as cognitive-behavioral.

Stages

To encourage personal growth and deactivate the feeling of inferiority, Adlerian therapists follow a series of stages in their process. They are listed below:

Therapeutic alliance and commitment. This is the decisive factor: without that alliance between professional and patient there is no progress or achievements; Union supported by empathy and mutual collaboration is necessary.Assessment. It is necessary for the psychologist to analyze his patient’s lifestyle, knowing his past and the behavioral dynamics in each situation.Knowledge. The patient must understand which areas of his life he should change, to find well-being and invest in his individual growth.Reorientation and reformulation. Change comes when human beings vary their behaviors and assume new, more profitable, resilient and positive mental approaches.

For whom is therapy based on Adlerian theory useful?

Individual psychology and Adlerian therapy have a place to treat various areas of mental health and, especially, promote personal growth. In fact, it is in the latter where its greatest potential lies. It is generally useful in the following clinical areas:

Anxiety.Depression.Addictions.Schizophrenia.Empowerment.Decision making.People with low self-esteem.Improvement of social relationships.Self-improvement and resilience.Negative thoughts and discouragement.Feelings of inferiority and loneliness.

Adlerian therapy helps treat your feelings of inferiority and sense of belonging.

What should you know about this therapy before choosing it?

Adlerian therapy was developed in the mid-20th century. It has since been reformulated, so you find particular models such as brief Adlerian psychotherapy. The University of Turin comments in research on its convenience for treating everything from eating disorders to personality disorders. If this technique seems interesting to you, it is pertinent that you consider certain aspects:

The model is change-oriented, which requires commitment from the patient. It is a scientifically valid and effective approach, but it may not be useful for everyone.The alliance between the professional and the patient is essential. Without good harmony, there will be no progress. If you want to start Adlerian psychotherapy It is advisable to find specialized therapists in this school.Part of his intervention is to look at the past of the human being and this may not be comfortable for everyone.Adlerian therapy is integrated into other techniques such as rational emotive behavioral therapy, brief strategic therapy or person-centered therapy.

In conclusion, you are looking at a valuable approach that was very innovative at the time. Thanks to this, it persists over time, even integrating into other models and schools such as positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

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