ADLERIAN THEORY

Adlerian Theory

[Instituation Name]

Abstract

Studying a range of different theoretical approaches to counseling can lead students of mental health and psychotherapy to narrow in on particular theories from the masters from which to build a professional foundation. It is important that practicing therapists discover a school of thought that resonates with their innate ideas about counseling. Because Alfred Adler's theories place great emphasis on such things as social awareness, attitude, self-esteem, empowerment, strength of clients, and a hopeful outlook, counseling professionals with corresponding values and similar viewpoints may find Adlerian theories to be a very compatible basis for practice. Practices based on Adlerian theories are known to be successful for people from every walk of life because if these very attributes.

Adlerian Theory

Introduction

When developing a professional identity, counselors search for their own style through the methods and practices of others, much in the way that a composer searches for musical ideas from geniuses past for elements to emulate in their own compositions. Using this allegory, it can also be said that both the practicing counselor and the composer start from well-established ideas and philosophies from which to take root. What grows in that place is something embedded in viable credibility, but still altogether unique; combining styles, ideas and theories from the philosophy of other authorities. The starting point for finding one's own method must begin with some common ground, that which can be found in the study and success of other counselors and psychotherapists. Alfred Adler was one such celebrated therapist, whose studies on human nature and will have influenced decades of therapeutic practices since. His work is solid place to start for a counselor who might find their personal values resonating with his.

Rationale

Pieces of the ideology and principles of Alfred Adler are considered to be given components of almost any existing therapeutic practice today. Adler is credited for many of his published philosophies, some of which were pre-existing, but not corroborated by practice until the 1930s. He was the first great name associated with psychotherapy to bring forth concern for the mental health of the common person in reference to greater social implications (Ansbacher, 1958, 47). The Adlerian counselor believes that anyone has power to change, they have only to make the conscious choice to do so. They believe that any client has the ability to cope with life challenges in a healthy manner, regardless of their past decisions. It is this notion that gives the school of Adlerian thought its unique characteristics; for Adler believed in the reality of innate strength. In many ways, this idea counters modern Western views on psychology; which can lean more toward mechanized diagnostic patterns of finding an abnormality, then choosing a remedy for it, much like physiological ailments in modern Western medicine. It seems that Adler believed that the human mind was complicated, like a timepiece. When a clock throws a spring, it needs a new part. The human mind, however, is a timepiece that contains the reparative means to start ticking again ...