Chapter 5 - Adlerian Therapy

1. Who is associated with the theory?
     - Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, Erich Fromm, Harry Stack Sullivan

2. What are the basic assumptions underlying this apporach?
     - This theory stresses the unity of personality, saying that people can only be understood as integrated and complete beings.  Places high importance on purposeful behavior, emphasizing that where we have come from is not as important as where we are striving to go. 

3. What are a few of the key concepts that are essential to this theory?
     - Believes that humans start to develop an approach to life in the first six years of life.  Behavior is purposeful and goal-oriented.  The theory states consciousness (not unconsciousness) is the focus of therapy.  This approach is unique for the fact that it pays attention to the relationships between siblings and order in which they were born (oldest children, second child, middle child, youngest child, and only child).

4. What do you consider the most important goals of this theory?
     - The main goal of the Adlerian approach "is to develop the client's snese of belonging and to assist in the adoption of behaviors and processes characterized by community feeling and social interest" (p. 109).  Other main goals are fostering social interest, helping clients overcome feelings of discouragement and inferiority, changing faulty motivation, recognizeing equality among people and helping clients become contributing members of society.

5. What role does the therapeutic relationship play in terms of therapy outcomes?
     - The relationship in Adlerian therapy revolves around "cooperation, mutual trust, respect, confidence, collaboration, and alignment of goals" (p. 112).

6. What are a few of the techniques from this therapy model that you would want to incorporate into your counseling practice?
     - In the Adlerian approach there are four objectives that correspond to four phases of the therapeutic process.  These phases weave together are not rigid steps.  These phases are "establish[ing] the proper therapeutic relationship, explor[ing] the psychological dynamics operating in the client (an assessment), encourag[ing] the development of self-understanding (insight into purpose), and help[ing] the client make new choices (reorientation and reeducation, p. 113)."

7. What are some of the ways that this theory is applied to client populations, settings, and treatment of problems?
     - The Adlerian approach can be applied to a wide variety of client populations whom are seeking growth.  It is ideally suited to preventive care and alleviating a broad range of conditions that interfere with growth.

8. What do you see as the major strength of this theory from a diversity perspective?
     - I believe the major strength of this theory is the fact that it is cultureally diverse, because it is grounded in the client's culture and worldviews, rather than trying to place a client into preconceived groups or models.

9. What do you see as a major limitation of this theory from a diversity perspective?
     - The major limitation of this theory from a diversity perspective is that some cultures (i.e. Asian) believe it is inappropriate to reveal family information, and may be hesitant to reveal their past struggles that brought them into counseling in the first place.

10. What do you consider to be the most significant contribution of this approach?
     - I believe the most significant contribution of the Adlerian approach is the fact that it is flexible and its integrative nature.

11. What do you consider to be the most significant limitation of this approach?
     - I believe the most significant limitation of the Adlerian approach is that there is not much supporting evidence of the effectiveness of the approach.