Adlerian therapy was founded by Alfred Adler and focuses on understanding human behavior and psychology from a holistic, social perspective. Some key principles of Adlerian therapy include that individuals desire belonging, are purposeful and in control of their own lives, form their own realities, and should contribute to society. The four stages of Adlerian therapy are engagement, assessment, insight, and reorientation. Adlerian therapy has been applied to areas like family, group, and individual counseling.

1. Adlerian Therapy
Multimedia Assignment
Kristina Price
Theories of Counseling
Angelo State University

2. Adlerian Therapy is…
an effort to comprehend and clarify human behavior (Arnold, 1951)

3. Founder of Adlerian Therapy
Alfred Adler
• Born February 7, 1870
• Obtained medical degree from
University of Vienna in 1895
• Began his career as an
ophthalmologist
(“Adler University," n.d.)
("Alfred Adler 1870 - 1937," n.d.)

4. Founder of Adlerian Therapy Con’t.
Alfred Adler
•Moved to a general practice near a circus
•Inspired by the strengths and skills of the circus
performers
•Joined Freud, Rudolf Reitler, and Wilhelm Stekel to
start the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society
(“Adler University," n.d.)

5. Founder of Adlerian Therapy Con’t.
Alfred Adler
•Served in WWI as a doctor for the Austrian Army
•Professor at Long Island College of Medicine
•Died from a heart attack in 1937
(“Adler University," n.d.)

6. History of Adlerian Therapy
• With his practice near a circus, Adler began studying the
unique traits of the performers.
• Began developing his thoughts on compensation and
inferiority during this time.
• Began collaborating with Freud in 1907, yet parted ways just
four years later.
• Adler wanted a holistic approach that would look on the
whole person and social equality.
• Founded the Society of Individual Psychology in 1912.
(“Adler University," n.d.)

7. Adlerian Therapy-General Information
• Known as Individual Therapy
• Pioneered family and group counseling
• Improvement of human condition
• Informed the public on psychological concepts
• Developed an awareness in social interest, which included
contributing to society and having a sense of belonging
• Promoted democracy
(Newbauer, 2015)

8. 5 Major Tenets of Adlerian Therapy
 We desire a sense of belonging
 Healthy social interest results in well-
adjusted individuals
 Cooperation and contribution to a
group are vital
 Mal adjusted individuals put
themselves first.
(“Five Principles,” 2007)
("Alfred Adler Quote," n.d.)
1. We desire a sense of belonging

9. 5 Major Tenets of Adlerian Therapy
 Change is possible
 Must be active participants in our
own destiny
 Reactions can be controlled
 Improvement is the goal
2. We control our own lives 3. We act with purpose
(“Five Principles,” 2007)
 Behaviors are purposeful
 Goals are not permanent
 Changing a goal, changes the
choices
 People can always change

10. 5 Major Tenets of Adlerian Therapy
 Reality is self-determined
 While past events will remain, the
meaning may change
 Individuals create their own truth
 Approach to a challenge, determines
the severity of the challenge
4. We form our own reality 5. We are holistic
(“Five Principles,” 2007)
 Individuals are made of several
components
 To understand an individual, one
must look at the whole person
 Themes and patterns can be
seen in individuals
 Parts of an individual work
together.

11. Four Stages of Adlerian Therapy:
1. Engagement- therapeutic rapport is established between therapist and
counselee.
2. Assessment- counselee discusses history, beliefs, feelings and emotions to
determine lifestyle patterns.
3. Insight- counselee is encouraged to change ideas about circumstances.
4. Reorientation- client reinforces new beliefs with positive activities.
("Adlerian Psychology/psychotherapy," n.d.)

12. Application of Adlerian Therapy
The ideas of Adlerian Therapy have been implemented in many areas:
• child guidance
• parent-child counseling
• marital counseling
• family therapy
• group counseling
• individual counseling
• cultural conflicts
• correctional and rehabilitation
counseling
• substance abuse programs
• combating poverty and crime.
(Curtis, 2014)

13. Application of Adlerian Therapy
These tasks be mastered by the individual:
(Curtis, 2014)
Developing our
spiritual dimension life
(including values,
meaning, goals,)
Getting along with
ourselves (self-
acceptance)
Contributing to
society (occupational
task)
Establishing intimacy
(love-marriage task)

14. References
Adler University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.adler.edu/page/about/history/about-alfred-adler
Adlerian psychology/psychotherapy. (2007). Retrieved from Good Therapy,
http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/adlerian-psychology
Alfred Adler 1870 - 1937 [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.adler.edu/resources/category/1/6/images/alfred-adler.jpg
Alfred Adler Quote. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.azquotes.com/quote/866377
Curtis, R. (2014, April 17). Counseling theories. Retrieved from
http://counsellingtheories.blogspot.com/2011/01/adlerian-therapy.html

15. References
Five principles. (2007, March ). Retrieved from Western Pennsylvania Society of Adlerian Psychology,
http://wpsap.org/five-principles/
Newbauer, J. (2015). What is an Adlerian? Retrieved from North American Society of Adlerian
Psychology, http://www.alfredadler.org/what-is-an-adlerian
Stein, H. T. (n.d.). Adlerian Child Guidance Principles. Retrieved from http://www.adlerian.us/guid.htm