What is Adlerian Psychotherapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Adlerian Psychotherapy

Adlerian Psychotherapy stems from the ideas of Alfred Adler. Sometimes referred to as “Individual Psychology,” the underlying tenet of Adlerian Therapy is that individuals can positively change their lives.

Adler believed that people have feelings of inferiority. These feelings are positive for individuals with positive ways to cope with them. But they’re negative for those who don’t. When people feel encouraged to strive toward self-improvement due to feelings of inferiority, Adler stated, they contribute to a greater social good.

Adlerian Psychotherapy involves four distinct stages:

  1. Engagement – You and your therapist establish rapport and create a safe environment for you.
  2. Assessment – The therapist learns about your past and present. This stage helps them understand your life experiences and your thinking styles.
  3. Interpretation – The therapist suggests how past experiences color your way of thinking and how those might be helpful or not. You then decide if the therapist’s interpretations are useful.
  4. Reorientation – You test new strategies for ways of thinking and living that help move you toward self-improvement.

If you feel discouraged or inferior, often compare yourself to others, or want to strive for more, you may benefit from Adlerian Psychotherapy.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Adlerian Psychotherapy

Deborah Danner, Ph.D., LCPC, CADC, NCC

Rolling Meadows

Illinois

Deborah Danner has numerous certifications in trauma treatment and focuses sessions on helping you become more empowered in your life. She uses gentleness, honesty, and awareness to help previously ignored parts of you be heard. Patience and self-compassion are the centers of her therapy sessions. Her ultimate goal is to help you regain control of your life and love yourself.

Phil Lane, LCSW

Pennington

New Jersey

Phil is a passionate and devoted advocate for mental health. After studying English at the undergraduate level, he received his master’s degree in social work. As a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey, Phil aims to help clients through challenges and always approach therapy and the therapeutic relationship from a position of empathy and understanding. Phil believes that all clients…
Grow Your Mind Psychotherapy is a trauma-informed counseling services. We are specialized in treating adolescents and adults for different mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma and more! Our approach is compassionate, holistic, and person-centered. We use evidence-based intervention to help you unfold your strengths and support you on this healing journey! We are currently ac...
Hey! My goal as your therapist is to support and empower you to focus on your strengths in order to become the best version of yourself possible. I help my clients cope with the psychological and emotional difficulties that underlie our unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. I am multi-culturally trained to work with people from diverse backgrounds. I ensure that regardless of sex, race, orientation...
I treat a wide variety of symptomologies, including interpersonal and behavioral difficulties, depression and anxiety. I pride myself on being able to provide skills for immediate use while also utilizing an insight-based, client-centered approach for long term sustainable growth. This allows me to help individuals recognize both strengths and weaknesses and address the issues that are most...
Perhaps you have lost your balance in relationships or daily expectations, or experienced trauma that has paralyzed you from moving forward, or maybe you are expecting a loss or experienced loss. Or maybe you are a special needs parent who is overwhelmed. I believe the inevitable struggles we encounter in life allow us opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. Some...
If you are dealing with a relationship on the brink, have unresolved traumatic issues from your past, need help dealing with life in general, or face addiction obstacles, please call us. Our office offers individual, couple, and family therapy services, as well as therapy for those who suffer from or have loved ones dealing with addiction. College and career counseling for all ages is also offe...
I enjoy working with clients who are looking to explore and who are looking for someone to walk with them in their journey. Trauma and other life experiences can be overwhelming to handle on your own. These experiences can also feel lonely. It is important to me to support my clients in their therapeutic journey and to let them know they are not alone. I look to support clients who have...
( English | 中文 ) I offer mental health therapy for people of all backgrounds and age 5+. As human beings, we are in a constant state of transition and emergence into new selves. Meaning, just as we defined ourselves in the past, we can also choose to redefine ourselves now and in the future. No matter how you would like to begin your story, I am here to help you piece the puzzle together and ...