What is Adlerian Psychotherapy?

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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

Robyn L Lowery

Charlotte

North Carolina

At Sanctuary Counseling Group, we believe in creating therapeutic relationships with our clients that promote the healing of heart, mind & soul. Becoming a parent can be an exciting time, filled with hope and plans for the future. Yet, what often goes unspoken is how common feelings of fear, doubt & uncertainty will be. I enjoy collaborating with pregnant & postpartum women & their families on...

Carolyn Leach

Chicago

Illinois

My primary goal is to make you feel heard, seen, and understood. I help my clients tap into the resources and resiliency they already have to figure out how they can support themselves and ask for support from others. I work in a collaborative way with you to determine how you want to dig in with therapy and what works for you. You will learn to harness your existing strengths towards achieving...
Libby is an Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She holds a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an additional masters in Addiction Counseling. Libby sees children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly....
Dr. Green is an award winning psychologist and a nationally recognized researcher. She is a Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience at Cornell College and the Director of the Cornell College Eating Disorder Institute In her part-time private practice, Dr. Green treats clients with a variety of presenting concerns including eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, substance...
Everyone can benefit from therapy. At Awaken we want to understand your goals and help you reach them. Therapy is a deeply personal and unique experience and we treat it as such. We work to understand your needs, family and life circumstances to best help you reach your best level of functioning and fulfillment. I will strive to understand your specific life goals and goals for therapy. After...

DeAnne Hart

Austin

Texas

Do you have a child that is feeling anxious? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Not sure where to turn? Life can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes scary. I would love to work with your child to find the positives in life, listening to each unique situation with compassion, understanding, and without judgement. Together we will create a plan to help him/her/them move forward and enjoy the moments. I a...
Throughout life, we are faced with many challenges...some more severe than others, some harder to overcome, and some which we ignore for the moment. When we choose not to face our challenges, it can negatively impact our true being. My experience includes working with those struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief and loss, substance abuse, trauma, parent-child...
Are sadness, frustration, insecurity, relationship struggles, stress or a painful past keeping you from happiness, success and satisfaction in your life? Are your own unhelpful thoughts, perspectives and behaviors? I can help. I have enjoyed helping people of various ages, ethic, spiritual, and economic backgrounds and diverse sexual/gender orientations/ presentations live peaceful, effective a...
Founded on a person-centered approach, I believe that the professional relationship is a large part of the therapeutic work. Although I integrate several evidence-based modalities including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, somatic, psycho-dynamic, & motivational interviewing interventions, I welcome any presentation for both adults as well as youth. I specialize in trauma & chronic or severe...

Kelly Lehman

Wilmington

North Carolina

I view my clients as the drivers in their therapy, and I am a passenger. While I may be holding the GPS, it is ultimately the client who makes the decisions related to their life. I may give a few nudges along the way, but I don't force or push anyone to go in a direction he or she isn't willing to go. We will go at a pace the client is comfortable with. I help clients to process and grieve the...
I am an Associate Licensed Counselor in Alabama who provides in office and virtual counseling. I am an independent nationally certified counselor who has experience working with children, families and adults. I am experienced in rehabilitation, adverse childhood events, school issues for children, crisis intervention and trauma. I employ an eclectic mix of modalities to meet each client's uniqu...

Stacia Elizabeth Littlefield

Colorado Springs

Colorado

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" (Anais Nin). You know when it's time to make a change - whether the struggle is depression, anxiety, past trauma, or perhaps a painful relationship - there comes a tipping point when you are ready to make that first step toward hope. As a trained trauma-focused clinician, I love meeting...
People often want to discuss their anxiety and stress related to life transitions, or the concerns they have about coping in ways that no longer work or that have become problematic. They often want to talk with a caring professional who can help them understand what they are going through and why. Some may want to learn new strategies for coping, and at times, find the motivation to change som...

Sasha C Pinson

San Antonio

Texas

"We often delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit to the changes it has gone through to achieve such beauty"- Maya Angelou. In counseling, I am prepared to work together and be by your side to maximize your quality of life through counseling. My belief is, it is best to let the client lead the therapeutic journey as we work together to help attain personal growth. I enjoy workin...
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families in both community mental health centers and school settings. I take on a holistic and relational treatment approach in my practice, utilizing evidenced-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Strength Based, Family...