Adlerian therapy is a type of psychotherapy. It emphasizes the importance of overcoming feelings of inferiority in order to gain a sense of belonging and achieve success and happiness.

Also known as individual psychology or Adlerian psychotherapy, Adlerian therapy is based on the theories of Austrian psychiatrist Dr Alfred Adler.

It is a psychoeducational approach that is both humanistic and goal-oriented. Adlerian therapy emphasizes an individual’s strivings for success, connections with others, and contributions to society as being hallmarks of mental health.

Rather than concentrating on specific symptoms or diagnoses, Adlerian therapy suggests that by focusing on these areas, a person can achieve personal growth and resolve psychological issues.

This article explores Adlerian therapy in more detail, including how it works and its benefits and limitations. It also discusses how someone can find a therapist.

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Adlerian therapy is a psychological approach that stresses the need to understand an individual’s lifestyle, social influences, and drive for personal goals.

Adlerian therapy was developed by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. He believed that individuals have a desire to overcome feelings of inferiority, create meaningful connections, and contribute to society.

Adler suggests that when people feel encouragement, they feel capable and act in a positive and cooperative way. Conversely, he suggests that when a person experiences discouragement, they may act in unhealthy ways by competing or withdrawing.

Therefore, Adlerian therapy suggests that expressing encouragement and social interest may help a person feel optimism and fulfillment.

Many consider Adler to be one of the big three founders of psychotherapy, alongside Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Adler founded the Association of Individual Psychology and put forward the personality theory known as individual psychology.

This type of psychology derives from the Latin “individuum”, which means indivisible. This theory suggests that it is better to understand people as a whole and not as a collection of parts. As such, this type of therapy aims to understand a person’s uniqueness and personality to discern how they proceed in life.

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Adlerian therapy focuses on understanding how early life experiences can shape a person’s view of self, others, and the world. As such, these experiences can influence a person’s behaviors and goals throughout life.

A person can work together with an Adlerian therapist to uncover and shift patterns that may hinder progress or cause emotional distress. To do this, Adlerian therapy features four main stages or phases:

Engagement

The first stage of Adlerian therapy involves establishing a therapeutic relationship. The therapist will build a trusting and respectful relationship with an individual to ensure they feel heard and understood. This collaborative nature will allow for open communications and mutual respect.

Assessment

The therapist will then explore the individual’s lifestyle and early life experiences. This will include gathering information on a person’s family background, social experiences, early childhood memories, and lifestyle patterns. This can help the therapist to understand the potential root cause of emotional or behavioral issues.

Insight

This stage involves the therapist helping a person see their situation differently. The therapist helps a person gain insight as to how certain patterns and experiences could shape their current behaviors and attitudes. This can involve addressing core beliefs, mistaken goals, and feelings of inferiority.

Reorientation

Also known as reeducation, this phase involves the therapist providing activities that a person can perform outside of therapy. This may involve setting achievable goals and developing healthier behaviors. This stage emphasizes personal responsibility, social interest, and fostering a sense of competence.

As with any form of psychotherapy, Adlerian therapy may help with challenges and symptoms relating to mental health and emotions.

In particular, Adlerian therapy takes a holistic approach and looks at the person as a whole rather than focusing on specific symptoms or problems. This may help someone to achieve deeper and longer-lasting change. It also notes the importance of community and social interactions to help promote individual growth.

It also emphasizes encouragement and the role it plays in working toward personal goals. As such, it can help people to overcome feelings of insecurity or inferiority. In turn, this can help a person regain their sense of self, adjust to changes, and find the social support they require to thrive.

Although Adlerian therapy may be helpful for some people, it may not be suitable for everyone. Certain aspects of Adlerian therapy may be difficult or challenging for some individuals.

For example, it involves exploring and confronting memories, some of which may be painful or upsetting. It is also necessary for a person to critically assess their current behaviors and how this may be preventing them from achieving their goals. After identifying these behaviors, a person must actively work to change these patterns.

Adlerian therapy can also be time consuming and requires active participation from the person receiving therapy. As such, individuals who are not open to introspection or who are resistant to change may find Adlerian therapy less effective.

Some people may also prefer a more directive or symptom-focused approach, as Adlerian therapy does not help diagnose mental health conditions and is not a specific treatment for any disorders. Additionally, while Adlerian therapy is influential and widely respected, it does not have a large body of research or clinical trials supporting its use.

Finding a therapist with licensing and training in Adlerian psychology may involve a few steps.

A person can search for Adlerian associations, such as the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP). Generally, these associations will have a directory of certified Adlerian therapists, and a person can check a therapist’s credentials. For example, NASAP notes that Adlerian therapists must earn a minimum of a master’s degree, as well as meet additional needs such as completing Adlerian-based programs or Adlerian-orientated publications.

After identifying a therapist, a person can contact them and inquire about their experience and approaches. They can also read reviews and testimonials about the therapist.

If a person is seeking therapy through health insurance, it is advisable to check with their provider which therapists in the network may have training in Adlerian therapy.

Adlerian therapy is a type of psychotherapy developed by Austrian psychologist Dr Alfred Adler. It focuses on early influences, personal goals, and the desire to belong. Proponents suggest that this type of therapy can foster meaningful, long-term changes.

However, in order for Adlerian therapy to be effective, a person may need to explore potentially upsetting memories and be open to introspection. While Adlerian therapy can be effective for some people, there is not a large amount of research supporting its use, and it is not a treatment for any specific mental health conditions.