Running head: ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 1

Adlerian Theory in Group Counseling

Valeria D. Cantore B.S.

Troy University

Author Note

This paper corresponds to the Group theory – Research Paper published in Live Text for

CP 6642- Group Dynamics and Counseling on July of 2014.

The information content in the following pages was acquired from different resources in

order to provide accrued and simplified information to the readers. All the references may be

found at the end of the document in order to preserve the original author’s rights. Any concerns

do not hesitate to contact Valeria D. Cantore at vcantore@troy.edu

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Adlerian Group Counseling

Adlerian Theory Framework in Group Counseling

While Freud’s psychoanalytic approach predicts human’s biological instincts and sexual

repression as the cause of neurotic disorders, other theorists suggest different explanations for the

understanding of the human personality development. Instead, Alfred Adler proposed the

psychology of growth, in contrast and opposite of the classical psychoanalysis. Adler’s

viewpoint differs from the Freudian Psychoanalysis as; he contended that neurosis was the result

of the individual’s withdrawal from essential tasks in life, and focused on the person’s struggles

to become all they want to be. Another difference between the psychodynamic approaches with

the classical psychoanalysis is the studied population. Adler’s based his studies in social and

political relationships of the human being as part of a group (family), rather than focusing in a

neurotic population. On the other hand, Adlerian psychotherapy translates classical concepts into

practical methods in order to apply them with the purpose of helping a variety of populations and

at the same time, to encourage them to meet the different challenges that life offers to them,

(Corey, 2000).

According to the Adlerian vision, every single human being is born into a group, in

which there is a need to survive. Therefore, according to the relationships established at a very

early age, the child will develop helplessness that is parallel to inferiority feelings. Also, the

group would provide the child with feelings of belonging and interdependence, support, respect

between members, loyalty and respect. All these elements will accommodate to every new child

into the same group, promoting a different perception of the environment according to the birth

order and the interrelationship between family members and in defense of external forces as

well, (Sonstegard, Bitter & Pelonis, 2004). This is based on the premise that every single
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individual born into a social group is influenced by the rest of the members from which the

person receives and exchanges stimuli.

According to Hoffman (1994), Adler appears to have been the first psychiatrist to apply

systemic and group methods in child guidance. Therefore, he also worked by helping teachers to

support students and families into school setting. According to the theory, every person achieves

an equal social status motivated by their inner world views. However, the impact of the dominant

culture on the individual interactions are often represented by the reactions of those who do not

characterize well by the leading culture, in such cases; group therapy attends to clarify the

nature of interactions using the tools needed in order to improve common relationships. Group

therapy attempts to promote new opportunities to blend cultural factors and personal needs in

support of a democratic evolution of the society and in opposition to isolation with the purpose

of transform individual issues in collective concerns, (Sonstegard et al. 2004).

Adlerian Overview of the Individual

Adler’s social view of the person is explained by the human necessity of setting both

short-term and long-term goals, which influence to the behavioral development of the individual.

Adler’s theoretical approach stresses self-determination and consciousness; also, the approach is

based on decisions chosen by the client, the need to find meanings and the establishment of

goals. Furthermore, Adlerian practitioners play the role of educators, collaborators and

encouragers for the clients in the therapeutic process, (Fall, Holden, and Marquis, 2010).

Therefore, the individual’s behaviors can be understood only by taking a holistic methodology

which includes an overview of the person’s lifestyle and social perspective. Therefore everyone

develops personal characteristics during the childhood that compensate and at times overcome

inferiority feelings; these specific features distinguish the individual behaviors and decisions at

the time of pursuing goals. Because Adler’s theory is based on the need of overcoming
 ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 4

inferiority feelings in order to seek superior, the practical application attempts to teach people the

best way to come across challenges of life tasks by providing direction and encouragement,

(Corey, 2000).

Core aspects of Adlerian theoretical approach: 1. Holism: this terminology refers to the

view of the person as a unified whole which is indivisible. This concept means that the

individual is more than the sum of the parts which includes cultural aspects, birth order, gender,

social status, etc. 2. Teleology: aspect is based on the trend toward growth and expansion,

according to this vision the human being makes decisions according to past experiences, present

situation and future goals. 3. Phenomenology: it emphasizes the way that individuals perceived

the world in the widest aspect. 4. Creativity and choice: people are creative and strive toward

perfection and self-determination. 5. Social interest and community feelings: this embedded

positive interest toward others in the world. This theoretical approach equates social interest with

sense of identification and empathy with others (Corey, 2000). These aspects are crucial in the

practice of group counseling as; the general goals of group therapy are to; increase self-esteem,

interest in others, mistake assumptions, feeling equal to others and develop interest in others. 6.

Inferiority-Superiority: according to Adler, children experience inferiority at some point in their

growth; these feelings cannot be seen as negative, because they are the motor to overcome the

sense of self-worth in order to ascend towards superiority. 7. Role of the family: The Adlerian

approach emphasizes the role of the family constellation as a significant element in the

development of the individual personality and behaviors. Birth order, family atmosphere,

feminine or masculine guidelines, values, religion and role of the client in the family, among

others are essential elements to consider during the therapy. 8. Lifestyle: this implies the self-

concept in relationship with personal and social orientation towards the social living. The

perception of the world is attached to the aspects learned through family guidance. 9. Behavioral
 ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 5

disorders: these can be considered mistaken ways of living or incorrect goals or decisions taken

in life. According to this philosophy, the Adlerian approach based the therapy in education,

rather than the medical model, (Corey, 2000).

Role and Function of the Counselor

In contrast to the psychotherapy approach, the Adlerian counselor is free to express his or

her opinion to the client if it is beneficial for the client’s healing process. The therapeutic

relationship is based on the person to person relation and it is necessary to create an environment

based on empathy, commitment, trust and communication as well. Mosak (1998), designed an

outline in which it presents the following goals as essential elements in the relationship between

client and practitioner: fostering clients’ social interests, help the client to decrease inferiority

feelings, facilitating the needed elements to change mistaken aspects of their lives, motivate

them to change, encourage them to recognize equality among all people, and help them to being

contributing human beings. Furthermore, group counselors serve as models for the clients,

presenting to the group characteristics like self-confidence, courage, which at the same time

serve to encourage them to accept imperfections and sense of humor, among of others. On the

other hand, the counselor’s role is also to assert that participants are experts in their own lives

and should assume responsibilities for their decisions; a process that facilitates interpersonal

learning, group cohesiveness and individual growth as well, (Corey, 2000).

Adlerian Therapy in Groups Counseling

Adlerian group therapy starts from the assumption that the person is better understood in

their social environment. The most-used methods in group therapy are: discussion groups,

consulting, counseling, psychodrama, and group therapy, (Sweeney, 1989). Whether working

with children or adults, with the application of the Adlerian approach, participants are considered

as inherently equal, capable of assuming responsibility for their behaviors. Therefore participants
 ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 6

are individually understood in a holistic manner as social beings, competent for changing

unrealistic thoughts and dysfunctional behaviors, and able to being helped in the process of

giving sense of their lives, (Sweeney, 1989).

According to some researches, Adlerian therapy is useful since people’s conflicts are

identifiable as social, not only because the group is suitable to identify public maladjustment but

because the therapy modality challenges these behaviors offering corrective influences. Also,

inferiority feelings may be challenged to offset the negative concepts and values that form the

roots of social and emotional issues, (Corey, 2000). On the other hand, group therapy facilitates

the social framework in which the participants may develop the sense of belonging and

community. According to Dinkmeyer (1987), group participants bring to the therapy their

interpersonal issues, community meaning and in order to help them in the most appropriate

manner it is required for the therapist complete awareness of their socio-cultural framework to

understand their goal settings. According to him, some of the therapeutic factors are: the

identification between group members’ behavior, participants can beneficial from others group

members’ feedback, capability to help other and receive assistance from others participants.

Furthermore, the group facilitates the possibility of trying new behaviors, and encourages the

members to take action over their lives.

There are four stages in group therapy that correspond to four goals in counseling: 1.

Establishing and maintaining cohesive relationships with members: the therapy is based on the

idea of equality between members, mutual respect and identical involvement. The introduction of

democratic bases from the facilitator, who is the participant mediator, is very valid. Both,

members and therapist work together in the process to explore and look for change during the

sessions, (Corey, 2000).

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2. Analysis and assessment: as the individual’s lifestyle and goals are more evident

during the therapeutic process; the facilitator might explore participants’ functioning in the

society. According to this theory approach, the counselor must assess clients through techniques

like: early recollections, family constellation, birth order, relationship difficulties, dreams and

goals as well. According to Mosak (1998), during the recollection of information, the counselor

will find some of the most common mistakes made by clients. These are generalizations, false or

impossible goals of security, misperception of life, minimizations of the facts and defective

values. During this stage the counselor must integrate and summarize the data collected and

analyze the mistaken notions of the individuals in order to help them to set rational goals.

3. Awareness and insight: according to this approach, insight is the only step to achieve

change. Group sessions are more effective to reach self-awareness than individual therapy. This

is because the interaction between members and feedbacks to each other’s facilitate the process

to recognize equality and social connection. Furthermore, the group members learn how to

explore into their own goals, mistakes, and lifestyle. It is common to find some grade of

resistance to change that at the same time, it could be overcome by mutual motivation between

participants. In order to facilitate the insight process, the therapist must explore with the group,

feelings through the use of techniques as open-ended sharing that encourage the group members

to respond to certain statements with a new understanding of themselves. This technique helps

the group to develop fresh and constructive concepts about themselves, (Corey, 2000).

4. Reorientation and reeducation: this happens at the end of the group process, when

both, leaders and participants working to challenge mistaken beliefs about self and others.

During this stage, participants are encouraged to take action in concordance with the lessons

learned within the group. Although, encouragement is important in all stages, during the

reorientation, is essential to enforce encouragement in the group in order for the participants to
 ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 8

start experiencing their own inner resources, to empower themselves and to choose according to

the interests that they consider more appropriate in their lives. Therefore encouragement is

necessary for the foundation of support by removing social distances and reducing the risk of

self-disclosure. Furthermore, it serves for the members to accept themselves and find their own

place in the world, (Sonstergard et al. 2004). The main goal of this last stage is to help the

individuals to translate their insights into the creation of new actions; this is if the participants

believe in change, then they must be willing to set tasks to achieve.

Multicultural Populations

Adlerian approach is also called individual psychology as it focuses on the person within

the environment with the purpose of helping them to find the meaning in their lives. The

approach stresses social connectedness creating the need of establishing relationships with the

community; also, it emphasizes the role of the family as first cell of the community. This

meaning of relationship is extended to all cultural and ethnic groups, beliefs and values. Adlerian

foundations are based on the sense of common healing, and to achieve this task, it uses:

democratic leadership, attempts to achieve status, power, superiority, address individual needs

for contributing towards social welfare, problem solving, acceptance, tolerance of differences

and mutual respect. Likewise, the Adlerian approach attempts to be flexible to the needs of the

particular work group in order to adapt goals, setting, and encouraging group unification by

using strategies to empower diverse group and individuals as well, (Corey, 2000).

Theory Limitations

Leaders of some types of structured groups might have difficulties at the moment of

implementing some procedures to understand the lifestyle of the client and show them how early

experiences can affect their choices and current functioning. Furthermore, short-term groups

might find difficult the appreciation of childhood exploration through the comprehensive
 ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 9

assessment. On the other hand, there is the need of extensive training in the Adlerian approach in

order not to make mistakes related to the interpretation of the individual’s dynamics such as birth

order and family constellation as well. Finally, this approach is considered one of the most

integrative than other traditional models, however; the model is criticized because of a potential

stagnation, as there are no major modifications in techniques and procedures during the last

decades, (Corey, 2000).

ADLERIAN THEORY IN GROUP COUNSELING 10

References

Bitter, J. (2011). Contributions to Adlerian Psychology. Xlibris Corp. USA.

ISBN: 978-1-4628-9311-9

Corey, G. (2000). Theory and practice of group counseling. Fifth Ed. Thompson Learning.

Belmont: CA.

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. 9th Edition. Cengage

Learning. Belmont. CA. ISBN: 81-315-1898-1

Corey, G. & Corey, M. (2006). Groups process and practice. Seventh Ed. Thompson Higher

Education. Belmont: CA.

DeLucia-Waack, J., Kalodner, G. & Riva M. (2004). Handbook of group counseling and

psychotherapy. Second Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Dinkmeyer, D. (1987). Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy. Second Ed. Merrill Pub Co

ISBN-13: 978-0-675-20614-3, ISBN: 0-675-20614-6

Fall, K., Holden, J. & Marquis, A. (2010). Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy.

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Hoffman, E. (1994). The drive of self: Alfred Adler and the founding of the individual

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9780875814179

Sonstegard, M. A., Bitter, J. R. & Pelonis, P. (2004). Adlerian group counseling and therapy:

Step-by-Step. Brunner – Routledge. New York: NY.

Stein, H. & Edwards, M. (2000). Classical Adlerian theory and practice. Online document.

Retrieved on 4/14/2014 from http://edwardpierce.net/super/adler_th.htm

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Development Inc. Indiana: IN.