by Paul G. Durbin, PhD
THE FOUR PHASES OF ADLERIAN COUNSELING ARE:
(1) the relationship,
(2) the investigation of dynamics,
(3) interpretation of the client,
(4) reoinentation.
Adler departed from Freud's method of having the client recline on a couch while the therapist sits behind. Adler preferred to face the client so he could see the client's responses and body movement. He wanted to engage in free discussion with the client. The relationship with the client which the Adlerian seeks to establish is one of friendliness and cooperation.
The investigation aspects explores the current life situation as it is viewed by the client to include his complaints, problems and symptoms. The client's early life and position in the family constellation are discussed. Adler believed that the order of birth is an important determiner of personality. The first born is given a great deal of attention until the second child is born and the first is dethroned. The dethroning experience may affect the child in a number of ways such as protecting himself from reversals, hatred for the second child, conservatism, insecurity, or it may cause him to develop a striving to protect others and be a helper.
The second child is in a different situation for he shares attention from the beginning which may cause him to be more cooperative or competitive. He may strive to catch and surpass the older child. All other children are dethroned but never the youngest, who is often spoiled. He may strive to overcome all the others. Adler used the Biblical story of Joseph who was the favorite of his father and the smartest of all his other children to illustrate that striving. It is true that Joseph had a younger brother, but he was 17 years younger than Joseph.
Some favorite questions of Adler were, "And why do you feel like that?" "What purpose does your illness serve?" "What do you think is the reason for your reacting that way?" The interpretation puts an emphasis on the goal and life style of the client. The mirror technique is used whereby the individual looks at himself.
During the reorientation stage, the client is encouraged to drop the old style of life and take up another. The new life style will be such as to help him deal with the realities of life and receive satisfaction from living.
Adler compares the client with a person who is caught in a dark room and cannot find an exit. The therapist helps the client illuminate the room so that she can find a way out to a new way of dealing with the problem. Adler wrote, "Every individual represents both a unity of personality and the individual who fashions that unity. The individual is thus both the picture and the artist." Therefore if one can change his concept of himself, he can change the picture he is painting.
Adler had very little to say about hypnosis, but what little he did say indicated that he did not understand the clinical possibilities of hypnosis. He recognized that no one could be hypnotized against his will, but felt that the individual who allowed himself to be hypnotized place himself under the power of the hypnotist.
BEVERLY'S CASE HISTORY: Beverly was in the hospital for a skin graft to cover a large scar on her left leg. She was very self conscious about the scar and felt that people stared at her leg. I was consulted to work with her for pain management and self-esteem. Beverly was an illegitimate child who was raised by her grandparents. She said "I had the hurts and accidents of childhood, but my grandparents were always there to show me love." Beverly had a very close friend, Kay, who was "like a sister." It was Kay who told her about sex and to whom she went to for sexual advice. Beverly had not been given any instructions concerning menstruation, so she was very frightened when she first stated at age 11. Kay told her what was happening and then everything was all right.
As she began to develop sexually, she felt good because she wanted to catch up with Kay who was two years her senior. "She was like a sister and I wanted to keep up with her. As she devloped, she thought, 'Great now I am catching up with Kay, everyone will be proud of me." This is in line with Adler's view that the younger child wants to catch up with the older child.
Following high school, Beverly joined the army and spent four years on active duty. Shortly after she was released from the army she had an accident on a bicycle which was the cause of the large scar on her leg.
To help her cope with pain and increase her self-esteem, I used several techniques and scripts while counseling Beverly. Beverly was a visual person with a slight dominance for indirect suggestibility.
SETTING SUN FOR TRANQUILITY AND HEALING: See (If person was not visual, I would use "imagine") yourself sitting on a tropical beech at sunset. Notice the bright sun as it descends on the far horizon. See the colors begin to change from orange to crimson, and then to a deep, red-orange. Notice that as the sun approaches the water, there actually seems to be two suns, one in the sky and the other in the water. See the sun gradually sink into the ocean. See the colors change from red to purple and then to blue. Notice the magical stillness that pervades everything just at sunset when the ocean is as smooth as glass. Enjoy the delicious feeling of tranquility...
The subconscious mind knows how to maintain its own healthy blood chemistry, and maintain the necessary hormonal and chemical components for a healthy functioning mind and body. And in similar fashion, the subconscious mind is maintaining an immune system effortlessly, And in every way, mind, spirit and body working for health, healing maintenance of healthy functioning. And somehow knowing of these inner resources; the strength, the growth, the healing, the life force, making everything easier. Day by day in every way, you are getting better and better, healthier and healthier.
BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM: You are feeling relaxed and peaceful. As you are relaxed and peaceful, you feel good about yourself. This good feeling is an experience you enjoy. You like the way you look, the way you feel. You feel good-now, you feel safe-now, you feel healthy-now. You enjoy life-now. Your self-esteem, self-confidence, self-acceptance is increasing with each breath you take. Everyday you become emotionally calmer, stabler, settled. You realize that you are becoming the person you want to be. Hold this good image of yourself and allow it to sink into your subconscious, so that you have a model to work with.
Beverly now feels good about herself and has a life style that is undergirded with social interest. As she has a concern for others as well as herself, I feel that she will have a very satisfying life. Beverly is basically as well adjusted person who can function well in society.
ALFRED ADLER'S: BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Adler, A. (1969). Individual Psychology. Littlefield and Adams. Totowa, N.J.
Adler, A. (1964). Problems Of Neurosis. Harper Tourchbook. N.Y.
Adler, A. (1964). Social Interest. Capricorn Book. N.Y.
Adler, A. (1973). Superiority And Social Interest. Viking Compass Book. N.Y.
Adler, A. (1954). Understanding Human Nature. Faucet. Greenwich, CT
For more information visit www.durbinhypnosis.com.
Posted: 11/30/2009
