Adlerian Therapy Example Essay Example

justify;">However, Adler highlights that this calls for more than just expressing words of encouragement, but being creative in referring to the patient’s assets. In the example Sharf (2007) uses in his book, I also learned how treating a patient well can be a form of encouragement.

Another technique that I must remain conscious of is “avoiding the tar baby”. Sometimes, patients do things in order for others to confirm their self-perception. For example, if a child convinced of himself as naughty, he may continue to break rules to prompt his parents to call him naughty, only reaffirming this view. If I want to be successful in the first technique as well, I must avoid this trap.

The “catching oneself” method also seems effective. It is possible that patients are not able to change the bad habits that they have become accustomed to, because they do not notice when they are already doing them. Catching themselves in the act of doing that wrong action is the starting point of changing or stopping such habits.

Task setting and commitment is one more procedure that can be used in reorientation. I personally like this technique because of its action-oriented nature.

The patient and I will make tasks to be accomplished and use the patient’s endeavor as learning ground. I can put emphasis not only on the accomplishment of the task, but on the endeavor itself. This technique can help rid the patient of his hesitations on making commitments, and increase his self-esteem as well.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stein, H., & Edwards, M. (1998). Classical Adlerian theory and practice. In Psychoanalytic versions of the human

condition: Philosophies of life and their impact on practice. Retrieved June 4, 2009 from http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/theoprac.htm

Sharf, R. S. (2007). Chapter 4. Adlerian theory of therapy and counseling. In Theories of psychotherapy and counseling: concepts and cases, 127-139.