The Adlerian Theory is based on the theory by Alfred Adler who points on different aspects of psychology. Alfred Adler pointed out on the essence of having a concern for others and placed an emphasis on family dynamics, one’s social interests, and the influence of early memories on one’s life. The approach was based on different factors such as one’s beliefs and fictions, lifestyle, the psychological environment, and how one could realize completeness and wholeness. The Adlerian Theory has been beneficial and has been applied in therapy to realize positive outcomes. However, like any other theory, the Adlerian theory has its flaws. This paper analyzes the Adlerian Theory by considering its benefits and limitations and considering the usefulness of operating with the framework.
Benefits
One of the key strengths of the theory is that it has a strong emphasis on positive psychology through the use of encouragement and empowerment. According to Watts & Ergüner-Tekinalp (2017), the theory has a contemporary relevance to modern contemporary psychological thinking and can thus be applied in positive psychology. One of the reasons why the theory is likeable is because the individual that goes through the therapy would receive a significant amount of positive encouragement. By focusing on strong encouragement, one can grow their personal strengths and alter their perceptions so as to fit into the community.
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Another strength of the therapy is that it is a style that focuses on how one can integrate better to the community. The theory emphasizes one’s family history and observes how one can become a functioning member of the family and the community as a whole. The reorientation aspect of the theory also emphasizes on how one can return to the general society and community life through the use of their past responses and perspectives. The approach where the theory focuses on having people alter their perceptions and fit better into their own communities can be used to realize betterment of the individual and the society as a whole.
The theory also emphasizes on empathy and empathetic understanding. Clark (2016) observes that such an empathetic understanding is an integral part of the lives of people and is critical in the process of psychotherapy and counseling. There are various aspects of the empathy observed through subjective, interpersonal, and objective empathy that are used to realize effectiveness in counseling. Such an empathy is created by focusing on engagement where the patient and the therapist develop a trusting relationship.
Limitations
One of the limitations of the theory is that it does not have a strong supportive research base. Miller and Dillman (2016) explored the theory and its scientific basis through a neuroscientific lens. The authors observed that while the theory had supporting principles, it could be improved through the integration of neuroscience-informed development theory and interventions. The theory is thus dislikable because some of the concepts are somewhat unclear since Adler was vague in the approach when working with clients. The approach is however being clarified by many that use it as a general approach to therapy.
The application of the theory means that the process of therapy would take time. This may not be ideal for individuals that would prefer a form of therapy that is brief and offers a quick solution to some of their concerns. Additionally, the theory focuses on an extensive exploration of one’s childhood and family history. People that would be reserved and may not wish to explore their childhood or family history may thus find the approach uncomfortable. The theory can also be challenging to use by both the counselor and the patient because it requires concrete and critical thinkers. It would be challenging to apply it in individuals that have lower-functioning clients.
Usefulness
Despite the apparent limitations that are inherent with the theory, it can be useful in different instances. Savickas (2019) observes that the theory has a critical application in career-style canceling. This can be realized through a gaining data to understand the client’s career style and using the data to make informed decisions about the specific career style that would work. The theory can also be used in different types of therapies and scenarios. For instance, it can be applied in play therapy, art therapy, talk therapy, and in group and couple’s therapy scenario. This means that the therapy is appropriate for an individual in any age group. Perryman and Portie-Bethke (2017) observe that the theory is thus applicable in enhancing a parent-adolescent relationship. By applying the Adventure-Based Counseling (ABC) activities, one can understand the reasons of misbehavior, relationship interconnectedness, and any communication problems. Therefore, the application of the theory spans several disciplines and areas of practice.
Conclusion
The analysis of Adlerian Theory revealed that it has several benefits, limitations, and usefulness. One of the key strengths that was identified was that the theory focused on positive psychology through encouragement and empowerment. The theory was also based on building a trusting relationship with the patient and this ensured that application of empathy and empathetic understanding. By ensuring a proper integration to the community, the theory is beneficial for both the individual and the society. However, one of the limitations that was observed with the theory was that it lacked a strong supportive research, its application took time, and would be challenging to apply in individuals that may not want to explore their childhood. Despite these challenges, the theory was still beneficial because it could be applied in career counseling and parent-adolescent counseling.
References
Clark, A. J. (2016). Empathy and Alfred Adler: An integral perspective. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 72(4), 237-253.
Miller, R., & Dillman, T., D. (2016). Does Adlerian theory stand the test of time?: Examining individual psychology from a neuroscience perspective. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 55(2), 111-128.
Perryman, K. L., & Portrie-Bethke, T. L. (2017). Improving the Parent–Adolescent Relationship With Adventure-Based Counseling: An Adlerian Perspective.
Savickas, M. L. (2019). Career-style counseling. In Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy (pp. 201-225). Routledge.
Watts, R. E., & Ergüner-Tekinalp, B. (2017). Positive psychology: A neo-Adlerian perspective. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 73(4), 328-337.
