Adlerian Therapy, created by Alfred Adler, integrates ideas from cognitive, psychodynamic, and goal-oriented perspectives. It’s often referred to as individual psychology. This approach emphasizes collaboration and the importance of connections between clients and their environment. Continue reading to discover how to create an effective treatment plan for Adlerian Therapy, including an illustrative example.
What distinguishes Adlerian therapy from other therapeutic methods is its embrace of religion and spirituality. It acknowledges the significant impact that spirituality and/or religion can have on a person’s life, which adds to its distinctive nature.
Adler believed that personality formation starts early in life, even in infancy. One central idea in Adlerian Therapy is holism, which highlights the interplay between our thoughts, emotions, actions, and social relationships. This means that it is impossible to fully grasp one element without the others, reflecting their interrelatedness. The nine components contributing to this understanding include:
- Social interest
- Lifestyle
- Goal-directed and purposeful behavior
- Inferiority complex
- Striving for superiority
- Masculine protest
- Fictional finalism
- Family constellation
- Birth order
While Adlerian therapy can serve as a primary treatment, it is frequently utilized to complement other therapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic therapy, behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive psychotherapy.
Explore all of our Adlerian Therapy Worksheets
Besides adopting a holistic perspective on clients, another vital aspect of this approach is the belief that individuals are often driven to overcome feelings of inferiority by seeking social connections. Adlerian Therapy aims to foster a client’s sense of responsibility and purpose within their community, which can involve promoting empathy and collaboration with others.
Finally, Adlerian Therapy emphasizes looking forward rather than backward. Clients are encouraged to concentrate on their goals and dreams instead of fixating on past experiences. This forward-looking approach can help motivate positive changes in clients.
Establishing Goals and Objectives in an Adlerian Therapy Treatment Plan
Individual psychology is applicable to a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, gender equality, personality disorders, and family education.
As you begin to formulate your Adlerian Therapy treatment plan, it’s important to thoughtfully consider the goals and objectives you establish. These should be specific, realistic, and achievable based on your client’s current symptoms and overall functioning level.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to keep in mind some commonly applied interventions in Adlerian Therapy, such as lifestyle assessments, Socratic questioning, encouragement techniques, reframing, cognitive restructuring, acting “as if”, guided imagery, and role-playing.
Utilizing worksheets during therapy sessions can also be helpful. They serve as useful tools to direct therapy discussions and provide clients with take-home materials that reinforce what was explored during the session. TherapyByPro offers an extensive range of therapeutic worksheets for mental health professionals. Popular Adlerian Therapy Worksheets include:
Elements to Include in a Treatment Plan for Adlerian Therapy
The remainder of this article outlines how to develop an Adlerian Therapy treatment plan. The example plan will revolve around a fictional case and is guided by the Treatment Plan Template provided by TherapyByPro. Continue with John’s narrative:
John is a 35-year-old man, married with two children. He recently received a promotion at work, which has extended his working hours and raised his stress. John sought help because he feels disconnected from his family and the world, leading to sadness, irritability, poor concentration, fatigue, self-doubt, and social withdrawal. Historically, he participated in a weekly pool team but has been unable to do so since his promotion.
John also expressed that arguments with his wife have increased, and their intimate connection has diminished. He recognizes that the promotion and salary hike benefit his family, yet he fears that the increased work commitments may negatively impact them. Reflecting on his upbringing, John is troubled by the thought of replicating his father’s career-focused absence in his children’s lives.
Two months ago, John denied having mental health issues and did not seek professional support. He reports no medical problems and is not on any medications. John also denied the use of drugs or alcohol, explaining that he and his wife stopped drinking when they became parents to be more engaged and present in their children’s lives.
Involved Agencies and Care Coordination Plans
John reported being in good health and is not currently engaged with any other healthcare providers. Should this change, adjustments to the treatment plan may be necessary.
Example for John:
Care Coordination: None currently
Clinical Diagnoses
John meets the criteria for a major depressive disorder diagnosis. He revealed that his symptoms appeared two months ago, involving five of the symptoms linked to MDD. His experiences have led to significant distress and impairment across various life domains. The symptoms include:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
Example for John:
Clinical Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode, Moderate (296.32)
Current Medications and Responses
John denied any medical and“`html
John is currently not on any medications for his mental health issues. If he begins taking medications in the future, this section can be updated accordingly.
Example for John:
Current Medications: None currently
Presenting Issues and Associated Symptoms
In this section of the treatment plan, you’ll outline a case understanding that corresponds with the treatment approach. This should include John’s current symptoms, level of distress, and his relevant experiences.
Example for John:
John is a 35-year-old man, married with two children, who sought help on his own. He expressed feeling disconnected from his family and other important people in his life. He reported experiencing periods of sadness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and social withdrawal. For instance, he has stopped attending his weekly pool team since receiving a recent promotion at work.
John indicated that the recent promotion has resulted in longer hours and increased stress. He mentioned experiencing tension in his marriage, frequent conflicts, and a lack of intimacy with his wife. He is concerned about harming his family relationships because of the demands of his new job. While this promotion is financially advantageous, it has taken an emotional toll on him.
John shared that his father was largely absent during his childhood because of work commitments, and he fears he is repeating that pattern with his own children. This realization causes him significant sadness and distress.
He does not have a history of mental health issues or treatments and has no medical concerns or issues with substance use. John prioritizes his family and avoids alcohol to be fully present with his children. He denies any suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
John’s feelings of depression seem to stem from unfulfilled needs for connection and belonging in his relationships. Work-related stress intensifies feelings of inadequacy and exacerbates his depressive symptoms. Additionally, his childhood experiences shape his current anxieties and self-perception.
Goals and Objectives
John’s goals should be tailored directly to his current concerns and symptoms. They should be achievable, given his present circumstances, and in line with Adlerian Therapy principles.
Example for John:
Goal 1: Enhance self-awareness and understanding of personal beliefs
- Objective 1: Reflect on childhood experiences through guided discussions about family dynamics and early memories.
- Objective 2: Examine and challenge core beliefs that contribute to his feelings of inadequacy and depressive symptoms.
- Objective 3: Transform his personal narrative from one of self-defeat to one that fosters empowerment and self-worth.
Goal 2: Strengthen Social Connections and Enhance Sense of Belonging
- Objective 1: Initiate regular family activities to build stronger connections with his wife and children.
- Objective 2: Rejoin the pool league to reconnect with friends.
- Objective 3: Master effective communication skills to enhance workplace relationships.
Goal 3: Promote Personal Growth and Resilience
- Objective 1: Establish meaningful and achievable professional goals that reflect his core values.
- Objective 2: Employ self-compassion techniques to diminish perfectionistic tendencies.
- Objective 3: Implement problem-solving strategies to enhance confidence and effectively tackle challenges.
Specific Interventions to Be Implemented
This part of John’s treatment plan focuses on identifying Adlerian Therapy methods that can be utilized to assist with achieving his goals. You can note who will be responsible for carrying out each technique.
Example for John:
Intervention 1:
Investigate childhood memories to see how past experiences shape current beliefs.
Responsible person: Counselor A and John
Intervention 2:
Conduct a lifestyle assessment to uncover patterns and priorities in his life.
Responsible person: Counselor A
Intervention 3:
Use Socratic questioning to question and counteract irrational beliefs.
Responsible person: Counselor A
Intervention 4:
Role-play scenarios to enhance communication techniques.
Responsible person: Counselor A and John
Intervention 5:
Reframe negative self-perceptions towards more adaptive and constructive perspectives.
Responsible person: Counselor A and John
Involvement of Family
Currently, John would benefit from building a therapeutic relationship and addressing his immediate depressive symptoms. Couples counseling may be beneficial in the future to work on the issues affecting his relationship with his wife, including communication, unresolved conflicts, and intimacy.
Example for John:
Family Involvement: None at this moment
Additional Services and Options
You might suggest to John the advantages of joining a support group for depression. Such a group could provide him with connections to others facing similar emotional and psychological difficulties. However, he might be more open to the idea of couples therapy with his spouse. Adlerian Therapy emphasizes a collaborative treatment approach that values the relationship between client and counselor. Discussing which additional services he prefers is a way to embody this aspect of the therapy.
Example for John:
Additional Services: Consider discussing the option of a depression-focused support group
Timeframe for Completion
Adlerian therapy can range in length from a few weeks to several months. This adaptable method allows for treatment plans to be customized to meet the client’s evolving needs and progress. For John, we estimate that he will achieve his treatment goals within 12 sessions. If he requires further assistance, this
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The time frame can be adjusted if necessary.
Illustration for John:
Projected Duration for Therapy: 12 weekly individual sessions, roughly spanning 3 months
Aftercare Strategies
The aftercare segment of the treatment plan should outline resources for your client to access ongoing support, particularly in cases of early discharge. There are various reasons why treatment might terminate sooner than anticipated, making it essential to have a plan in place.
Illustration for John:
Aftercare Strategies: Consult with a primary care physician for a referral to a mental health specialist, and explore joining a depression support group
Concluding Remarks on Developing a Treatment Plan for Adlerian Therapy
We appreciate you taking the time to learn about creating a treatment plan for Adlerian Therapy using the TherapyByPro framework. Adlerian Therapy is designed to assist clients in discovering meaning and acceptance in their lives, which can alleviate psychological challenges. This method enables therapists to support clients as they navigate self-doubt and promotes their personal development and resilience.
If you are keen on delving deeper into this approach that advocates for active engagement in the client’s healing process, we recommend exploring continuing education and training options relevant to your profession.
TherapyByPro is an online directory for mental health services that links mental health professionals with those seeking assistance. Mental health practitioners can join our network and list their practices here. We provide assessments, practice documentation, and template worksheets that professionals can utilize to enhance their workflow. Check out our collection of mental health worksheets here.
Explore our Collection of Adlerian Therapy Worksheets
References:
- Cedeno, Rommy, and Tyler J. Torrico. “Adlerian Therapy.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 11 January 2024.
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