Alfred Adler Counselling Theory

 
Abstract
Counseling is a social science in which one undertakes a journey of self-exploration with the aim of increasing their level of self-awareness and self-understanding, usually with the help of a counselor. Counselling science in general relays the philosophy that every client has the answers to their problems, issues or dilemmas and it is the work of a therapist to make the answers to such problems explicit. A counselor achieves the goal of getting a client in touch with their inner self by forming a relationship based on a personal theory or philosophy adopted by the counselor. Whichever counseling approach used, a counselor must have a thorough knowledge of their theoretical orientation, have excellent communication and psychiatric skills as well as an understanding of the theory concerning the application. Alfred Adler Counseling Theory is one of the most common methods of counseling and, therefore, this research paper seeks to describe, analyze and reflect on the theory. The research will focus on the key concepts and techniques, examine the application to school counseling practice, analyze the limitations, outline cultural relevance and reflect on the key elements that practitioners apply to personal, professional practice.
            Key words: Alfred Adler counseling theory, description, concepts, techniques, analysis
 
Description of Alfred Adler Counselling Theory
            The pioneer of Adlerian psychology, Alfred Adler, began his career as an ophthalmologist in 1895 before developing an interest in the world of psychiatry in the early 1900s (Adler Graduate School, 2017). Adler was intrigued by Sigmund Freud’s theories of human behavior, which prompted Freud to invite Adler into his inner circle in 1907. The two founded psychoanalysis movement but later differed on theoretical approaches which motivated Adler to develop his emerging strategy known as Individual Psychology. The central theme of individual psychology, or Adlerian psychology, was a goal-oriented study of human behavior to understand a person’s character. Adler pushed for the institutionalization of his theory until it received admittance into The Society of Free Psychological Thought, hence the birth of Alfred Adler Counseling Theory or Adlerian Theory (Jones-Smith, 2011).
            The contextual development of Adlerian approach is the idea of a holistic personal growth where the counselor emphasizes on a person’s ability to accept and adapt to the feelings of inferiority or inadequacy with relation to others. According to Adler, senses of inadequacy are as a result of birth orders where a person was devalued at an early age and experienced physical humiliation leading to the lack of social empathy for other people (Jones-Smith, 2011). Adler developed the theory with the philosophy that a person is more responsive to the feeling of adequacy and self-respect when they are encouraged. Conversely, discouragement in a person’s journey of life breeds counter productivity characterized by defeat, competition, and withdrawal. According to Jones-Smith (2011), the Adlerian theory pays particular attention to a person’s belief systems and behavioral patterns formed during childhood.
 
Concepts of Alfred Adler Counseling Theory
            Adler believed that children associated their significance with their personal struggles and their family constellations. Jones-Smith (2011) writes that Adler also found that a counselor should not view a client as different parts of a whole but as a complete unity i.e. a holistic approach. To stress on the indivisibility of a person as a unit, Adler founded the theory of personality on the following concepts.
            Firstly, the Adlerian concept of Social Interest refers to an individual’s need to feel like part of a larger community so that they can develop a sense of belonging and contribution. The development of one’s unique character and emotions heavily depends on the relationship they have with the community. For example, if a child gains acceptance in the society, they develop the ability to empathize with others i.e. “to see with the eyes of another, to hear with the ears of another and to feel with the heart of another.” (Jones-Smith, 2011).
            The second concept of Adlerian psychology is Feelings of Inferiority. Adler was of the opinion that every human development journey begins with a sense of inadequacy or inferiority due to the dependence on others for survival. Inferiority complex is when a person views his abilities as less adequate compared to those of other individuals. For example, a child may consider himself less athletic or intelligent compared to his siblings. The result is a personal presentation of a weak character incapable of handling problems in the society. The feelings of inferiority should be used to propel growth and development (Jones-Smith, 2011).
            Thirdly, individuals try to compensate any feelings of inadequacy by striv