Holism

• Contrasts with a reductionist view
•  A part is never understood by itself.
•  A whole is more than the sum of the parts.
•  We always look for patterns into which the details will fit. (we can perceive the design of a mosaic without separating the pieces)

  Adlerian Counseling Techniques from Bowie State University

  
  "Unfortunately, many value-free therapeutic approaches relieve personal distress, but reinforce self-centeredness. Classical Adlerian psychotherapy, with its emphasis on social equality, mutual respect, cooperation, responsibility, and contribution, provides the means of re-vitalizing democracy by addressing the core of problem--correcting undemocratic character structures.” http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/relevanc.htm

  "In Adlerian psychotherapy, clients are encouraged to overcome their feelings of insecurity, develop deeper feelings of connectedness, and to redirect their striving for significance into more socially beneficial directions.  Through a respectful Socratic dialogue, they are challenged to correct mistaken assumptions, attitudes, behaviors and feelings about themselves and the world.  Constant encouragement stimulates clients to attempt what was previously felt as impossible.  The growth of confidence, pride, and gratification leads to a greater desire and ability to cooperate.  The objective of therapy is to replace exaggerated self-protection, self-enhancement, and self-indulgence with courageous social contribution." ( from: http://www.strisik.com/therapy/approaches.htm )

  
  
  
  Alfred Adler's (1870 - 1937) contributions are based on the need to understand individuals within their social context. As early as 1900, he began addressing such crucial concepts and issues as equality in relationships, parent education, the influence of family constellation, life style, and the holism of individuals. Adler was commissioned to develop child guidance centers and thousands of teachers were trained through demonstrations and lectures. He had a strong commitment to education and to the training of teachers, believing that teachers were among the most influential professionals in society.
  Adler developed his social psychological, developmental, cognitive personality theory between 1911 and 1937. Central to his theory is the individual as a unitary, goal directed and creative self. According to Adler, a person not only reacts to the environment in a unitary manner, but also the mind and body is interrelated in its function. Individual's need to belong, to feel connected to others and to contribute to the greater good of the community. Adlerian theory recognizes humans are influenced by their social setting and that their characteristics are developed within this social context and importantly, that all behavior has a purpose.

   

   A person's short term goals are congruent with and in line with, his or her long term goals. The goals are an integrating factor in a person's Life Style, which is an individual's cognitive map for dealing with life, and is a person's law of movement. We have a choice in formulating goals even considering our heredity and environment. It is not what we are born with, but what we do with it. Each person has a creative, inventive power which aids him or her in setting a path in life. Adlerian Psychology is optimistic in that as individuals we can make choices and thus are able to change if we choose.
  
  

  Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs, a follower of Adler, took over and expanded the centers even more. Out of these beginnings: Children the Challenge, Maintaining Sanity in the Classroom, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), Systematic Training for Effective Teaching (STET) and Co-operative Discipline were developed. These programs are now used world-wide because of their practical ability to help people achieve more harmonious relationships."
  (source: Adler Psychology Association of BC and Adler School of Professional Psychology,BC.
  "This mistaken idea of the importance of mistakes leads us to a mistaken concept of ourselves. We become overly impressed by everything that is wrong in us and around us. To be human does not mean to be right, does not mean to be perfect. To be human means to be useful, to make contributions - not for oneself, but for others - to take what there is and make the best out of it.”  - Rudolf Dreikurs (from Terner, J., & Pew, W. L. The Courage to be Imperfect: The Life and Work of Rudolf Dreikurs. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1978.)

  Interesting Web Sites and Articles on Adlerian Psychology:

  • Dr. Henry Stein's Classical Adlerian Psychology Site: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hstein/
  • John Newbauer's What is an 'Adlerian'? http://www.indpsych.com/what_adlerian.htm
  • A Tribute to Alfred Adler by Dr. Paul Durbin www.durbinhypnosis.com/adler.htm
  • Ferdinand Tonnies on Community (Gesellschaft-Gemeinschaft)

     

    Adlerian Resources & Links

    Positive Parenting & Positive Teaching Resources For Parents & Teachers

     

    On Parenting: Govern a family as you would a small fish – very gently.  ~ Chinese proverb It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.  ~ Frederick Douglass

    ---

     ADLERIAN EVENTS CALENDAR

     (Click here for NASAP'S List of Professional Development Courses) 

    Upcoming and Recent Events:

    • Save the Date! MAPS Fall Conference: Embracing Cultural Differences: Strengthening Clinical Practice and Parent Education September 29, 2006 at AFI Silver Theater Silver Spring, MD
    • Summer PEP Classes offered in the metropolitan DC area (Parent Encouragement Program)
    • NASAP 2006:May 23-25, 2006 - The 54th Annual NASAP Conference held in Chicago, Illinois.
    • ICASSI 2006 July 16-28, 2006 - International Conference of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes summer program in Oberstaufen, Germany

      Past MAPS Events:

    • MAPS 2006 Winter Coffeehouse, January 29, 2006: “Laughter: Bridge over Troubled Waters” presented by Dr. Robert McBrien. (Listen to presentation here)
    • MAPS 2005 Fall Conference, September 30, 2005:  "Brief Couples Therapy" with Jon Carlson (Download a Flyer (MS-Word) or the Brochure Outside (pdf) or Brochure Inside (pdf))
    • MAPS 2004 Fall Conference: “From Family Therapy to Family Meetings - Helping Families Helping Themselves” with Dr. James Bitter.   Conference Handouts and Pictures
    • MAPS 2002 Spring Conference - March 16, 2002 Adlerian Psychology in Action featuring Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott.  Photos here  

      ---

       

       Join MAPS!

      • Print the MAPS Membership Form and mail it to:

      MAPS  -  c/o Parent Encouragement Program

      10100 Connecticut Ave.

      Kensington,MD 20895

      Tel: 301-929-8824  .  Fax: 301-929-8834

      • Let's Stay Connected! Join MAPS Members Email Group:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adler-MAPS
        Click to join Adler-MAPS
      • Write to us: info@Adler-MAPS.comMAPS Constitution Adopted November 14, 1981: Download as HTML or MS Word

        MAPS is an affiliate member of NASAP.

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                or                                                                                                                                                                                                                         or                                                                                                                                                                                                                         or