Adlerian Therapy Case Study

Depression, depression is greater than just the feeling of sadness. Individuals with depression may experience an absence of interest, pleasure in daily activities, significant, lack of energy, inability to concentrate, and feelings of insignificance or unnecessary culpability. These symptoms are present in Mitchell. Mitchell is a sixteen year old in high school with a desire not to live anymore. Despite feeling these immense sadness, he doesn’t have thoughts of committing suicide. His routine consists of the same day to day activity of attending high school. Although Mitchell attends school, he does not relish the activity. Yet he recognizes that college would be the appropriate next step in his life and is looking towards it with dread. Nevertheless
113) Mitchell and I have established a relationship already, he has recognized his personal issues and he is willing to explore some options in order to change. Adlerian therapy is all about the client being able to recognized their issues and them willingly wanting to change. Phase 2 of the Adlerian therapy is explore the individual’s psychological dynamics which means, “to get deeper understanding of an individual’s lifestyle. During this assessment phase, the focus is on the individual’s social and cultural context.” (Corey & Bitter, 2012, p. 114) Phase 2 helps the counselor get a deeper understanding of Mitchell’s lifestyle. Mitchell does not like to go to school but go’s because he knows that if he does not finish highschool he will then not be able to attend college. As the counselor I know the surface problem but I have to dig deep and find out why Mitchell dislikes school and if he dislikes it so much why is he taking on so much work. Phase 3, encourage self-understanding and insight means, “Adlerian therapists interpret the findings of the assessment as an avenue for promoting self-understanding and insight.” (Corey & Bitter, 2012, p. 117) Insight is defined as, “understanding translated into constructive action” (Corey & Bitter, 2012, p. 117) Michelle works hard in school and is an A student, this phase will help understand what motivates him to be that A student and what motivates him in life. Lastly phase 4, reorientation and reeducation is, “the final stage of the therapeutic process is the action-oriented phase known as reorientation and reeducation: putting insights into practice.” (Corey & Bitter, 2012, p. 118) Mitchell will be able to change his way of living and thinking with the