Adler was the earliest family system’s theorist and offered common sense approaches in working with families and empowering parents to build stronger relationships with their children. Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs, a colleague of Adler, expanded on this work and popularized it in publications and in training. Dr. Bitter summarizes the foundational underpinnings of working with families and children and how they are reinforced in parent training.

 

Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: James R. Bitter, Parenting/Parent Training, Family Council/Family Meeting
Resource Type: Video

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Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Family Council/Family Meeting, Positive Discipline for Parents
Resource Type: Video

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 In October, of 1980, an article appeared in the Washington Post newspaper that detailed how, in Rob Guttenberg’s work as a family counselor, he was able to teach parents how to set up weekly family meetings, based on the principles of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs. These Viennese psychiatrists emphasized how parents could raise their children to have a respectful voice in family decision-making, where the children could come to realize that they were needed, and that they had contributions to make to their family and to their community.

Not long after the appearance of the article in the Post, a producer from the Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) 700 Club approached Rob Guttenberg about visiting the Family Education Center in Takoma Park, Maryland in order to interview Rob and families with whom he worked. The CBN documentary video, "No More Civil Wars," was produced based on these interviews and shown on the 700 Club with Pat Robertson introducing the subject.

Twelve years later, Rob Guttenberg approached the Kornrich family about creating a video follow-up video. At the time of follow-up, the Kornrich’s daughter, Tasnima was 19 years-old and in her first year at the University of Tennessee, and their son, Sabino was a 12 year-old.

With permission from the family and the producer of the Christian broadcasting Network’s 700 Club, Rob interviewed the family about the impact that holding Adlerian Family Council meetings had on their family life.

This video includes the 12-year follow-up that Rob produced about the Kornrich’s experience.

Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Family Council/Family Meeting, Rob Guttenberg
Resource Type: Video
No More Civil Wars! Family Council Meetings Twelve Year Follow-Up with the Kornrich Family

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Video of Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs conducting a Family Counseling demonstration. This presentation was delivered and televised on June 29, 1960, as part of a summer workshop in the school of Education at Oregon State College.

Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs counsels parents who describe several challenges with their four children not listening and following directions, especialy at mealtimes. One of the children is also having difficulty with bedwetting, and their infant continues to suck her thumb. Dr. Dreikurs describes the importance of choice, withdrawing from conflicts, and assigning responsibility. A discussion regarding attention seeking is also facilitated.

Half way through the session, Dr. Dreikurs invites the four children into the session and has the parents leave the room. The children describe the family problems they perceive, including mealtimes, fighting, and getting dressed in the morning. Dr. Dreikurs makes guesses about the goals of the children’s' misbehavior.

Finally, Dr. Dreikurs invites the parents back into the room to discuss his observations.

Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Family Council/Family Meeting, Understanding Children/Redirecting Misbehavior/Fostering Contributions, Rudolf Dreikurs
Resource Type: Video

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