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Home > Practice Areas > Adlerian Counseling/Psychotherapy > Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy

Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy

Related Content: Resources

Note: Page numbers enclosed in parentheses are citations from The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler: A systematic presentation in selections from his writings. (H. L. and R. R. Ansbacher, Eds.). © 1964, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. Used by permission of Perseus Books Group.

Some have said that Adler originated group therapy in Vienna in 1920, when he began counseling children, teachers, and families in the presence of the larger group of persons interested in the problems that disturb their relationships. Issues that had previously been private matters were now discussed among others for the first time (Ganz, 1953, p. 109). Though Adler did not practice group therapy as it is known today, he suggested group treatment of criminals, saying, "While I do not believe it would be possible to give every criminal an individual treatment, we could contribute much by group treatment," going on to discuss the kinds of work that could be done in such a group, and predicting that "we could achieve great results" (p. 348). Terner and Pew (1978) report that Dreikurs introduced group therapy into his private practice in 1928, and was probably the first psychiatrist to do so (p. 78). 

Multiple therapy (or co-therapy) refers to the involvement of more than one therapist in a case. It is not uncommon for two therapists to work together with a client in the process of lifestyle assessment, and a co-therapist team made up of male and female partners can be particularly valuable in couple and marriage counseling and therapy. In group therapy, while it is typical for one therapist to facilitate the group, two can enrich the experience, and the presence of two leaders can allow for the formation of sub-groups at particular times. A number of Adlerian practitioners have addressed the uses of multiple and group therapy.

 

For Group Therapy, see Carlson, J., Watts, R. E., & Maniacci, M.  P. (2006); Dinkmeyer, D.  C. Jr., & Sperry, L. (2000); Manaster, G. J. & Corsini, R. J. (1982); and Sonstegard, M.  A. & Bitter, J.  R. (with Pelonis, P.) (2004).

For Multiple Therapy, see Dreikurs, R., Shulman, B. H., & Mosak, H. H. (1984); Powers, R. L. & Griffith, J. (1987).

© Griffith, J., & Powers, R. L. (2007).  The Lexicon of Adlerian Psychology:  106 terms Associated with the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler (2nd ed.). Port Townsend, WA: Adlerian Psychology Associates (p. 47).

Definitions of concepts are used by permission of Jane Griffith. A comprehensive list of concepts and definitions can be found in The Lexicon of Adlerian Psychology: 106 Terms Associated with the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler by Jane Griffith and Robert L. Powers, available for purchase on Amazon.com. 

 

References 

Carlson, J., Watts, R. E, & Maniacci, M.P. (2006). Adlerian therapy:  Theory and practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Dinkmeyer, D. C., Jr., & Sperry, L. (2000). Counseling and psychotherapy: An integrated Individual Psychology approach (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill.

 

Dreikurs R., Shulman, B. H., & Mosak, H. H. (1984). Multiple psychotherapy: The use of two therapists with one patient. Chicago: Alfred Adler Institute.

Ganz, M. (1953). The psychology of Alfred Adler and the development of the child. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. (Original work published 1935)

Manaster, G. J., & Corsini, R. J. (1982). Individual Psychology:  Theory and practice. Itasca, IL: F. E. Peacock.

Powers, R. L., & Griffith, J. (1987). Understanding life-style: The psycho-clarity process. Port Townsend, WA: Adlerian Psychology Associates.

Sonstegard, M. A., & Bitter, J.R. (with Pelonis, P.). (2004). Adlerian group counseling and therapy: Step-by-step. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

Terner, J., & Pew, W. L. (1978). The courage to be imperfect: The life and work of Rudolf

Dreikurs. New York: Hawthorn.

 


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Resources

Book Reviews, Individual Psychologist v.1 #1 (1963)
Book reviews of Family Constellation, Psychoanalysis of Groups, and Group Psychotherapy


Added By: CMonn
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy, Family Constellation
Resource Type: Article
Book Reviews, Individual Psychologist v.1 #1
Direct Link to this Resource

Individual Psychology in Activity Group Therapy by Regine Seidler, Individual Psychologist v.4 #1 (1966)
A discussion of group therapy with children, what to look for to gain lifestyle information, and integrating creative activities


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy
Resource Type: Article
Individual Psychology in Activity Group Therapy by Regine Seidler
Direct Link to this Resource

The Role of Dance Therapy in Adlerian Psychology by Liljan Espenak, Individual Psychologist v.4 #1 (1966)
How Dance Therapy corresponds with Adlerian Therapy


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy, Individual Therapy
Resource Type: Article
The Role of Dance Therapy in Adlerian Psychology by Liljan Espenak
Direct Link to this Resource

Group Therapy with Married Couples:  The Birth Pangs of a New Family Life Style in Marriage by Danica Deutsch, Individual Psychologist v.4 #2 (1967)
The advantages of group therapy with married couples


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy, Couples Therapy
Resource Type: Article
Group Therapy with Married Couples:  The Birth Pangs of a New Family Life Style in Marriage by Danica Deutsch
Direct Link to this Resource

A Less Known Facet of Rudolf Dreikurs' Work: Multiple Psychotherapy by Joseph Meiers, Individual Psychologist v.5 #1 (1967)
Brief description of Rudolf Dreikurs and multiple therapy


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy, Rudolf Dreikurs
Resource Type: Article
A Less Known Facet of Rudolf Dreikurs' Work: Multiple Psychotherapy by Joseph Meiers
Direct Link to this Resource

Discussion Group of Small Children by Eleanore Redwin and Georgia Greven, Individual Psychologist v.5 #1 (1967)
Adlerian group therapy with children and adolescents


Added By: AWisniewski
Areas of Focus: Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy
Resource Type: Article
Discussion Group of Small Children by Eleanore Redwin and Georgia Greven
Direct Link to this Resource

Positive Psychology Lecture Part 2 of 2 by Dr. Steve J. Hamm, Ed.D., LCPC, LSOE, LSOTP, ACS
During this session Dr. Steve Hamm explores an Adlerian based group counseling program which integrated positive psychology interventions with youth in a residential treatment center.

Within the last two decades, an interest has grown in studies and interventions examining human strengths, virtues, and well-being with the increasing popularity of the positive psychology movement. There has been an increasing interest in focusing on strengths, solutions, resilience and thriving of individuals even after traumatic experiences. Alfred Adler has been considered as the forefather of such strength based approach. During this session Dr. Steve Hamm explores an Adlerian based group counseling program which integrated positive psychology interventions with youth in a residential treatment center. He describes how Adlerian theory aligns with the positive psychology and discuss how clients’ response to positive interventions differed from responses typically received in problem focused groups. Lecture atendees are invited to participate in a couple of fun activities, empirically validated as effective means to reduce depression. Open discussion, questions, and sharing of ideas is strongly encouraged.

Video Length: 1:18:47


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Positive Psychology, Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource

Positive Psychology Lecture Part 1 of 2 by Dr. Steve J. Hamm, Ed.D., LCPC, LSOE, LSOTP, ACS
During this session Dr. Steve Hamm explores an Adlerian based group counseling program which integrated positive psychology interventions with youth in a residential treatment center.

Within the last two decades, an interest has grown in studies and interventions examining human strengths, virtues, and well-being with the increasing popularity of the positive psychology movement. There has been an increasing interest in focusing on strengths, solutions, resilience and thriving of individuals even after traumatic experiences. Alfred Adler has been considered as the forefather of such strength based approach. During this session Dr. Steve Hamm explores an Adlerian based group counseling program which integrated positive psychology interventions with youth in a residential treatment center. He describes how Adlerian theory aligns with the positive psychology and discuss how clients’ response to positive interventions differed from responses typically received in problem focused groups. Lecture atendees are invited to participate in a couple of fun activities, empirically validated as effective means to reduce depression. Open discussion, questions, and sharing of ideas is strongly encouraged.

Video Length: 1:20:00


Added By: Admin
Areas of Focus: Positive Psychology, Group Therapy and Multiple Therapy
Resource Type: Video
Direct Link to this Resource
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