A question is posed about approaches to brief Adlerian therapy
Dear Drs. Adler and Dreikurs,
I’m currently providing psychological services at a college counseling center. It’s a great opportunity because I get to work with students from diverse backgrounds who present with a wide range of clinical concerns. However, students are limited to eight sessions, and I often have difficulty working within a brief therapy framework. Do you have any recommendations or strategies for using an Adlerian therapy approach within this brief therapy context?
Answer:
I have long stated that the chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions. The same is true with psychotherapy. Adlerian psychology has always been a brief therapy. My early cases were often completed in 25-30 sessions compared to the other psychotherapy approaches that were “forever” approaches where clients seldom completed treatment while alive.
The therapy climate today, of course, is much different and brief therapy is a necessity. My currently practicing Adlerian colleagues Jon Carlson and Len Sperry have written a book on Brief Therapy with Individuals & Couples that highlights how Adlerians’ ideas are as effective, if not even more effective, than the other approaches being used today. Look up the work of Carlson, Sperry, and other contemporary Adlerians who have modified the traditional Adlerian components to be utilized in a brief fashion. Use mini-lifesyles, the Basis-A and other clever modifications to help you gain the essence of each of your clients and help them use the many time-tested Adlerian techniques.