Adlerian Group Counseling Adlerian Group Counseling and Therapy: Step-by-Stepand Therapy: Step-by-Step

James Robert Bitter, Ed.D.James Robert Bitter, Ed.D.

Adlerian Training InstituteAdlerian Training Institute

East Tennessee State UniversityEast Tennessee State University

Adlerian Group Therapy:Adlerian Group Therapy:

• Is a form of Adlerian Brief Therapy;

• Parallels effective living in everyday life;

• Engages peers in the process and support of change within individuals and the group.

Five who influenced me and the Five who influenced me and the development of this modeldevelopment of this model

• Alfred Adler (1870 – 1937)

• Rudolf Dreikurs (1897 – 1972)

• Virginia Satir (1916 – 1988)

• Erv & Miriam Polster

Alfred AdlerAlfred Adler

Adler was the first systemic therapist; he developed the first social psychology based on the idea that all human behavior is purposeful and must be understood in context.

Rudolf DreikursRudolf Dreikurs

Dreikurs was a colleague of Alfred Adler; he is responsible for the extension of Adler’s work into the North & South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Virginia SatirVirginia Satir

Satir is considered in the United States to have been the mother of family therapy; her systemic approach focused on the development of self-esteem, communica-tion, human process, & validation.

Erv & Miriam PolsterErv & Miriam PolsterThe Heart of Gestalt TherapyThe Heart of Gestalt Therapy

Groups require and support Groups require and support democracydemocracy

• Groups encourage the development of voice;• Groups are experiential learning;• Groups provide support & encouragement;• Groups engage in values-clarification;

• Groups initiate & develop what Adler called “a community feeling” and its implementation in social interest.

Qualities of Group LeadershipQualities of Group Leadership

• Presence• Assertiveness and confidence• Courage and risk• Acceptance, interest, & caring• Modeling & collaboration• Adaptability & a sense of humor• Holism: Listening teleologically & working in

patterns• Tending the group process

Initial Steps:Initial Steps:

• Meeting group members– Adlerians do not pre-screen members– Democracy requires acceptance of all

• Establishing group agreements rather than laying down ground rules or imposing structure

• Facilitating a subjective interview

Psychological InvestigationsPsychological Investigations

• Family Constellation

• The Tasks of Life

• Early Recollections

• “The Question”

Re-orientation & ChangeRe-orientation & Change

• Psychological Disclosure

• Experiment (Engaging in a Safe Emergency) & Experience

• Group Problem-Solving

• Group Commitment & Group Support