Alfred Adler Family Therapy Theory
The Alfred Adler family therapy theory is one that is widely used within the field of psychology today. The mere concept of involving each family member in therapy is an Adlerian system.
For Alfred Adler, family therapy theory consisted of treating the family as a whole unit in order to help diagnose and work with a child that may be going through some problems. According to Adler, all children were products of their family unit, so it made sense that the family should enter into therapy as a whole. Additionally, Alder always placed great importance upon treatment as well as prevention. In many ways, this notion is entirely correct.
In order for any child to feel accepted, well adjusted, and loved, they must understand that they have an important part within a family unit. Thus, Adler always attempted to teach the entire family about the ways to include children into the family. While other therapeutic methods focus solely upon one family member or another, the Adlerian method seems to make a lot of sense.
Adler believed that children could easily overcome personality disorders if they remained a part of the family unit, though he always emphasized the importance of bringing up children properly. Alfred Adler family therapy is really the foundation for all types of therapy involving families. Though some therapists will stick to his concepts directly, others will take bits and pieces of his many true thoughts in order to apply them to modern therapy sessions. Essentially, he did not see any point in treating a person as an individual if they belong to a family unit.
Not only did Adler strongly suggest that parents help a child to feel included in their daily lives, but he also believed that all teachers should take the time to show a child their place within the world. Once a child has become adjusted to family life, they can then begin to achieve all those things that they wish to accomplish – whether or not they are realistic. Adler did a lot of work with families during his lifetime, and most of this work is still used today.
As you can tell, the Alfred Adler family therapy theory is one that is easy applicable to all families. Even though he constructed his concepts some time ago, they easily apply to today’s family dynamics. In many ways, this sort of therapy is the only kind that addresses the family as a whole.