Adlerian Therapy: A General Review

Abstract

Adlerian therapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Alfred Adler on the basis of the theory of individual psychology. Adlerian therapy, which is considered as a neoanalytic approach, differs from other neoanalytic approaches in that it emphasizes the purposefulness of behavior in addition to the individual's past lives and emphasizes subjective opinion. In terms of addressing both the individual's past lives and the motivations underlying their current behavior, Adlerian therapy offers a fairly broad perspective on the individual's personality and behavior. Although research on Adlerian therapy, which has a deep-rooted foundation, is limited in Turkey, given the compatibility of basic concepts with Turkish culture, it is thought that the development and dissemination of Adlerian therapy-based practices will contribute to the field of mental health. For this reason, the article aims to cover the general philosophy and concepts of Adler's theory of individual psychology, its basic concepts, psychopathology view, the process of Adlerian therapy and the techniques used in the therapy process. In addition, the article evaluates the literature findings related to the uses and effectiveness of Adlerian therapy and provides some suggestions to researchers and experts working in the field.