Reflection Paper on the Adlerian
Theory
Counseling Theory and Practice
2/26/2013
Jesslyn Guenther
Jesslyn Guenther
Reflection Paper on the Adlerian Theory
Counseling Theory and Practice
2/26/13
Reflection Paper on the Adlerian Theory
I really like what I have learned about the Adler Theory. I associate a lot with Adler
about how early childhood experiences have an impact on your life. I believe that we
have the ability to take our experiences and use them as a guide to decide what is right
and what is wrong in life and decide for ourselves whether we want to take these
experiences and let them drag us down, or use them to better our lives.
In a way, this is how I look at my own life because my father was an alcoholic and there
was a lot of arguing and unhappiness with my parents so I was determined to not be an
alcoholic, have a good relationship with my spouse and be a good mother. Two out of
my three goals have come true, I’m not an alcoholic and I’m a great mother. I gave my
children the love and understanding that I didn’t receive as a child. I however, have not
been successful in my relationships, so there is still that part of my childhood
experience that I have not overcome.
Through reading about the Adlerian Theory, I also came to realize that there are things I
recollect about my early childhood that I had forgotten about or not really thought about
in a long time that affect my life today and I really didn’t realize it until recently. This is
why as an AODA counselor, I will be asking my clients about their earliest recollections
Jesslyn Guenther
Reflection Paper on the Adlerian Theory
Counseling Theory and Practice
2/26/13
as a child to possibly bring back a memory for them that might be affecting their life
today in a negative way, so they can work on dealing with these issues.
I totally relate to Adler’s approach on birth order and your relationship with your siblings.
I am the middle child and I always felt cheated and had the “poor me” attitude. I
however, was never a problem child but I did become the peace maker and still am to
this day.
I believe very strongly in encouragement and I agree with Adler that encouragement is
the most powerful method available for changing a person’s beliefs because it helps
people build self-confidence and stimulates courage. I always felt very discouraged as a
child and still do feel discouraged quite often as an adult, although I have been getting
better as of lately. I was constantly told that I wasn’t good enough or smart enough so I
believed this for a long time. I have always been encouraging to other people, but never
to myself. Since starting school again, I have met some wonderful people who give me
great encouragement and it makes me feel a lot better about myself.
I think Adler’s Theory is amazing. I enjoyed reading about it because I related to it and
believe in it. I agree with Adler that much of your personality is developed by age six
and that’s why it is so important to give young children encouragement and tell them
how important they are and to continue this throughout their entire lives.
I will share my reflections with my peers, my family and my clients. I will always give to
other people what I didn’t have in my life and that is encouragement because we can all
Jesslyn Guenther
Reflection Paper on the Adlerian Theory
Counseling Theory and Practice
2/26/13
decide what we want in life and what we need to do, but it makes it so much easier and
gives us a lot more confidence when others believe in us and give us encouragement.