Running Head: STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
Streamlining Adlerian Theory
A Summary Paper
Presented to
The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School
________________
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
the Degree of Master of Arts in
Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy
_______________
By:
James K. McCleary
July 2010
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STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
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Abstract
This paper identifies six significant and compatible techniques that can enhance the
quality and productivity of Adlerian therapists in a world with ever-changing market conditions.
These products and techniques are:
1. The SmartDraw family constellation/genogram tool
2. The Walton Brief Lifestyle Analysis
3. Computerization for the enhancement of many practice aspects
4. The Bitter and Nicoll brief therapy approach
5. The Arno Profiles System (APS) for rapid personality matching to Adlerian
therapeutic concepts
6. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) for clients suffering from
anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, trauma, phobias, grief, somatic disorders, abuse,
and eating disorders.
Managed care has changed the landscape of traditional therapy so that every moment is
precious in therapy, and every cost must be minimized. In order to be a successful therapist
today, one must recognize these seemingly irreversible trends and adapt. This paper supports the
theory that clinician adaptation of any of the tools presented herein will significantly enhance
quality and reduce cost for Adlerian clients and therapists by speeding up results and reducing
therapy room time. These products and processes can be viewed as accessories that enable
customization of the practice to match its unique requirements and the skills and predilections of
the counselor. They are independent from one another with the exception of the computer, and
can be selected and added at times that are convenient for the clinician.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the faculty, administration, and my cohorts at the Adler
Graduate School. Also I want to recognize the positive impact my family has had in this venture
and thank them for their patience during my hours away from them. Finally I would be
incomplete if I did not recognize and thank the management and clients I worked with at my two
internship sites at Minnesota Teen Challenge and Genesis II for Families. This education was an
especially significant opportunity in my life to learn practical clinical therapy from a wonderful
and wise group of people based on a theoretical platform that in my opinion is second to none.
My special thanks to Dr. Herb Laube and Dr. William Premo who worked closely with
me on this project.
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Table of Contents
Abstract
2
Acknowledgements
3
Table of Contents
4
Hypothesis
5
BASIS-A Inventory
6
SmartDraw Genogram
6
Walton Brief Lifestyle Analysis
8
Computer as a Brief Therapy Tool
10
Temperament Personality Tool
11
Comparison of Adler and Arno Life Tasks
14
Temperament Analysis as an Adlerian Tool
15
Adlerian Concepts Derived from an APS Report
15
Adlerian Brief Therapy
23
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
26
EMDR Cases
28
Conclusion
34
Final Comment
36
Appendices
38
References
48
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Hypothesis
The present day era of managed care, cost controls, and brief therapy was not anticipated
by Alfred Adler in print as much as it was in spirit and thought. Adler was the ‘every-person’s’
analyst, never veering from serving any and all regardless of station in life and certainly not
taken by issues of personal superiority as were some of his contemporaries. This paper builds on
the solid foundation of Adlerian theory by recognizing certain contemporary “tools” that are
compatible with and may be helpful to present-day practitioners of Adlerian theories. These
tools are meant to be complementary and enhance the effectiveness of Adlerian ideas for client
and therapist alike, and to further enhance Adler’s theories in our fast-paced and cost-conscious
world. The tools and their effectiveness evaluated in this paper include the BASIS-A and
temperament personality analyses for rapid client bonding and early assessment; SmartDraw for
rapid family constellation and history recording; the Walton Brief Lifestyle Analysis for quick
lifestyle assessment and Early Recollections (ERs); Adlerian brief therapy as presented by Bitter
& Nicoll; computer assessment and time-saving tools; and Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing (EMDR) for swift processing of Axis I disorders. Four of these six tools are
technology-assisted processes. It is hypothesized that the adoption of these tools and
customizing their application will significantly enhance both client and therapist success with
positive outcomes from the therapeutic process. Another huge advantage of these accessories is
the reduction of excess therapist time with paperwork by automating and speeding up many
processes that may presently need to be done outside of session. In addition these tools
accomplish nearly free documentation. With the upcoming requirement for digitizing health care
information these products accomplish that eventuality.
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The BASIS-A Inventory as an Adlerian Brief Therapy Tool
The BASIS-A Inventory is an available rapid assessment device utilized at AGS. The
BASIS-A is a “measure[ment] …of the themes that are part of one’s ‘game plan.’” It purports to
be “a way to better understand some of the beliefs you use as you go through life (TRT
Associates, 1994).” The BASIS-A costs $9 plus costs to manually administer, and provides
abnormality information on ten different scales. Two of those scales are the Adlerian principles
of social interest and striving for perfection. The social interest scale contains a categorization
scheme of “high, moderate, and low.” In reading the definitions of this scale the tool seems to be
reporting on introversion and extraversion as opposed to Adler’s meaning of social interest. The
“striving” scale seems to provide a measure of confidence rather than striving or perfection in the
Adlerian sense. The rest of the topics include “going along, taking charge, wanting recognition,
being cautious, harshness [overemphasis of difficulties], entitlement, liked by all [and] softness
BASIS-A Interpretive Guide (pgs. 2-4).” The BASIS-A offers standard comments rather than
‘custom’ reporting information tailored to an individual. Its utility is quite limited.
This instrument has not been widely adopted as a helpful tool in therapy even though it
has been available for some time. Existing research does not indicate broad-based successful
outcome from its use. It would seem that if the BASIS-A Inventory provided much value as an
assessment tool Adlerian’s would be utilizing it widely. The market is rarely wrong.
SmartDraw
A helpful tool for interactive family constellation work is the SmartDraw (SD) genogram
software (www.smartdraw.com). The SD product is intuitive and easy to use by means of point,
drag, and click. Support is great, and the product includes simple features which provide
significant advantages both visually and in simplifying documentation.
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
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The genogram is therapeutically strategic to understanding both family of origin and
present family issues and strengths. It is commonly used by many if not most therapists. A most
important feature of SD is the smooth and comfortable way it engages the client both with the
therapist and with the computer. That is accomplished by interactively drawing the genogram on
the computer screen, including its corollary information, in concert with the client. I have found
that, after sufficient therapist time actually making the transition to the keyboard and getting
comfortable with it, the computer does not present an imposition for most clients. I nearly
always go, after the get-acquainted and identification of issue steps, immediately to an
interactive creation of the genogram. I can generally get at least these three steps completed in
the first 50 minutes. The following example is illustrative of a SmartDraw historical genogram:
Figure 1 – Sample Genogram with Commentary
Buy SmartDraw!- purchased copies print this
document without a watermark .
Visit www.smartdraw.com or call 1-800-768-3729.
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
As compared with GenoPro or other alternatives available at the time of this writing, SD seems
to provide a superior alternative. GenoPro is less expensive to purchase and appears to be much
more sophisticated but I found it way too complex in practice. This complexity inhibits smooth
dialogue with the client. Because the presentation is far less graphic the client quickly looses
interest. Also support is nil.
The Walton Brief Life Style Analysis as an Adlerian Assessment Tool
My next step typically is to take a Walton Brief Life Style Analysis. This step is often
accomplished in 20 minutes or so. Walton (1996) has produced the following “Questions for
brief life style analysis:
1. I was the kid who always……..
2. Which sibling did you think was most different from you when you were a child?
How? (if only child, how were you different from the other kids?)
3. When you were a child what did you think was most positive about your mother?
And father? Was there anything you rejected about your Mom and Dad?
4. Unforgettable observations – when you were growing up can you recall any
conclusions you made about life such as: when I get to be an adult I certainly will
always…..or, I will never let this happen in my family (or my life).
5. Perhaps obtain two early memories – what was the earliest specific incident you can
recall? (Record in present tense in precise words of client). What moment was most
vivid? What feeling is connected with the incident?” Note that utilizing a computer
for early recollection purposes is often considered standard by many counselors.
A fabricated chemical dependency client brief lifestyle might look like the following:
Question 1: The kid who always got high
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Question 2: My older brother, who everyone loved. I didn’t feel loved.
Question 3: Mom worked hard, did her best, held down the fort. Dad made me feel
whole, didn’t reject anything.
Question 4: I will not always be like my older brother who was high all the time, didn’t
finish high school, a burnout. I will never not be there for my son or daughter.
Question 5:
ER 1
I remember when I was seven coming down the stairs and seeing my dad on the floor. He
had passed away. Everyone was crying and I didn’t feel anything or know what to think
about the situation.
Most Vivid: Coming down the stairs and sitting around dad’s bed after he was gone
Feeling: Empty
Why: My dad passed away, all my hope was in my dad, I didn’t know what was going
on, no one explained it to me.
ER 2
I came home from school at age five or six and my dad was on the ground with his head
cracked open because he fell off a chair and we had to call the ambulance.
Most Vivid: My dad on the ground
Feeling: Confused, empty, didn’t know how to feel
Why: Because I was so young
Obviously this lifestyle approach, while not as comprehensive as a full lifestyle, can be
easily accomplished in a few minutes as opposed to several sessions, especially when entered on
computer at the time of the information intake. Additional ERs can be easily added when
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available, which are very helpful. Although the result is not as complete as that of a full
lifestyle, it is consistent with a brief therapy approach to counseling. As Watts & Carlson (1999)
(pg. 91) point out the lifestyle is the characteristic and unique pattern of thinking, feeling, and
acting…. “The [lifestyle] priorities may be for control, perfectionism, superiority, or being a
victim or martyr.” An astute therapist can certainly take the information collected in this brief
lifestyle analysis, which would take only a few minutes to collect, and develop conclusions to
many characteristics and priorities identified as fundamental to the therapeutic process by Watts
& Carlson. Finally these ERs provide fertile material for issues if processed by EMDR at a later
time.
The Computer as an Adlerian Brief Therapy Tool
The use of a computer is necessary to implement several of the streamlining techniques
suggested. Along with the computer come many other advantages. Computers provide access to
a myriad of tools consistent with brief therapy goals. The computer also doubles as a highly
useful device for such diverse activities as counselor prompting, on-the-fly documentation, client
reminders and assignments, scheduling, access to internet information, on-the-spot printing of
client reading materials, insurance processing, and many other functions. While many therapists
and some clients may not be ready for the use of this tool in the therapy room, it is undoubtedly
the wave of the future for others, and particularly for brief therapists. The notebook computer is
highly un-obtrusive and easy to manage, putting little more between the client and the therapist
than a paper tablet. Using a notepad’s wireless features, it is simple to provide redundant
confidential storage of client records and print off reports as needed. Desktops are even better,
requiring only a keyboard which is smaller than a notepad and providing data storage without
additional steps.
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Another therapy room computer use is access to various on-line assessment tools and
assessment scoring aids for on-the-spot appraisals. Included in that list are products such as the
MMPI and the Beck Depression Inventory. On-line assessment tools can indisputably speed up
the delivery of help to clients.
Many on-line personality assessment products also exist in the marketplace. Included are
products such as the Myers-Briggs, the Firo-B, the Arno Profile System, and various other
temperament tests.
The Temperament Personality Assessment Tool
Hippocrates (460-370 BC) formulated a personality theory in which he postulated four
unique personality categories or ‘types’ based on his observation of ‘life styles’ of individuals he
served. He designated them as ‘temperaments’ and titled them Melancholy, Sanguine, Choleric,
and Phlegmatic. As a family medical doctor his background was analogous to that of Adler, so
interestingly both men’s theories evolved from the medical point of view. Ansbacher &
Ansbacher (1964) (pg. 166) indicate that Adler did “not consider human beings as types, because
every person has an individual style of life” and he believed that the “classification by types can
be thus a source of confusion… (pg. 167).[because]…each individual has a different meaning of,
and attitude toward, what constitutes success (pg. 167).” He further believed that “each
individual must be studied in the light of his own particular development (pg. 167).” With all of
that said, Adler did acknowledge a similar group of four “social interest and activity types [that
bear semblance to] .. the ancient four temperaments (pg. 169)” Ansbacher & Ansbacher. In their
chapter on Degree of Activity these social interest and activity types are referred to as “dominant
or ruling type [similar to choleric], getting type [perhaps similar to phlegmatic], avoiding type
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
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[perhaps the melancholy], and socially useful type [similar to sanguine] (pg. 171).” Dinkmeyer
and Sperry (2000) comment similarly on this subject in their chapter on Psychopathology.
Psychologist Dr. David Keirsey (1988) has authored numerous books on temperament,
associating Myers-Briggs types with the four temperaments. Keirsey’s personality types
correspond to the Myers-Briggs types as follows:
“’Guardians’
ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFJ, and ISFJ
‘Artisans’
ESTP, ISTP, ESFP, and ISFP
‘Rationals’
ENTJ, INTJ, ENTP, and INTP
‘Idealists’
ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, and INFP”
These categories (Keirsey, 2010) do not closely overlay Hippocrates’ four factor temperament
model, however Keirsey does refer in his publications to his categories as being derived from
Hippocrates theories. There are “some major practical differences and a large theoretical
difference between two bodies of work [Keirsey and Myers-Briggs]. The first essential
difference is that Keirsey describes observed long term behavioral patterns, Myers often
describes what people have in mind. The second essential difference is Myers used a linear four
factor model to characterize ‘invariant’ patterns of behavior of the individual throughout their
lifetime, whereas Keirsey uses a systems field theory model to characterize these patterns
(http://users.viawest.net).” Since little empirical evidence seems to support any notion that either
Myers-Briggs or Keirsey’s model (Keirsey, 1998) can as easily provide straightforward value to
Adlerians neither will be considered in this paper.
Merenda (1987), writing from a historical perspective on the subject, has suggested a
connection between personality types and four factor temperament schemes. He cites Wundt’s,
Marston’s, and Clarke’s various works that “overlaps almost perfectly with the
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Hippocrates….theory of personality structure (pg. 372).” Also mentioned is a possible fifth
factor held to be of various dimensions depending upon the researcher chosen. Merenda
recommends further research on the topic to “validate, invalidate or modify this now long-held
view that temperament personality consists of four mutually independent dimensions that are
quantifiable (pg. 373).” Arno (1994) has uncovered what he considers to be a fifth temperament
in his research and actual application of temperament therapy.
Arno calls the fifth temperament type “supine.” “The Supine is the ‘bowing’
temperament, seeing everyone else as valuable and themselves as nearly worthless. They see
themselves as the “individuals who were placed on this earth to serve others…. [Supines] … do
have many interests and cares, although they do not express them. … [they will] …manipulate
others into taking care of them. The Supine…can undertake numerous tasks, especially if these
tasks are performed for the development of friendships…. [they are] … natural born victims (pg.
89).” They need “social acceptance very much … [and are] …totally dependent on others to
recognize their needs and break down all barriers by personally inviting them with an insistence
that ‘we need you’ (Arno, 1994) (pg. 89).’”
It appears that Hippocrates believed temperament to be stable throughout a lifetime. Also
it seems that none of the temperaments are especially bad or good, but each has its own strengths
and weaknesses. Adler appears to think that temperaments can change (Ansbacher & Ansbacher,
pg. 169). It may be that these differences can be reconciled by individuals choosing to make
improvements on their weaknesses as a result of socialization.
Hippocrates’ theories have been modernized by practitioners including Arno and LaHaye
(2005) to the point that a short computer-based questionnaire will categorize individuals into
different combinations of temperaments. These combinations reveal that ‘pure’ temperaments
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
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are rare, and that it is normal to have combinations of temperaments of various personality
characteristics. That becomes clear when the refinement of computer evaluation is applied. As a
consequence of these combinations the reports identify literally thousands of temperament
variations and highlight the unique characteristics of each.
These results, provided in the form of computer-generated reports, can prove useful in
educating therapists and counselees regarding individual temperament personalities while also
providing instant rapport with and confidence in the counselor. This tool can also be helpful in
family therapy by clarifying each different family member’s personality propensities so that by
understanding each other’s temperament, knowledge about each other can be gained and
healthier relations can be negotiated that may result in increased harmony. Different versions of
the instrument which produce these results range in age demographic from early reading ages of
six or seven through adulthood.
Comparison of Adler and Arno Life Tasks
Please consider Table 1 to be an approximate Arno temperament factor to Adler life tasks
comparison:
Table 1:
Adler
Arno
Friendship
Inclusion
Work
Control
Love
Affection
The three scales chosen by the Arno system are also very similar to those identified in
Dinkmeyer and Sperry in the chapter on Family Therapy. Dinkmeyer & Sperry identify them as
“boundaries or inclusion, … power or control, ... and intimacy (pg. 245).”
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Temperament Analysis as an Adlerian Therapy Tool
I have found that temperament reports often offer a helpful tool for therapists and provide
value to counselees. While temperament analysis is not a substitute for the multifaceted, deeply
researched, and time-supported traditional Adlerian process it will be seen next that it can
provide valuable preliminary life style information quickly.
The following are examples from one individual’s temperament assessment processed
from a simple fifty-four question, five point scale temperament instrument utilizing the Arno
Profile System. The sample Arno Profile System report is located in Appendix 1. This sample
profile will be utilized below to illustrate how various individual Adlerian concepts found in The
Lexicon of Adlerian Psychology (Griffith & Powers, 2007) compare with Arno results. The
purpose is to illustrate the manner in which an Adlerian therapist can quickly ‘pick out’ potential
Adlerian strength and problem areas from the Arno Profile System. Underlining will be used to
highlight specific words that are tied to the Adlerian concept under consideration.
Adlerian Concepts Derived From the APS Report
-Aggression Drive or Striving
-Goals
-Aspects of Teleology/Purpose
-Community Feeling/Social Feeling/Social Interest
-Life Tasks
-Apperception/Biased Apperception
-Safeguarding
-Cooperation
-Degree of Activity
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-Depreciation Tendency
-Belonging
Please note that only the characteristics from the APS profile that apply to the Adlerian
term under consideration are found underneath the Adlerian terms, therefore the sequence
numbers carried over from the APS report in Appendix 1 will not necessarily be all-inclusive due
to the fact that some won’t apply to that particular term.
Aggression Drive or Striving
This is the concept of pushing for an “illimitable number of manifestations including
“overcoming…SUPERIORITY and, ultimately, perfection (Griffith and Powers, pg. 3).”
Inclusion:
She only socializes when it is beneficial to her. She must have an agenda; otherwise, she
feels that it is a waste of her valuable time.
Tends to work at a fast, steady pace. It is nearly impossible to keep up with her.
Has the need to take on and organize many social functions because of her need for
recognition. The more recognition she receives, the more she needs.
Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends
to be critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
Tough-minded, strong-willed. She will usually accomplish what she sets out to do
regardless of the cost or consequences.
Goals
“All of life is PURPOSIVE. ..MOVEMENT is oriented forward, toward goals. Two goals
operate constantly: The overarching FICTIONAL GOAL of the personality (SELF-IDEAL), and
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the immediate goal…of one’s activity in response to life’s requirements. To UNDERSTAND a
human being is to comprehend his or her goals (Griffith and Powers, pg. 44).”
Inclusion:
She must have an agenda; otherwise, she feels that it is a waste of her valuable time.
Excellent organizer in social settings. She is capable of organizing small intimate
meetings as well large corporate functions.
Tends to work at a fast, steady pace. It is nearly impossible to keep up with her.
Has the need to take on and organize many social functions because of her need for
recognition. The more recognition she receives, the more she needs.
Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends
to be critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
Tough-minded, strong-willed. She will usually accomplish what she sets out to do,
regardless of the cost or consequences.
Affection:
Optimistic. Believes if she tries harder, a relationship will eventually work out.
Profile Two:
Inclusion:
She is task/relationship-oriented. She can relate to both tasks and people. Because of her
need to serve others, she tends to take on more than she can handle; this can lead to
feelings of resentment as well as drain her energy.
Needs time, throughout the day, to think and organize or “file” her thoughts.
Control:
Good leadership capabilities if allowed to move into unknown areas at her own pace.
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Aspects of Teleology/Purpose
“The terms teleology, purpose, [speak to] … behavior as moving toward ends or
GOALS. INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY considers all behavior ….as purposive, that is, as
MOVEMENT in line with the individual’s LIFE-STYLE GOALS (Griffith and Powers, pg.
100).”
Inclusion:
Extrovert of a highly selective nature.
She only socializes when it is beneficial to her. She must have an agenda; otherwise, she
feels that it is a waste of her valuable time.
Excellent organizer in social settings. She is capable of organizing small intimate
meetings as well large corporate functions.
Has the need to take on and organize many social functions because of her need for
recognition. The more recognition she receives, the more she needs.
Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends
to be critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
Tough-minded, strong-willed. She will usually accomplish what she sets out to do,
regardless of the cost or consequences.
Control:
Independent/self-motivated.
Makes decisions and takes on responsibilities very well when dealing in known areas
(areas previously dealt with).
Good leadership capabilities if she is allowed to move into unknown areas at her own
pace.
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Demands truth, order, reliability, and dependability from self and others.
Affection:
Expresses a great deal of love and affection, and requires a moderate amount.
Expresses her love by hugging, touching, stroking, and kissing.
Has a dry or wry sense of humor that she uses to keep deep relationships from
controlling her.
Optimistic. Believes if she tries harder, a relationship will eventually work out.
Community Feeling/Social Feeling/Social Interest
“community feeling..encompasses the individual’s awareness of BELONGING in the
human community and the cosmos of which it is a part, and an UNDERSTANDING of his or her
responsibility for the way the life of the community is being shaped by his or her actions
(Griffith and Powers, pg. 11).”
Control:
Will give advice when people ask, but will not pressure them to follow this advice.
Life Tasks
“of communal life, of work, and of love (Griffith & Powers, pg. 64)”
Inclusion:
Excellent organizer in social settings. She is capable of organizing small intimate
meetings as well large corporate functions.
Has a cruel, abusive temper that she will use to motivate people if she cannot motivate
them with her charm.
Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends
to be critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
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Control:
Independent/self-motivated.
Expresses very little control over the lives and behaviors of others, and will not tolerate
control over her life and behaviors.
Good leadership capabilities if she is allowed to move into unknown areas at her own
pace.
Demands truth, order, reliability, and dependability from self and others.
Affection:
Expresses a great deal of love and affection, and requires a moderate amount.
Apperception/Biased Apperception
“Apperception refers to the personal values and interests determining the mode in which
an individual perceives self, others, and the world (Griffith & Powers, pg. 6).”
Control:
Demands truth, order, reliability, and dependability from self and others.
Tends to be legalistic, uncompromising, and rigid.
Affection:
Optimistic. Believes if she tries harder, a relationship will eventually work out.
Safeguarding
“Safeguarding refers to the mistaken MOVEMENT of the DISCOURAGED person in
thought, FEELING, and action in response to perceived threats to his or her SELF-ESTEEM
(Griffith & Powers, pg. 89).”
Control:
Must "appear" competent and in control.
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Becomes angry if confronted for mistakes, criticized, or made to look foolish.
Cooperation
“Cooperation is the distinguishing characteristic of the successful human
being…..Human problems are social problems, requiring cooperation for their solution (Griffith
& Powers, pg 18).”
Control:
Will give advice when others ask, but will not pressure them into following her advice.
Degree of Activity
Griffith and Powers (pg. 22) noted that “Adler attended to differences in the degree of
activity …..[and that] degree of activity ..[is] an independent variable as an indicator of the
individual’s LAW OF MOVEMENT.”
Inclusion:
Excellent organizer in social settings. She is capable of organizing small intimate
meetings as well large corporate functions.
Tends to work at a fast, steady pace. It is nearly impossible to keep up with her.
Tough-minded, strong-willed. She will usually accomplish what she sets out to do,
regardless of the cost or consequences.
Control:
When moving into unknown areas, requires time to build up her self-confidence.
Others tend to view this as procrastination.
Depreciation Tendency
“The depreciation tendency is the practiced MOVEMENT of the discouraged individual
to ‘enhance his self-esteem by disparaging others (Griffith & Powers, pg. 23).”
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Inclusion:
Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends
to be critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
Belonging
Some controversy exists as to whether or not this concept was supported by Adler, or was
a concept of Dreikurs (Griffith & Powers, pg. 9). The latter “often wrote of the ‘need to belong’
as the strongest motivating force.”
Affection:
Expresses a great deal of love and affection, and requires a moderate amount.
Inclusion:
Has a dry or wry sense of humor that she uses as a devise to attract others to meet her
need for socialization. She may also use this humor to “hurt” others that have “hurt” her.
Since this example covers only a single temperament profile not every Adlerian term
noted in Griffith & Powers is found. The inclusion of additional profiles would result in many if
not all Griffith & Powers terms being found, but to do so was determined to be too tedious for
the purposes of this paper. The primary purpose is to illustrate the usefulness of temperament
analysis to the Adlerian therapist. It is clear that the Arno Profile System (APS) produces a
quick report that highly correlates with Adlerian principles and terms. For the Adlerian therapist
in particular then, utilization of the APS facilitates rapid connection with the theoretical model
and language conceived and developed by Adler and his supporters. That close coupling should
result in quicker diagnoses and a deeper repoire and connection between therapist and client,
with the client securing an earlier recognition of value from the counseling process.
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For a comparison between the Arno temperament profile system and that offered by Tim
LaHaye please see Appendix 2.
Adlerian Brief Therapy
In this day and age of extreme financial pressure for speed and results in therapy
Dziegielewski (2002) mentions, “rapid assessment instruments (RAI)” are becoming more and
more necessary and popular. In this context Dziegielewski lauds time-limited treatments as the
“most often requested forms of practice in use today (pg. 124).” With time-limited methods “the
client is seen as a basically healthy individual,” which is very Adlerian. Her notion that
“approaches to practice are seen as active and directive…and [the therapist] assumes a
consultative role with the client” is also Adlerian as well as being consistent with post modern
thinking. Adlerian therapies such as brief lifestyle, early recollections and dream analysis
contribute to a time-limited approach. These practices embrace the “focus on identifying
solutions to resolving the client’s stated concern.” In other words the trend today is biased
toward focusing on problems the client wishes to process.
Dinkmeyer and Sperry (2000) devote an entire chapter to this topic, calling it “brief
therapy, [and noting that it is]..the treatment of choice for most clients.” They even go so far as
to say that “Ironically, psychotherapy training today has come to mean training in brief therapy
[and that] .. brief therapy methods have the same success rates as longer term therapies (pg.
213).” Brief therapies “are effective not only with acute and less severe concerns but also with
more chronic concerns.” Also “Recent evidence that brief therapy can also result in significant
reductions in medical care costs has further increased the appeal of brief therapy to the managedcare establishment.”
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Bitter & Nicoll (2000) also praise brief therapy for Adlerian practitioners, noting that
brief therapy has five characteristics:
“a) time limitation
b) focus
c) counselor directiveness
d) symptoms as solutions
e) the assignment of behavioral tasks (pg. 32)”
The authors go on to propose a stimulating 12 step brief therapy delivery process. Their steps are
summarized as follows:
The first step is called “Database,” which is essentially the review of information
available before the clients arrive.
The second step is the meeting with the family and the uncovering of “client concerns.”
In this step the curiosity, “interest, and even fascination” of the therapist engages with the client
family. As Bitter and Nicoll note, the initial question of the therapist is slightly different and very
open-ended. A sample would be “What do you want me to know about you?” The reason for this
type of question is to attract full involvement of the client(s).
The third step is the “subjective interview.” This step involves “fully” hearing the
families’ story. “Formal interview forms” are not used. This is free flow between the Adlerian
therapist and the family. The therapist “establishes the client as the expert,” and directs the
conversation to the “next most logical or interesting question [as directed by] what the client has
said.” During this step the Adlerian counselor is looking for “motivational and behavioral
patterns” that exist. The therapist begins to make silent hunches about the “rules” [that] directly
contribute to maintaining the concerns that have been identified.”
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The fourth step is “The Question,” stated something like “How would your lives be
different if you didn’t have these issues?” The therapist is looking for results in the following
two categories:
1. If the answer is that “life would not be different, except that the symptom would be
gone,” the therapist concludes that the “cause ….is probably psychological.” In this
case, psychological techniques are undertaken by the therapist.
2. If the problem’s “purpose is to let the client avoid a fundamental human task, …. the
client is in retreat” from that problem which must be addressed as a behavioral
matter.
“The Question,” is also mentioned as a primary strategy by the post modernist and and nonAdlerian Steve de Shazer who dubbed it ‘The Miracle Question’ (Goldenberg & Goldenberg,
2008),” The de Shazer Miracle Question has the exact same purpose as was described by Adler.
The fifth step is what Bitters & Nicoll call “the objective interview.” In this step brief
lifestyles are taken, aimed at understanding the members of the family. That is followed by a
mapping of the family constellation, the life tasks, and early recollections. “Patterns of living and
coping” are discovered from the viewpoint of each family member, which helps the counselor to
understand the “client’s interpretation of the place he or she holds in the family ….and in the
world.” “Interfering ideas” are also uncovered.
The sixth step is the “[tentative] disclosing of goals and purposes,” the function of which
is to “bring clarity and meaning to what has formerly been unconscious processing.” This
“invites a collaboration with the client by asking him or her to become an expert at clarifying the
therapist’s understanding. The elimination of an incorrect guess [by the therapist] often leads to a
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better interpretation, allowing the client to experience mutual respect in a dialogue for
clarification.”
The seventh step is “encouragement and empowerment.”
The eighth step is “Reorientation/reeducation.” “Mental health rather than a mere
decrease in symptoms is the foremost goal.”
The ninth step is “Encouragement and empowerment,” where new “solutions to clients’
original problems will evolve.
The tenth step is “Chaos and change.” Through this process the therapist must help the
client maintain focus and move forward, adjusting as necessary. “Client-generated possibilities”
which are “more useful because they reinforce a sense of personal strength and courage and they
invest clients more fully in solutions that work” appear.
The eleventh “Making a difference” step is an often small step forward emerging from a
session. The ‘difference’ could simply be a little movement that creates hope.
The twelfth step is the “Termination of the interview.” The intention here is that this
session is over, but not necessarily the therapeutic relationship. Depending on the perception of
counselor value and family need, other sessions may occur later. “A relationship has been
formed, ..[and]..Therapy is a way station in the ongoing journey of the client’s (family’s) life
(pg. 38).”
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR was accidentally discovered by Shapiro in 1987 (Shapiro, 2001). Since then it
has morphed into the premium method of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Along the way many practitioners have found the method to also be broad-ranging in value and
helpful in treating mood and anxiety disorders as well as substance abusers.
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EMDR theory posits that when traumatic disturbances come into the mind below a
certain level, the mind’s healing mechanisms simultaneously engage and assist in the recovery
and healing process. However when the disturbance is above a particular level for that day and
moment for that individual, that distressing memory along with related sensations go into a type
of memory inaccessible to the healing part of the mind. When that happens, the person ‘locks in’
the disturbing event and suffers greatly.
Shapiro found that eye movements, and later other bilateral stimulations such as tactile
and auditory, caused the healing part of the brain to re-engage with the locked memory event.
Some think that this works similar to how rapid eye movement (REM) does in sleep. The best
analogy I can draw is what happens when I count backwards when angry. When I do, my mind
unlocks from the precipitating event. It is important to note that there are a significant additional
steps in EMDR however. The additional steps include the concentrated mental ‘locking on’ by
the client to the precipitating event and the negative self-cognition that the victim associates with
the event while experiencing the mildly distracting movement of eyes, tactile, or audio
stimulation from alternate sides of the body. This stimulation is guided by the therapist in time
segments of ten seconds to several minutes many times during the processing of a distressing
event. The client is coached to envision the event in his or her mind as if watching it go by from
the seat of a moving train. In successful sessions the event is reprocessed by means of this
method of concentrating on the event, often initially at a stress level higher than that resident in
the memory then but then quickly abating to disappearance or at least minimization. At that
point a second step is to install a positive counter-cognition, and then ‘bake’ it in. Clients are
then often free from the horrible event. I have found EMDR to produce much quicker and more
lasting results than talk therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
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EMDR Cases
The following two cases are illustrative of how EMDR works in action with two male
substance abusers:
Case 1
Client: A
Age: 22
Gender: M
Marital: S
Date of Initial Session: 4/19 Number of Sessions as of 5/19/10: 7 (4 of them EMDR)
Referral: Minnesota Teen Challenge (MNTC)
Medical Issues: None
Present Medications: None
History: Client revealed much of his family history through the process of temperament
review and ERs. The former provided a comfortable way for the client and me to establish a
relationship, and revealed a very bright young man stymied by the circumstances of his
upbringing. Those circumstances included alcohol and drug provision by his father as a ‘babysitting’ tool from the time he was a youngster. The client was raised by his father in a difficult
neighborhood where drugs were easily available. Dad was a dealer, in and out of prison, and
into hard drugs. Mom was not around and ‘bumped heads’ with the client. Father was anything
but a good role model, openly practicing Bondage/Discipline/Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) with
women, being arrested many times, regular prison terms, and so on. The client was shot at,
watched his cousins’ get beat up by their parents, and killed one or more dogs out of frustration
with his living circumstances. He had been in two treatments prior to MNTC. The client has a
younger brother (-5) who is clean and attending school, and a younger sister (-6) who uses a
medley of substances but according to the client is not addicted. She has issues with mom as
well. The client was also a dealer.
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The client has had one clearly positive influence in his life, his girl-friend of five years
(she is -1). She believes in him, and without her support he might not be in recovery. He has a
GED, and has had some successful employment history. He has no felonies. The client became
somewhat less frustrated with the restrictive structure of MNTC during our first three sessions,
after which I proposed EMDR. He agreed. During intake the client scored a 28 on the
Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). This is somewhat high, but due to the absence of
alternatives we agreed to see if EMDR would be workable. On intake the client acknowledged
difficulty in concentrating, abandonment, humiliation, poverty, many traumas and distressing
memories, recurrent dreams, panic, rage, fears, betrayal, helplessness, victimization, avoidance
of things/activities/places, skin issues when stressed, compulsive behaviors, sleep and memory
difficulties, amnesia, and self-esteem issues. The client reported that he is not suicidal, and does
not have eye, brain, or neurological issues that would prevent treatment.
The client was given relaxation/stabilization training including calm/safe place, guided
imagery, containment, and straw breathing to alleviate potential stress associated with EMDR
treatment.
Diagnosis: Axis I - 309.28 Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed
Mood, 305.00 Alcohol Abuse, 305.20 Cannabis Abuse. Axis II - V71.01 Adult Antisocial
Behavior (provisional). Axis III – none. Axis IV – covered below. Axis V – GAF – 62.
Treatment Plan:
The EMDR intake took only one session due to previous client history from temperament
work. The client has had three additional EMDR sessions, beginning with eye stimulation. The
first session targeted the memory of him watching his uncle beat one of his cousins with a belt
after the client had knocked over an ice cream bowl. The negative cognition was ‘I am at fault.’
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The positive cognition was ‘I am not at fault.’ This distressing experience was processed from a
5 on a scale of ten, with ten is the highest stress imaginable, to a zero. The positive cognition
was achieved at the ‘completely true’ level of 7. Processing this matter took one session. The
client was sent home with a record-keeping form for new targets, incidents, images, and uses of
the stress-management tools.
The second EMDR session, a week later, began with the target image of the client’s
father beating a woman. This turned out to be too difficult to process. We then focused in the
same session on the killing by gunshot of a sick dog who was defecating in the home the client
lived in. The client was high at the time of the event. The negative cognition began with ‘I am
sick.’ The positive cognition was ‘I am not sick’ which was revised as is normal during the
process to ‘I need to forgive myself.’ This trauma was resolved as well, and the client reported
to be calm. Session was ended.
The third session began with the client’s concern about inter-session stress and difficulty
as he contemplated the ‘father beating a woman’ incident. I shared with the client that it was
normal for these things to come up in between sessions and also that I thought it might be easier
for him to make progress on that incident by going to the tactile and audio methods so that he
could close his eyes and concentrate better. The client agreed, mentioning that sounds outside
the office sometimes interrupted him. I had recalled that I had had an earlier experience with
another client who was distracted by the sounds of the air conditioning in another office I use.
We had gone to the auditory and tactile methods to solve that problem also. However I stuck
with the tactile only at this point with the client. The client noted as we began to reprocess the
‘father beating the woman’ problem a second time that the tactile worked just as well as the eye
stimulation with the additional advantage of being able to concentrate better. We successfully
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processed this 8 level problem in that session, and successfully installed the positive cognition
that ‘I did the best I could.’ The client noted that he had not expected to be able to process this
issue upon arrival at my office that day.
In conclusion it seems likely that as the client’s confidence has built he will be able to
successfully process the balance of his traumas, recover from the stressors that have caused him
to abuse substances, and hopefully live a sober and productive life. I am also hopeful about
removing the provisional antisocial personality disorder diagnosis.
Case 2
Client: T
Age: 23
Date of Initial Session: 3/11/10
Gender: M
Marital: S
Number of Sessions: 9 (3 EMDR as of 5/19/10)
Referral: Minnesota Teen Challenge (MNTC)
Medical Issues: None
Present Medications: None
History: The client began as a temperament analysis client, and morphed into a Marriage and
Family Therapy (MFT) client as he brought his mother into session in an attempt to achieve
healing with her. Both of the client’s parents were heavy users and dad was a dealer. He was
verbally and physically abusive to the client. When the parents divorced, the client went with
mom. Mom was a heavy cocaine user, an avid sexual party gal, and neglected the client
constantly. The client’s older brother D (+7) went with dad, and eventually became a dealer as
well. D has now been sober for ten years, and is a minister. However mom remained in heavy
drug use, and produced sister K with the father of the client and D. The father is known as C,
and K was born when the client was 8. K is now primarily living with her father C. Mom
continued her lifestyle, including being gone for days at a time leaving the client home to fend
for himself and his sister because she was with them at that time, make excuses to the police and
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neighbors, and become a runner for D and dad when he visited there. Mom also had parties at
home, orgies is a better term, involving adult couples having open sex in front of the client.
Mom had loud open sex herself in the same home at these parties, and regular pornography on
the television. The client started a fire at mom’s house. The client later picked up a couple of
DUIs along with a 2nd degree felony assault. The client wants to get to a healthy place with
mom, who still drinks 1-2 times a week. Grandma (mom’s mom) is an alcoholic. The client has
also hurt animals. The temperament work shows the client to be a bright guy with great career
potential. The client’s demeanor is very positive and sincere. He seems truly interested in
getting on the right track.
I suggested EMDR to the client and he agreed. He scored a 52 on the DES which is very
high, but his maturity, development, and will to overcome encouraged me to attempt EMDR
with him. On the Walton Brief Lifestyle he indicated that he is most appreciative of his younger
sister who ‘has morals at a young age, [whereas] he was inconsiderate and ignorant at a young
age.’ The thing he finds most positive now about his mom is that she is ‘very loving and caring.’
His dad’s most positive trait is ‘discipline.’ The client indicated in his brief lifestyle that he
would ‘never let drugs or alcohol ruin my family or life.’ This revealed strength, determination,
and movement toward healthy life goals. He was believable in his passion for an improved life
and willingness to work to get it. The client’s ERs indicated the same things revealed above. On
his EMDR intake the client ‘felt I didn’t have a good family that loved and cared for me like
friends did,’ that he had experienced lots of violence, poverty, trauma associated with substance
abuse and mom’s sickness and sexual behavior, neglect, bad dreams about women and girls,
stealing for drugs, being rejected, abandoned, not loved or cared for, betrayal by his girl friend,
emotions evoked by unfamiliar sobriety (first time in 13 years), compulsive exercise and
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worrying, short term memory and focusing issues, and self esteem issues. The client has been
successfully employed in the past. The client was given the typical relaxation training and
developed a list of seven issues to process.
Diagnosis: Axis I - 309.28 Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed
Mood, 305.00 Alcohol Abuse, 305.20 Cannabis Abuse. Axis II - V71.01 Adult Antisocial
Behavior (provisional). Axis III – none. Axis IV – covered below. Axis V – GAF – 67.
Treatment Plan: The intake took one session due to previous work with temperament and
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) work. Mom was attending most sessions at this point. The
first session targeted the memory of ‘dad yelling at me because of school,’ and the negative
cognition of ‘I am not able to stand up for myself.’ The positive cognition was ‘I am able to
stand up for myself.’ The positive cognition was changed as often occurs to ‘I am able to speak
my mind freely without worry of judgment.’ This memory was processed successfully and the
positive cognition installed.
The second session targeted ‘seeing drug paraphernalia around the house and mom gone
a lot.’ The negative cognition was ‘She cares more about the drugs than me.’ The positive ‘She
cares more about me than the drugs.’ The positive was changed during reprocessing to ‘Mom
cares about my well being and my emotions.’ This disturbing event was processed successfully
during the second session, and tactile methods were used versus eye movement.
In conclusion, I had begun to accept the possibility of an error in the provisional
diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder prior to EMDR sessions as the client was progressing
due to his spiritual movement. However it seems now that the hope he is holding is also a result
of two successful EMDR sessions of 5 and 9 distress levels has raised his confidence even more.
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That makes me optimistic that we can get to the core of his issues, process them, and come to a
healthy place.
In general with other EMDR clients I have found that ER’s often reveal distressing
matters. ER’s are helpful in identifying client stressors, creating synergy between the Adler and
EMDR protocols. Shapiro (2009, pg. 192-193) speaks of “blocking beliefs” which is very
Adlerian. Shapiro (2001) and her staff also indicate that many problems of today are rooted in
past incidents, of which over 80% disappear when processed properly.
Conclusion
This paper has reviewed a variety of tools available to Adlerian therapists to address
current industry trends and market conditions. It seems indisputable that adjustments such as
those described will become necessary in a world where change is fast, health options are more
tenuous, and proof of optimal economic value is required.
With that backdrop it is critical that all therapists adapt, including Adlerians. The tools
suggested do not tamper with the ‘soul’ of Adlerian theory, they enhance it. The day of assumed
routine long-term therapy is now vanishing in many cases. Long-term therapy is now generally
only available in very specialized situations or when the client is able to afford the therapy cost
themselves. Even then, a superior way for a therapist to earn long term therapy assignments will
likely be through previous success in short-term ‘gigs.’ Clients are expecting quick results more
and more. Without quick results therapist ‘shopping’ can perhaps become the norm.
This paper makes seven suggestions for Adlerians;
1.
Stay with Adlerian theories. Adlerian concepts have stood the test of time, and
when correctly understood underlie many other theories. By adding these tools to
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the ‘tool belt’ Adlerian practitioners can become more competitive in a rapidly
changing and highly difficult market.
2.
Learn to utilize computer-based genogram software of some type. It is a great way
to relate to the client(s) as you dialogue with them in the construction of their
genogram on-screen in session. It also provides an excellent way to prepare
presenting problem records, saving the therapist later administrative time, without
the documentation process seeming to be intrusive. It is often hardly noticed
when the client(s) begin by becoming interactively involved on the screen with
the therapist guiding them. Finally that data bank can be easily updated as new
information becomes available. It is recognized that the genogram is not
acknowledged as a classical brief therapy tool because it primarily looks
backwards. However tremendous information is collected using a historical
genogram. That information will eventually need to come out anyway in most
cases. Also with practice, therapists can learn to elicit current information and
install it into the genogram data.
3.
Utilize some personality assessment device such as the Arno Profile System
(APS) to enhance counselor/counselee repoire and provide rapid diagnostic
assistance compatible with Adlerian theory.
4.
Learn to perform brief life style analyses. Included in brief life style analyses are
early recollections. The suggested number of two but that is not mandatory, and
more are always better. As usual, at least two early recollections with negative
aspects are needed.
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5.
36
Practice Adlerian brief therapy as described by Bitter & Nicoll and the Walter’s
Brief Therapy Analysis. The Bitter & Nicoll protocol along with the Walton
Brief Lifestyle Analysis can make it possible for the clients to receive the help
they need within the limitations of the managed care model. The Bitter & Nicoll
protocol forces quickness, focus’ on immediate problems rather than classical
long term therapy, quick decision making regarding therapy options, and in
Adlerian terms, ‘movement.’
6.
Learn to use the computer for other tasks compatible with individual counselor
style. These include:
1. Assessments
2. Client documentation
3. Client assignments and printing of handout materials
4. Therapist prompting
5. Scheduling
6. Insurance processing
7. Search and printing of internet-based information
7. Learn techniques such as EMDR that expedite deep healing of earlier wounding.
Final Comment
It seems sad and inappropriate that Adler has not been recognized as the real ‘founder’ of
“practical psychology” or at least the contributor to many of the successful post modern therapy
theories and techniques. It seems that this may be due to two factors. First of all Adlerian theory
is difficult to systemize or confine within the bounds of a framework that can be explained in a
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single chapter of a book. Secondly Adler’s penchant for practicality does not lend itself to the
glamour necessary to earn limelight in standard academic or industry literature.
The hope of this paper is that therapist streamlining using the tools suggested within may
result in increased success and productivity for both client and therapist. It is my observation
that the use of these methods significantly increases productivity and results in much higher
client satisfaction. That said it requires more research with practitioners regarding the above
tools to ascertain whether or not the hypothesis advanced is valid. If these tools are adapted by
others, perhaps the day will come when that research will be undertaken.
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Appendix 1
Profile
Inclusion
Inclusion is social orientation and intellectual energies.
Choleric Temperament
1. Extrovert of a highly selective nature.
2. Appears people-oriented but is really task-oriented. She only socializes when it is beneficial to
her. She must have an agenda; otherwise, she feels that it is a waste of her valuable time.
3. Excellent organizer in social settings. She is capable of organizing small intimate meetings as
well large corporate functions.
4. Tends to work at a fast, steady pace. It is nearly impossible to keep up with her.
5. Has the need to take on and organize many social functions because of her need for
recognition. The more recognition she receives, the more she needs.
6. Appears to be bright, open, friendly, upbeat, and personable.
7. Has a cruel, abusive temper that she will use to motivate people if she cannot motivate them
with her charm.
8. Associates with people whom she can manipulate into meeting her goals. She also tends to be
critical of others when her idea of perfection is not realized.
9. Tough-minded, strong-willed. She will usually accomplish what she sets out to do, regardless
of the cost or consequences.
10. Needs recognition for accomplishments, and tends to get angry if she does not receive this
much-needed recognition. She is capable of doing a good job and she knows it!
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Control
Control is our willingness to make decisions and to accept responsibility for self and/or others.
Melancholy Temperament
1. Independent/self-motivated.
2. Expresses very little control over the lives and behaviors of others, and will not tolerate
control over her life and behaviors.
3. Makes decisions and takes on responsibilities very well when dealing in known areas (areas
previously dealt with).
4. Good leadership capabilities if she is allowed to move into unknown areas at her own pace.
5. Demands truth, order, reliability, and dependability from self and others.
6. If pressured into making decisions or taking on responsibility in unknown areas she tends to
procrastinate. If she is pressured long enough, she will rebel and become angry.
7. Must "appear" competent and in control.
8. When moving into unknown areas, requires time to build up her self-confidence. Others tend
to view this as procrastination.
9. Becomes angry if confronted for mistakes, criticized, or made to look foolish.
10. Tends to be legalistic, uncompromising, and rigid.
11. Becomes uneasy or anxious if she is solely responsible for anyone, including herself.
12. Will give advice when people ask, but will not pressure them to follow this advice.
Affection
Affection is the need to express and receive love, affection and approval. Need for deep personal
relationships.
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Sanguine Phlegmatic Temperament
1. Expresses a great deal of love and affection, and requires a moderate amount.
2. Expresses her love by hugging, touching, stroking, and kissing.
3. Has a dry or wry sense of humor that she uses to keep deep relationships from controlling her.
4. Protects her energy level, and tends to hold off her deep relationships from draining her energy
with her dry or wry sense of humor.
5. Optimistic. Believes if she tries harder, a relationship will eventually work out.
6. Has the capability of being able to handle a moderate amount of rejection from her deep
personal relationships.
7. Has outbursts of anger; however, her anger does not last long. Five minutes after she explodes
she forgets what made her angry.
8. After a deep relationship has been established, she can become demanding, and require a
moderate amount of love and affection from them.
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Counseling Suggestions
Based on the Basic Traits of her Inclusion, Control and Affection, the following is a composite
list of the most vital needs that this counselee has, i.e., the need:
INCLUSION: C
1. to learn to respect the rights and feelings of other people.
2. to learn to respect people as unique creations of God so that she does not use them as "tools"
for her own purposes. She tends to use people in order to accomplish her goals.
3. to learn to deal with her anger constructively and in ways pleasing to God. She tends to be
cruel and abusive when she cannot motivate people to do what she wants them to do or, if they
withhold recognition and/or approval.
4. to learn to give herself and others the right to be imperfect so that she is less critical of herself
and others.
5. to look to God for recognition for her accomplishments.
CONTROL: M
1. to not be forced to take on responsibilities or make decisions with which she is not
comfortable.
2. to learn to submit to authorities while maintaining control of her own personal life.
3. to not be forced to take full responsibility for others.
4. to not be offended, insulted, criticized, confronted for mistakes or made to look foolish or
incompetent.
5. to “appear” competent and in control. The need to “appear” competent is more important than
the competency itself.
6. for truth, order, reliability, and dependability.
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7. to learn to trust God with her life and her future in order to reduce her fear of the unknown.
AFFECTION: GP
1. to learn to receive love and affection from her deep relationships so they do not feel alienated
from her. She tends to express a great deal of love and affection; however, she only wants a
moderate amount in return. This is because of her low energy.
2. to learn not to use her dry or wry sense of humor to keep her deep relationships from draining
her low energy. This dry or wry sense of humor can be frustrating and irritating to her deep
relationships because they do not know if she is serious or joking.
3. to learn to interact with God. This will lessen her anxiety when forced to be away from her
deep relationships, and lessen her desire for sexual sins.
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Special Notes to the Counselor
NOTE! This entire report is based on this counselee's temperament, not actual behavior. It is
your responsibility as a counselor to determine if her actual behavior is conducive to her
temperament. The wider the gap between temperament and actual behavior, the greater the
counselee's anxiety levels. The accuracy is subject to the counselee's honesty in response to the
questions. Environment and learned behavior may magnify or lessen the intensity of a person's
temperament.
Based on her Inclusion and Control scores, the N.C.C.A./S.A.C.C. recommends that you
approach this counselee as follows:
You, the counselor, must make her feel accepted. You must be personable, but not overly
warm. She appears to be warm and friendly and to like people. She is task-oriented and
only socializes because it is politically or monetarily advantageous for her in order to be
“well-liked.” She needs people in order to accomplish her goals and she views socializing
as a required activity for this purpose. In order to motivate this person to change or alter
her behavior pattern, you should focus on her fear of social rejection and loss of
recognition for her accomplishments. She is a rebel and she is self-motivated. It is
important that you provide her with the facts and her options then allow her to make her
own decisions. She has a fear of the unknown and a fear of making a fool of herself. She
must be provided with ample time to build up her self-confidence before entering into a
new or "unknown" area of responsibility or to make any significant changes in her life.
Truth and reliability are important to her; therefore, if provided with the proper facts, she
normally makes the right choice. She needs you to be reliable and dependable. She tends
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to become angry if confronted for mistakes; and she is very self-protective. You need to
approach her by saying: "Other people with your temperament tend to be..."
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Appendix 2
Comparisons of the Arno and LaHaye Profile Systems
The only other temperament product of consequence at the time of this paper with an
interactively produced profile seems to be that of Dr. Tim LaHaye (LaHaye, 2010). LaHaye
utilizes the four factor temperament model. His product is approximately the same cost as
Arno’s. There are major differences as to report content and value however, and particularly
from the standpoint of Adlerian therapy.
LaHaye’s reports do not break down into Adlerian-like life tasks. That is a huge
disadvantage because clients relate well to considering their psychological state from the point of
view of the different life tasks. I have found that it is also rare to find that all three life tasks are
of the same temperament type in an individual. This broader perspective of the life tasks added
by Arno as compared to LaHaye enhances the Adlerian counselors’ therapeutic process. The
reason is that pooling all life tasks into a single personality profile simply does not afford enough
understanding to fathom the depths of the typical client. Humans are simply too complex. If
anything it might be interesting if future temperament products map to the additional life tasks
proposed by Adlerians after Adler’s work was cut short by his premature death in 1937.
Secondly, LaHaye presents his findings in paragraph form in a letter, rather than breaking
his profiles down point by point as Arno does. The point by point method makes it easy to
consider and validate individual points of a person’s profile, and when working with a couple or
family it is simple to compare significant differences. The point by point method also enables
connection with Adler’s Lexicon. That process of comparison and connection, taken with the
combination of the client’s in session validation or invalidation of individual points and the
understanding that temperament may be a life-long characteristic, often creates an environment
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
46
of collaboration. That is especially true when a ‘weakness’ or a ‘strength’ is revealed which
results in the holder of that weakness or strength displaying readiness to put effort into positive
movement or accepting the encouragement that confirmation of positive traits provides. It is
clear that individuals can make temperament adjustments and take advantage when made aware,
even though those adjustments may take them some distance from their natural state. In fact
making those adjustments is a matter of the will and client commitment once awareness has been
created, as Adler would likely concur.
Thirdly there is a wide degree of positive variability of the Arno over the LaHaye within
each temperament type since a ten point dual rating scale is used by Arno. The dual feature of
the Arno profile has to do with the fact that each of Adler and Arno’s life tasks are delivered by
Arno with an ‘expressed’ and a ‘wanted’ valuation. That is to say the profile reveals, for
example, a client’s natural predisposition to both ‘get or give’ something, such as the emotion of
love. That refinement applies with every factor within each life task when the Arno system is
utilized. The ten point rating scale provides the degree of correlation with a particular
temperament type. LaHaye does not consider life tasks or gradations of temperament degree, nor
is the fifth temperament type available.
A possible advantage of the LaHaye model over the Arno are the occupational
recommendations. Arno implies some vocational characteristics but provides no specific career
area help. Both profiles have some content on the ‘expanded’ Adlerian life task of spirituality,
with the LaHaye system making spirituality a primary focus that is difficult to ignore.
The content breakdown for my profile using both systems follows. It should be noted that
the LaHaye print is much more dense, perhaps 30-40% more so than Arno, making exact page
number comparisons somewhat invalid:
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47
Factor
Arno
LaHaye
# of total pages in the report
7
12
# diagnosis pages in the report
4
2
# counselor advice pages
3
0
# secular occupation pages
0
1
# spiritually related pages
0
4
# problem awareness pages
0
3
# pages regarding marital status
0
2
The point I am attempting to make here is that very little quick diagnosis and advice help
is provided by the LaHaye report as compared with the Arno, while many pages that are more
extraneous to most Adlerian therapy situations dominate in LaHaye’s product.
Therefore it seems reasonable to conclude that if a therapist sees value in temperament
analysis for brief or longer-term therapy the Arno product (www.ncca.org) makes the most
sense. However that said the LaHaye product is available to anyone logging in to the internet,
whereas the Arno product requires extensive training.
STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
48
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STREAMLINING ADLERIAN THEORY
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