Adlerian Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Similarities and Distinctions John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D. University of Montana On behalf of Adler.edu – April 4, 2019 Email: john.sf@mso.umt.edu Website: https://johnsommersflanagan.com/

Hello From Montana My earliest recollection (1962) My earliest recollection of Individual Psychology and Adlerian Therapy (J. Carlson, 1993)

From SF & SF (2018, p. 59) We often wonder about Alfred Adler. Who was this man whose theories and approach predate and contribute substantially to ego psychology (Chapter 2), the cognitive therapies (Chapter 8), reality therapy (Chapter 9), feminist therapy (Chapter 10), and constructive perspectives (Chapter 11)? How did he develop—over 100 years ago—influential and diverse ideas that are foundational to so many different approaches to therapy, and so thoroughly infused into contemporary culture? His beliefs were so advanced that he seems an anomaly: He’s like a man from the future who landed in the middle of Freud’s inner circle in Vienna.

Today’s Agenda (from CBT) Missing Adler Fundamental principles of CB-theory Where do they fit in Individual Psychology Case Vignette #1: Pushbutton Case Vignette #2: Early (Emotional) Recollections Discussion and conclusions

Missing Adler Albert Ellis, not typically one to lavish praise on anyone, wrote a tribute to Alfred Adler, in which he referred to him as the “true father of modern psychotherapy” (Ellis, 1970, p. 11). Similarly, Ellenberger (1970) wrote, “It would not be easy to find another author from which so much has been borrowed from all sides without acknowledgement, than Adler” (p. 645).

A CBT + IP Venn Diagram IP CBT

Basic Principles IP – Adlerian Therapy CBT – Cognitive and Behavioral Theory Behavior is purposeful and multi-determined: We are pulled toward our fictional goals or “guiding self-ideal” (Watts & Holden, 1994). Behavior is determined by its consequences . . . and our interpretation of its meaning. Style of Life (emphasis on childhood) - Basic mistakes: “. . . we . . . undo the great errors, to substitute smaller errors, and to reduce these . . . until they are no longer harmful” (Adler, 1964, p. 187). Cognitive Schema or Schemata obviously come from experience, but we don’t need to talk about the past. - Cognitions are evaluated in terms of their accuracy and utility Social Interest or Gemeinschaftsgefühl - So much to say here (Carlson & Englar-Carlson, 2017) Prosocial behaviors are desirable, perhaps sometimes even “a” goal of therapy Striving for Superiority (completeness) and Inferiority Compensation Social Dominance is a function of schema and reinforcement Tasks of Life – Much of therapy is to develop courage to face the tasks of life. Functional Assessment – Can clients manage activities of daily living?

Basic Principles (cont) IP – Adlerian Therapy CBT – Cognitive and Behavioral Theory Encouragement Behavior is determined by its consequences . . . and our interpretation of its meaning. Along with basic mistakes and excessive self-interest, psychopathology involves discouragement or lacking courage to face challenges inherent in the basic life tasks (Watts, 2013). Lack of positive reinforcement can cause depression (and discouragement) Natural and logical consequences Punishment is not viewed as useful Positive reinforcement and response cost (logical consequences) are effective The psychological goals (purpose) of misbehavior are mitigated when children feel a sense of belonging and usefulness Behavior is a function of its consequences, but self-efficacy is a product of beliefs about oneself and the social environment Others

Two Case Vignettes These cases illustrate two technical strategies that I made up (from Mosak and others and CBT) Let’s contemplate these cases together. Are they more Adlerian Therapy or more CBT, or can we even make this distinction?

Case Vignette #1: Pushbutton For a video example of the Three-Step Emotional Change (Pushbutton) Trick, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITWhMYANC5c Dudley – a 10-year-old referred for symptoms of defiance

The Three-Step Pushbutton (cont) First – Form the therapeutic relationship Then – Lifestyle assessment . . . Interpretation and insight . . . Reorientation Step 1: Feel the feeling Step 2: Think a new thought (or do something different) Step 3: Spread the good mood Step 4: 

The Three-Step Pushbutton (cont) Questions for reflection. In what way is this case consistent with Adlerian Therapy? In what way is this case consistent with CBT? How useful and important is it to make distinctions between these approaches?

Case Vignette #2: Early (Emotional) Recollections Misty, a 19-year-old college freshman [J. G. Watkins, a hypnoanalytic psychotherapist (1971)] Form the therapeutic relationship – We engaged in goal alignment (EBRFs: see https://johnsommersflanagan.com/2017/09/01/evidence-based-relationship-factors-in-counseling-and-psychotherapy/)

Early (Emotional) Recollections Lifestyle assessment (Emotional focusing – anger – and an early anger recollection) Take me back to a time when . . . Long ago . . . You felt anger like that before. Listen to the stories

Early (Emotional) Recollections Interpretation and insight (Shaming and/or Abandonment/rejection; these are the “triggers” that activate the basic mistakes) Reorientation (Interpretation and insight lay the motivational foundation for change. Now we do the work together.)

Early (Emotional) Recollections (cont) Questions for reflection. In what way is this case consistent with Adlerian Therapy? In what way is this case consistent with CBT? How useful and important is it to make distinctions between these approaches?

Distinctions A bi-directional bridge between science and practice vs. a more open system involving a bi-directional bridge between theory and science and practice and other phenomena Broadly, we develop core beliefs: These beliefs affect our past, present, and future vs. the style of life [Maybe history is better leverage than CBT folks allow for]

Distinctions II How about? Encouragment Social interest or the big G Inferiority/superiority All these are operating in CBT, whether we acknowledge them or not

Distinctions III How about the pan-theoretical cure? Counterconditioning Mary Cover Jones: “We associated the fear-object with a craving-object, and replaced the fear by a positive response.” Look around. What are Adlerians’ pairing with distress??

Today’s Concluding Reflections What will you remember? What do you want to explore further? You know about Adlerpedia. Please check out Johnsommersflanagan.com for free material on Adler: https://johnsommersflanagan.com/tag/adler/

JSF Books with a Little Adler

Final Questions Questions for me?