Adlerian Group Counseling and Psychotherapy

Manford A. Sonstegard writes the article "The Theory and Practice of Adlerian Group Counseling and Psychotherapy", published in Journal of Individual Psychology [Vol 54 (2)], to explain that group therapy is well-suited for the Adlerian approach since Adler strived to understand people in their social environment. Many supporting points follow this main idea including the following: clients with faulty lifestyles need reorientation and reeducation which the group provides since it is a value-forming agent. Reorientation leads to social interest, a community feeling or concern for other humans (Sonstegard, 1998c). Additional perspectives of reorientation are available in various periodicals (Clark, 1984; Dinkmeyer, 1975; Sonstegard, 1998a).

Further points that support the harmony between the Adlerian approach and group therapy are that groups produce shared experiences that lessen the burden of an individual (Sonstegard, 1998c); people act natural around their peers which helps assess their personalities and attitudes (Sonstegard, 1998c). [Peer relationships in counseling is a major issue in journals about counseling children (Sonstegard, 1998b)]; change begins with awareness which emerges from peer interaction and support in groups (Sonstegard, 1998c); groups are ideal since many people, particularly children, experience loneliness (Sonstegard, 1998c). [Isolation is further discussed in articles dealing with marriage counseling (Ionedes, 1982)]; groups provide faith and hope: peer encouragement is the major step in reorientation (Sonstegard, 1998c); and group counseling often occurs in schools (Sonstegard, 1998c). [Group counseling in schools is discussed further in other periodicals (Kern, 1977; Hoffmann, 1975; McCollum, 1974; Stormer 1969; Taylor, 1974)].

Adler's main concepts that are incorporated into group counseling include holism, fictional goals, teleology (goal-formation), hermeneutics (personal interpretation), private logic, and social interest. Sonstegard concludes the article by emphasizing the significance of using group counseling and psychotherapy in the Adlerian approach (Sonstegard, 1998c).

Finally, Sonstegard's article is intended for a varied audience. It specifically appeals to parents of children with behavior problems since it discusses children's behavior in group settings and includes four goals of misbehavior: attention-getting, 2) power struggle, 3) revenge, and 4) assumed disability (Sonstegard, 1998c). More perspectives on childhood behavioral difficulties are available in other journals (Hoffman, 1975; Kern, 1977; Taylor, 1974). Then, this article applies to adults who feel alone or have children who feel alone. A major audience includes counselors and teachers in schools since schools are the main places that use group counseling. The audience is also composed of counselors in hospitals, community agencies, and correctional agencies (Sonstegard, 1998c).

Sources

Clark , A.J., & Seals, J. M. (1984). Group counseling for ridiculed children. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 9, 157-162.

Dinkmeyer, D. (1975). Adlerian group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 25, 219-226.

Hoffmann, F.J. (1975). Use of the Adlerian model in secondary school counseling and consulting. Individual Psychologist, 12, 27-32.

Ionedes , N.S. (1982). Therapy program for contemporary marital crises. Indivdidual Psychology, 38, 332-337.

Kern, R.M., & Hankins, G. (1977). Adlerian group counseling with contracted homework. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 11, 284-290.

McCollum, P.S., & Anderson, R.P. (1974). Group counseling with reading disabled children. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 21, 150-155.

Sonstegard, M.A., & Bitter, J.R. (1998a). Adlerian group counseling: step by step. Journal of Individual Psychology, 54, 176-216.

Sonstegard, M.A., & Bitter, J.R. (1998b). Counseling children in groups. Journal of Individual Psychology, 54, 251-267.

Sonstegard, M.A., & Bitter, J.R. (1998c). The theory and practice of Adlerian group counseling and psychotherapy. Journal of Individual Psychology, 54, 217-250.

Stormer, G.E., & Kirby, J.H. (1969). Adlerian group counseling in the elementary school: report of a program. Journal of Individual Psychology, 25, 155-163.

Taylor , W.F., & Hoedt, K.C. (1974). Classroom-related behavior problems: counsel parents, teachers, or children? Journal of Counseling Psychology, 21, 3-8.