Adlerian Therapy: Overcoming Inferiority and Finding Your Place in the World

At the core of Adlerian therapy is the belief that individuals are not merely the product of their past but have the capacity for change and growth. Adler proposed that people are motivated by the need to overcome feelings of inferiority and achieve superiority, not in an arrogant sense, but through striving to improve and contribute to the community. This idea of striving for success is central to understanding human behavior and helps guide the therapeutic process.

One of the key principles of Adlerian therapy is the importance of social interest, or Gemeinschaftsgefühl. Social interest refers to the ability to empathize with others, contribute to society, and feel connected to a larger community. Adler believed that a lack of social interest or an individual’s sense of isolation could lead to psychological distress. Therapy, therefore, aims to foster greater social interest and help individuals develop a sense of belonging within their social groups.