Counselor Theory and Application & Critique: Adlerian Therapy

Application
Adlerian Therapy was built on holistic foundation. Adlerian therapists believe that human behavior is goal-oriented and that humans can best be understood by observing how they try to achieve their goals. Adlerian Therapists believe that a persons lifestyle, which is developed based on influences such as family constellation, family atmosphere, and early conclusions about how to best fit into the family, guides how they approach their goals throughout life. Adlerian therapists also believe that emotional and psychological problems occur when a persons is unsuccessful at reaching their goals due to their mistaken life style beliefs about how to achieve ones goals. Clients of Adlerian Therapy are asked to assessments based on their lifestyles and family dynamics. Once insight into the clients mistaken beliefs is gained the therapist encourages the client to implement changes to their lifestyle. African American males respond well to a holistic approach to therapy, so Adlerian therapist can be effective when working with African American males. Adlerian therapy also addresses social equality issues and social involvement. Adlerian therapists address the importance of the cultural context, healthy living, valuing individuals based on their goals and purposes, and exercising freedom within the constraints of society. Adlerian therapists recognize the effects of racism, social class and gender on

the behavior of individuals. Adlerian therapy focuses on the person in a social context and encourages clients to define themselves within their social environments. The Adlerian therapeutic process is guided by the clients culture and worldview rather than a preconceived model. Adlerian therapists also aim to understand the individual in a sociocultural and familial context; which includes the clients need to contribute to others, to belong and to be a part of a
collective spirit. This aspect of Adlerian Therapy is congruent to the African American males worldview. African American males value their role in the community, the welfare of their social group and their loyalty to their family.

Critique
The Adlerian approach focuses on the self as the locus of change and responsibility. This type of focus teaches clients that they are responsible for making changes in their lives and that they have control over their lives. This thought process can be problematic when working with African American male clients whose problems may be due to circumstances outside of their control. African American male clients will most likely present with problems related to racism. Adlerian therapists use the concepts of birth order and family constellation which is designed to be used with the western nuclear family. Many African American males are a part of blended and extended families. African American male clients may also view these activities as

unnecessary. They may have a hard time discussing thins that may not seem connected to their more pressing concerns.
Counselor Theory and Application & Critique: A Quick Look at More Traditional Theories

Gestalt Therapy
Application

If Gestalt interventions are used flexibly and timed appropriately they can be useful with African American males. Gestalt therapists aim to receive each client in an open way and Gestalt experiments can be tailored to fit the unique way that an individual perceives and interprets his or her culture. Gestalt therapists discuss their views and biases in dialogue with their clients during session. This could be helpful in working with African American males because the client may feel understood by discussing biases with the therapist. Gestalt therapy is also effective in helping people integrate the polarities within themselves. Many biracial clients, those with one African American parent and one parent from another race, experience an ongoing struggle to develop a sense of identity. They may need guidance in appreciating the aspects of the two cultures in which they live.

Critique

Gestalt methods tend to produce a high level of intense feelings in clients. If Gestalt experiments, are introduced too quickly with African American males some problems will most likely arise. African American males are socialized to believe that expressing feelings openly is a sign of weakness. African American males may be reluctant to be vulnerable during the early stages of therapy.

Behavior Therapy
Application

Behavior counseling does not generally focus on expressing feelings and sharing personal concerns. African American males may be comfortable with this approach because they are not socialized to express emotions. Behavior counseling stresses developing problem-solving skills and changing specific behaviors. The behavioral approach has several potential strengths in working with African American male clients. These strengths include its specificity, problemsolving orientation, focus on cognition and behavior, action orientation, dealing with the present more than the past, task orientation, and teaching coping strategies. Many African American males may be looking for therapy that offers them concrete methods for dealing with their problems. They may appreciate the use of action plans and the focus on specific behavioral change. The Behavioral approach also acknowledges the social and cultural aspects of the clients life by analyzing the clients behavior in their social environment. Behavior therapists aim also gain an understanding of the clients cultural conception of their problem behaviors while establishing specific therapeutic goals and employing appropriate social influence agents. When working with African American males, Behavior Therapists should assess the cultural context in which the problem behavior occurs. The behavior therapist should discuss in session, the effects of making behavioral changes on the client and the clients sociocultural environment.

Critique
Behavior therapists do not take into consideration race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation when working with clients. Some African American male clients may take time in trusting European American therapists due to experiencing racism. If a therapist is not culturally sensitive, he/she might interpret this as a discomfort with therapy rather than a discomfort with racial differences. Behavior therapists may decide on goals for therapy without discussing the challenges that will come with change.

Narrative Therapy
Application

Narrative therapy can be relevant to African American males who like to express themselves through writing. Narrative therapy identifies problems in a sociocultural context. Problems do not exist within the individual; rather they are identified within the clients social, cultural, political, and relational environments. Narrative therapists will pay attention to the role that gender, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, social class, and spirituality and religion play in their clients issues. In utilizing Narrative Therapy, clients can re-author the social constructions and identity narratives that they find problematic.

Critique

African American males tend to view the therapist as the expert and value a more directive approach. Narrative therapists assume a not-knowing stance, and view the client as the expert of themselves. This approach may be too unstructured for African American males.

Conclusion
It is important to note that different theoretical approaches may be successfully used with clients presenting with varying issues. For example, research shows that Behavioral Therapy is more effective when used with African Americans presenting with anxiety. (Hays & Erford, 2010) Therefore it is important for counselors not to commit themselves to using one theoretical approach for every African American Male client that they work with.