Monday, July 25
IP in a Changing World – Eva Dreikurs Ferguson
Adlerian Psychology, called Individual Psychology (IP) because of its emphasis on the whole individual, applies to all aspects of human relationships. As society changes, so do its human relationships. How family members interact with one another, how people interact in the workplace, the expectations that people have in all kinds of relationships change as society changes. Adlerians understand and promote IP principles and practices for improving human well-being and functioning. This plenary addresses such IP principles and practices as applied in contemporary society.
Learning Objectives:
Tuesday, July 26
Avoid the Rabbit Hole of Treating Symptoms of Addictive Behaviors – Jim Holder
Learn how Individual Psychology helps us understand how addictive behaviors can give the individual a sense of superiority moving them from a negative to a perceived positive feeling state. Early recollections will guide the clinician to the client’s addiction (symptom) of choice and their style of life.
Learning Objectives:
Wednesday, July 27
Explore your Personal Leadership Thread (PLT) to Thrive with Change – Peggy Pelonis
Participants will engage in a thought experiment involving leadership in order to explore their Personal Leadership Thread (PLT) as well the stages and Process of Change. This thought experiment will involve self-reflection that will assist individuals to understand how one’s leadership approach and style is shaped by past experiences and beliefs about the world, role models and private logic. Participants will also self-reflect on how their PTL influences their style of coping with change in each of the stages and will ponder strengths and areas in need of growth.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will recognize their Personal Leadership Thread as it applies to Change.
- Participants will be able to summarize the Process of Change and the stages within.
- Participants will be able to assess how their PLT influences their coping with Change.
Thursday, July 28
Exploring Lifestyle in Adlerian Play Therapy – Terry Kottman
In this experiential plenary session, you will learn and practice several Adlerian play therapy techniques for exploring clients’ lifestyles.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe at least 1 art technique for exploring clients’ lifestyles in Adlerian play therapy.
- Participants will be able to name and describe 1 adventure therapy technique for exploring clients’ lifestyles in Adlerian play therapy.
- Participants will be able to name and describe at least 1 structured play technique for exploring clients’ lifestyles in Adlerian play therapy.
Friday, July 29
Lifestyle, Goals, and Priorities – Ursula Oberst
Lifestyle is often defined as the individual’s unique and goal-oriented way of facing the life tasks (love, work and communal life). According to Adler, behavior cannot be fully understood unless we know the person’s specific goal. Dreikurs identified belongingness as the ultimate goal of all people. Despite Adler’s and Dreikurs’ warning against using personality types instead of lifestyle, theories about Adlerian personality priorities have been developed and are used in specific contexts. This presentation will explain the connections and differences between lifestyle, goals, and personality priorities; moreover, in this presentation, priorities are not understood as personality types, but as the individual’s preferred strategy that is used when the individual’s sense of belongingness is thwarted.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define the differences between lifestyle and priorities.
- Participants will be able to critically discuss the notion of Adlerian Personality Priorities.
- Participants will be able to differentiate between goals and strategies.
