Two Approaches To Adlerian Brief Therapy - Buncombe County ...

Adlerian Brief Therapy 14
Commentaries in brackets have been added to highlight various aspects of
relational interventions and strategies.
Forming A Relationship
Therapist: We’ve met before. Do you remember where?
Client: Butte, Montana, I believe.
Therapist: Butte. Ah, yes. And I met you this morning coming out of
my hotel room door, because you’re across the hall from me.
(Pause)
So what would you like to see going better in your life? I’m
not going to go into it right now. I’m just going to get a
picture of it so I have a focus.
Client: That’s the problem. I was thinking as I was coming here:
“Gosh, I don’t know if I should be coming to you, because I
don’t know who I am and I don’t know what I want.”
Therapist: Okay, so would one way of thinking about it be that there is
some confusion in your life?
Client: Yes. [A possible, but undisclosed, purpose for confusion is that it
keeps the person from moving, from having to make a decision, or
taking a stand.]
Therapist: Are you at a point where you like the confusion or where
you would like some clarity?
Client: No, I’d like some clarity, and I’d like to get things settled.