Alderian Approach to a Behavior Problem Susan M. presents as the mother of a nine y

...seeking undue attention, gets involved in power struggles, seeks revenge or tends to withdraw.

The boy has not only been involved in disruptive behavior in school (which resulted in the referral of the case to this psychologist), he has also been involved in fights with other children in the neighborhood. While primarily the child's behavior is aggressive, there are those moments when he seems to simply give up, grows quiet and uncommunicative, withdrawing from everyone.

Susan describes herself as feeling great frustration over the child's behavior as well as having feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness concerning changing the boy's behavior. Upon further inquiry into these sentiments, it was determined that, for about a month, Susan has been experiencing sleep disturbances (insomnia), poor appetite, feelings of self-reproach and worthlessness, and difficulties concentrating--all of which are associated with clinical depression (see: American Psychiatric Association, 1987).

Selected Intervention and Selection Rationale

The intervention approach selected for this case is the Adlerian approach. First, this approach is selected because Adler's theoretical notions of human behavior and treatment of dysfunctional behavior was specifically developed using a focus on feelings of worthlessness and inferiority---feelings which accord with Susan M.'s depressive sta

. . .
h Susan M. would be to establishing a collaborative therapist-client relationship which would then be used to help Susan change her perceptions and to better understand the purposes of her behavior. In this regard, a comprehensive assessment of client functioning and family dynamics would be compiled in order to arrive at an understanding of Susan's major successes and failures in life. Early childhood memories would be examined as they relate to the development of the private logic underlying her depression. Therapeutic efforts would focus not only on providing Susan with increased insight into the nature of her depression (how it is caused and maintained) but also on what she needs to do differently in order to have the depression lift. In Adlerian theory, most psychopathological conditions are viewed as arising from discouragement of one sort or another. The answer to this problem is, therefore, to encourage the client. Accordingly, Susan M. would be encouraged to believe that she can take action to change her perspective and ways of dealing with life. Similarly, she would be encouraged to change her perspective and ways of dealing with her child. Remediating Child's Behavior and Susan's Interaction with him. It can be
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Therapeutic Susan, Nor Adlerian, Finally Susan, Susan's Interaction, , Remediating Depression, Regarding Adler's, Selection Rationale, Accordingly Susan, Susan M's, adlerian approach, child's behavior, private logic, american psychiatric, power struggles, undue attention, approach selected, adlerian theory, american psychiatric association, psychiatric association, adlerian theory hold, feelings inferiority, undue attention seeking, feelings self-reproach worthlessness, child's problematic behavior,
Approximate Word count = 1670
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)