Alfred Adler, a psychiatrist in turn-of-the-century Vienna, was a member of Freud's Vienna Circle until he and several other members of the group left because of differing theoretical orientations. Adler was one of the first theorists to provide family and group counseling and to use public education to teach psychological concepts to the general public as a way of improving the human condition. He was interested in the human condition and emphasized the importance of nurturing feelings of belonging in everyone. Equality, civil rights, mutual respect, and the advancement of democracy are values shared by Adler and his students.

Adler died in 1937 in Scotland while on a lecture tour. His daughter, Dr. Alexandra Adler, finished the lecture series and helped found the Alfred Adler Insitute of New York. Another of Adler's close colleagues, Rudolf Dreikurs, M.D., began his own mission of educating people all over the world about Adler's theories and methodologies. He lectured in prisons, schools, and health care settings.

In 1952, Dreikurs founded the Alfred Adler Institute (now the Adler School of Professional Psychology) in Chicago. Dreikurs and his colleagues, including Bernard Shulman, M.D., Harold Mosak, Ph.D., and Robert Powers, traveled the United States and Canada, establishing Adlerian training that continues today in Chicago and Vancouver. Dreikurs' wife, Sadie "Tee" Dreikurs, combined her passions for art and Adlerian psychology, creating one of the first art therapy training programs in the country.

The Adler School continues to apply Adler's vision to today's social problems. The School's curricula prepare professionals to address social and global challenges as well as the needs of marginalized and underserved populations. The Dreikurs Center offers training to students and provides services to the community through its Chicago Loop clinic, prisons, schools, and other settings.

Adler's model was conceived during the days leading to the World War I. Adler's vision remains valuable and relevant as we face the present and future challenges for our communities.

"It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them," Adler said.