Editor’s note: Adler University is educating changemakers. In this new series, Alum Journeys, we’ll meet many of our former students who are now impacting how communities thrive.

For 2019 graduate John Gingrich, earning his master’s degree at Adler University was more than an academic milestone; it was a journey of self-discovery that connected him to his family legacy in profound ways.

Gingrich’s grandfather, Gary Lehman, studied under Rudolf Dreikurs, a pioneering figure in Adlerian psychology and co-founder of the Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago — now Adler University.  More than five decades later, this connection shaped Gingrich’s experience when he followed in similar footsteps as a Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy student at Adler’s Canadian campus in Vancouver.

Gingrich, a Chicago native, fondly recalls his grandfather’s enthusiasm about his decision to study at Adler University.

“My grandfather, now 87 and living in Indiana, was thrilled when I chose this path. He attended several of Dreikurs’ seminars in the mid-1960s as part of his professional development,” Gingrich said. “He went through some of the Adlerian exercises related to early childhood experiences, which he found transformative for both himself and his clients. It was clear that these exercises had a profound impact on his approach to therapy.”

A rainbow quilt mural created by John Gingrich

Recently, Gingrich learned from his mother, Laurie, that his grandfather — her father — once remarked on Dreikurs’ exceptional skills during a therapy demonstration, noting his ability “to cut through the heart of inner blocks that the participants would often have when they came up on stage.”

This shared legacy of Adlerian principles not only deepened Gingrich’s connection to his grandfather’s work but also reinforced the value of the therapeutic practices they both embraced.

Lehman’s career spanned over 30 years, during which he worked as a social worker, clinical director, and guidance counselor, embodying the principles he learned from Dreikurs.

In following his grandfather’s footsteps, today, Gingrich is a licensed graduate professional counselor in Maryland with a passion for art and art therapy.

Gingrich painting a mural.

“The Adler program was exceptional, offering a diverse range of practicum sites,” he said. “I was also part of a cohort with 13 people from all over the world, and I was the only male. Being around so many wise women was really valuable.”

One of those women was Duanita G. Eleniak, Ph.D., his program director.

“Dr. Eleniak focused on transpersonal psychology — beyond the self or something larger than yourself,” Gingrich said. “I’m actually a Buddhist practitioner myself, so by having her guidance, I was able to learn the clinical applications of how to help people connect with that and find purpose. She strongly influenced the theoretical orientations I decided to pursue.”

Today, in his current work at two Maryland-based practices, Gingrich uses “the combination of the Internal Family Systems model with psychedelic and art therapy” in working with his full slate of clients — at least until summer, when he pares down his client schedule. Summer, for him, is mural season.

Gingrich is also a co-founder of “A Good Universe,” an artist collective of mural painters that provide community- and commercial-based painting services and licensed therapy for individuals, businesses, municipalities, and other organizations in North America.

In one of those projects this past summer, Gingrich partnered with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. As part of this initiative, artists collaborated with community organizations to design Chicago Transit Authority train wraps and eight neighborhood murals.

When Gingrich looks back at his time at Adler, he says there are two main things that have stuck with him, which he hopes current and future students also take away after their time at Adler: the importance of community psychology and prioritizing one’s well-being.

“Self-care was drilled into us at Alder,” he said. “When I started, I wanted to help and save everyone. But you have to respect yourself first, and then you’ll be able to show up better for your client.”

Gingrich’s commitment to creating change through both individual and community-focused efforts exemplifies the Adlerian principle of impacting the broader community.

“When it comes to our field, it’s not only working with people one-on-one,” he said. “It’s about how we can try to make the greatest impact, whether working with individuals or communities and how can we affect things on a larger scale to create social change, which is a core aspect of Adlerian psychology that I continue to embrace.”