Give Apply Info

Request Information

You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

Okay

By submitting this form, I am giving Adler University consent to contact me by email, telephone and/or text messaging at the address(es) and telephone number(s) provided above, including wireless, even if I am on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call Registry. This consent includes contact via automated means. I understand that consent is not required to attend Adler University. The Adler University Privacy Policy governs our data collection policy.

legal disclaimer

Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy Psy.D. Emphasis

Back to Program Overview

Specialize your Psy.D. Program with an Emphasis in Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy

Students enrolled in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program can choose an emphasis to focus on a specific area in clinical psychology. Students apply to an emphasis of choice during their first or second year of study. During their first year, students interested in pursuing an emphasis should become acquainted with admissions criteria for their emphasis of choice, meet with the emphasis coordinator during the first year in the program, and attend emphasis activities.

Request Program Information

Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy Psy.D. Program

Adlerian theory is a strength based and collaborative practice that emphasizes encouragement, belonging, and empowerment. We examine past and present conscious and nonconscious motivations and schemas or convictions in their social-cultural context. We conceptualize symptom development from a biopsychosocial viewpoint emphasizing the reaction to lack of felt equality and belonging in the community.

Adlerian theory combines systemic, cognitive-behavioral and psychoanalytic theory. Systemic in that we understand clients’ conscious and unconscious motivations and behaviors after reviewing the multiple systems and relationships they are embedded in. Adlerians examine the current cognitive schemas and behaviors and value understanding clients using a biopsychosocial approach. We inquire about the dynamics of the family of origin and value the therapeutic relationship.

Impact of Some Adlerians & Adler

  • Person-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Cognitive Theory, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Logotherapy, Strategic therapy, Constructivist therapy, Positive Psychology, and Family Therapy can trace their origins in Adlerian ideas (Carlson & Englar-Carlson, 2017).
  • Mamie and Kenneth B. Clarks’ dolls studies influence the decision in favor of not segregating children in school in Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka.
  • The school founders’ Rudolf Dreikurs, Bernie Shulman, and Harold Mosak helped to establish the Illinois Psychological Act creating the license for clinical psychologists.
  • Adlerian parent education and Adlerian play therapy are Evidence-Based Practice.

Training Requirements

Student can either attend the NASAP Annual conference (two days of full training), ICASSI (one week of activities), or watch previously recorded case consultation hours (15 hours) on adlerpedia.org.

Dissertation Requirement

Doctoral students seeking this emphasis must have an Adlerian focus for their dissertation. However, this focus may include other areas of interest.

Total Credit Hours Required: 15

Request Information

      You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

      Okay

      By submitting this form, I am giving Adler University consent to contact me by email, telephone and/or text messaging at the address(es) and telephone number(s) provided above, including wireless, even if I am on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call Registry. This consent includes contact via automated means. I understand that consent is not required to attend Adler University. The Adler University Privacy Policy governs our data collection policy.

      legal disclaimer

      Explore More

      President Crossman Addresses Xenophobia and Injustice Related to the Coronavirus Crisis

      Adler University President Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., encourages reflection and activism during the emerging coronavirus (Wuhan 2019-nCoV) health crisis “to speak up and act up early to interrupt injustice” in a message to Adler University students, faculty, and staff.

      Learn More

      Dr. Barrie Shares Insight on Father-Daughter Relationships with the Chicago Sun-Times

      Rabiatu E. Barrie, Ph.D., Chicago Campus Assistant Professor, was recently featured by Natalie Y. Moore in a column examining the relationships between father and daughters in time for Father’s Day.

      Learn More

      Dr. Biedermann Shares Mindfulness Tips in Authority Magazine

      Christina Biedermann, Psy.D., Associate Professor in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology program in Chicago, was recently interviewed about mindfulness, leadership, and social justice for a series in Medium’s Authority Magazine.

      Learn More