Dear Therapist: Adler & Being Stuck

Adlerian psychology suggests that people often maintain their current patterns because their beliefs and “private logic” support the life they are already living, even when they consciously want change. Rather than focusing only on trying to “become more motivated,” it can be useful to ask clients a future-oriented question such as, “If you were already living with more motivation, how would your behavior, choices, or relationships look different?” This kind of reframing can help uncover assumptions that keep people stuck and open up new possibilities for action... Or at least help you get enough time to take another sip of coffee.