Graphics for Brief Therapy: Overcoming Self-Discouragement
The following chart is from the handouts included in the Alfred Adler Institute of San Francisco's Distance Training Program in Classical Adlerian Psychotherapy, Course DT305: Brief, Group, and Marathon Therapy. The two circles were first utilized by Anthony Bruck, a master of Adlerian brief therapy, who had studied with Alfred Adler. Originally, the chart was included in a series of ten graphic aids that were used in brief therapy and teaching Adlerian psychology to adults and children.
In the Vicious Circle of Self-Discouragement (above left), at point A the person feels and thinks, "I cannot do it." Then at point B he does not try. As a result, at point C, the person has no encouraging experiences. Then he is back at point A again and he continues to feel and think "I cannot do it." The person goes on with a negative attitude toward self.
To help people out of their vicious circles, one has to find ways to give them the Perhaps Bridge over to the Beneficial Circle of Self-Encouragement. If the person feels and thinks "Perhaps I can do it" at point D, then at point E he exposes himself to new experiences and keeps trying. Then at point F he makes his own encouraging experiences. The result is a self-encouraging feeling "I can do it."
This chart is a work in progress (Revised 4/18/98) -- your comments and suggestions
are invited. Please respond to HTStein@worldnet.att.net.
