Adler Lifestyle Assessmentpersonal Application The Lifestyle Assessme ✓ Solved

Adler Lifestyle Assessment Personal Application: The Lifestyle Assessment The lifestyle assessment is typically done in the initial phase of therapy as a way to obtain information about the client’s family constellation, early recollections, dreams, and strengths as a person. This information is then summarized and interpreted, especially in light of the client’s faulty assumptions about life (or “basic mistakesâ€). From the results of this assessment procedure, counselors make tentative interpretations about the client’s lifestyle. Although there are a number of formats for the lifestyle questionnaire, counselors may develop their own variation by focusing on information deemed most valuable for exploration in therapy.

What follows is an example of a lifestyle questionnaire that has been modified and adapted from various sources, but especially from Mosak and Shulman’s Life Style Inventory (1988). To give you an experiential sense of the process of thinking and responding to this early life-history material, complete the following questionnaire as it applies to you. As much as possible, try to give your initial responses, without worrying about what you can and cannot remember or about any “correct†responses. I strongly encourage you to fill in the blanks and to make brief summaries after each section. Assume that you are interested in being a client in Adlerian therapy.

Based on the outcomes of this questionnaire, what areas of your life would you most like to explore? How much help is this questionnaire in getting you focused on what you might want from a therapeutic relationship? Family Constellation: Birth Order and Sibling Description · List your siblings from oldest to youngest. Give a brief description of each (including yourself). · What most stands out for each sibling? · Rate each of your siblings, from the highest to the lowest, on the following personally dimensions. Include your own position in relation to your siblings.

Most to Least Most to Least intelligent feminine achievement-oriented masculine hardworking easygoing pleasing daring assertive responsible charming idealistic conforming materialistic methodical fun- loving athletic demanding rebellious critical of self spoiled withdrawn critical of others sensitive bossy · Which sibling is the most different from you, and how? · Which is most like you, and how? · Which played together? · Which fought with each other? · Who took care of whom? · Were there any unusual achievements by the siblings? · Any accidents or sickness? · What kind of child were you? · What was school like for you? · What childhood fears did you have? · What were your childhood ambitions? · What was your role in your peer group? · Were there any significant events in your physical and sexual development? · Any highlights in your social development? · What were the most important values in your family? · What stands out the most for you about your family life?

Family Constellation: Parental Figures and Relationships · Your father’s current age, your mother’s age. · His and her occupations. · What kind of person are your mother and father? · His ambitions for the children? Her ambitions for the children? · Your childhood view of your father. Your childhood view of your mother. · His favorite child, and why? Her favorite child, and why? · Relationship to children, each parent. · Sibling most like father, in what ways? Sibling most like mother, in what ways? · Describe your parents’ relationship with each other. · In general, how did each of the siblings view and react to your parents? · In general, what was your parents’ relationship with the children? · Besides your mother and father, were there any other significant adults in your life?

Who were they and how did they affect you? Early Recollections and Dreams · What are your earliest single and specific memory? · What are some other early recollections? Be as detailed as possible. · What feelings are associated with any of these early memories? · Can you recall any childhood dreams? · Do you have any recurring dreams? Lifestyle Summary · Summarize your family constellation. (What stands out most about your role in your family? Are there any themes in your family history?) · Summarize your early recollections. (Are there any themes running through your early memories?

Do you see any meaning in your early recollections?) · List your mistaken self-defeating perceptions. (What do you see as your “basic mistakesâ€?) · Summarize what you consider to be your strengths as a person. (What are your assets?) Now that you are finished with this lifestyle questionnaire: · What did you learn from taking it and reviewing it? · Assuming you will be a client in counseling, what theme(s) do you most want to address? · Do you see connections between your past and the person you are today? What about any continuity from your past and present to your strivings toward the future? · Do you see any patterns in your life? Are there any themes running through from childhood to the present? · Consider discussing the results of your lifestyle summary with your professor for personal and professional growth.

Paper for above instructions

Adler Lifestyle Assessment Personal Application

The Adler Lifestyle Assessment offers an insightful framework for understanding one's personal and familial dynamics, developmental milestones, and the formation of individual beliefs and behaviors. This assessment is not merely an exercise in self-reflection; it serves as a vital component of an effective therapeutic relationship. As I delve into the various facets of my lifestyle assessment, I seek to identify themes relevant to my ongoing personal growth and potential areas for exploration within therapy.

Family Constellation

Siblings and Their Characteristics
I am the middle child among three siblings—my elder brother, Jacob, and my younger sister, Emily.
- Jacob: The oldest, Jacob is highly intelligent and achievement-oriented. He has always exhibited a sense of responsibility, often taking on a parental role for both Emily and me. His easy-going nature has made him an often-pleasing figure within the family unit.
- Me: As the middle child, I have often felt the pressure of being in between both siblings. I rate myself as athletic, thoughtful, and fun-loving. However, I have also noticed tendencies towards being critical of myself, especially when setting high standards.
- Emily: The youngest sibling, Emily is charming and idealistic. She has a flair for creativity and is more rebellious than Jacob and me, often seeking validation for her artistic talents.
Unique Relationships: Jacob and I often fought over trivial matters, but I took great care of Emily during our childhood. Jacob and I had a shared passion for various sports, which strengthened our bond. Emily, exhibiting her creative talents, engaged in artistic projects that sometimes divided our attention.

Parental Figures and Relationships

My parents are both in their early 50s; my father, 52, is an architect, while my mother, 51, is a teacher. Both parents are highly ambitious and instilled a strong work ethic in their children.
- Father: My father, a perfectionist, has always desired high academic and career aspirations for us. He holds a critical view of mistakes, which has caused me to develop a fear of failure.
- Mother: Conversely, my mother is nurturing and emotionally supportive, often promoting individual expression. While she hopes my siblings and I find fulfillment, she also encourages us to prioritize our health and well-being.
As a child, my perception of my father was that of a strong figure but also an intimidating presence that I had to impress. My mother was perceived as my safe space, fostering an emotional connection that served as a large part of my support system.
Parent-Child Relationship Dynamics: It's interesting to note that my father has always had a stronger relationship with Jacob, perhaps due to their shared ambition, whereas my mother has a soft corner for Emily, often seeing her as the vulnerable one. In general, my parents maintained a loving relationship marked by mutual respect, although arguments over education and career choices were common.

Early Recollections and Dreams

The earliest memory that stands out to me was a family trip to the beach when I was approximately five years old. The joy from that day resonates with feelings of happiness, freedom, and connection. Another early recollection involves me struggling with learning to ride a bike—an experience filled with frustration but ultimately leading to great booster confidence upon mastering the skill.
- Childhood Dreams: I often dreamt of being a superhero, which reflected my desire for admiration and power. Recurring dreams about flying symbolize my wish to escape mundane realities and achieve my aspirations freely.

Lifestyle Summary

Family Constellation: In summary, my family dynamic exhibits a clear hierarchy where achievements and behavior play significant roles in interactions. I often feel lost between the pressure exerted by my older brother and the nurturing I received from my younger sister. The role of the middle child manifests in my tendencies toward seeking validation from those around me.
Early Recollections: The themes in my early memories, focused on struggle and eventual success, denote resilience. This inclination to confront challenges head-on is a quality that shapes my current perspective on overcoming adversity.
Mistaken Self-Defeating Perceptions: One of the most profound insights I gleaned from this assessment was the “basic mistakes” that plague my mindset. I often perceive myself as inadequate unless I achieve perfection, a perception that stems from my understanding of success as measured by parental approval.
Strengths: On the contrary, my strengths include a high level of empathy, resilience, critical thinking, and adaptability. I thrive in social situations and have been able to cultivate meaningful relationships due to my ability to connect with various individuals.

Insights and Future Themes for Therapy

Engaging in this introspective exercise has illuminated multiple facets of my life experiences, encouraging me to evaluate both my past behavior patterns and aspirations for the future.
1. Areas for Exploration: I would like to explore feelings of inadequacy associated with my upbringing, particularly how perceptions of my parents' expectations may have led to my internal conflicts regarding self-worth.
2. Development in Therapy: One major theme I want to address in therapy is the balance between ambition and self-acceptance. Understanding the importance of accepting imperfection could significantly enable me to thrive rather than merely survive amid my high expectations.
3. Continuity and Patterns: I see a distinct continuity from my childhood experiences to the present, illustrated through my ongoing pursuit of achievement while simultaneously battling self-doubt. Recognizing these patterns will be pivotal in reshaping my actions moving forward.

Conclusion

The Adler Lifestyle Assessment serves as a valuable tool for individuals striving to understand the complexities of their past experiences while directing their focus toward future aspirations. It has provided me with a roadmap for therapy, highlighting crucial issues that align with my personal development journey—resources to gain insights into my unique lifestyle, assist in acknowledging my strengths, and facilitate emotional healing. I look forward to further unpacking these themes in a professional setting.

References

1. Adler, A. (1927). Understanding Human Nature. New York: Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd.
2. Hauser, S. T., & Allen, J. P. (2000). Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence. New York: Wiley.
3. Mosak, H. H., & Shulman, L. H. (1988). The Life Style Inventory. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
4. Yalom, I. D. (2002). The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients. New York: Harpercollins.
5. Dreikurs, R., & Soltz, V. (1972). Children: The Challenge. New York: Plume.
6. Wubbolding, R. (2017). Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Understanding and Improving Personal Relationships. New York: Routledge.
7. Mosak, H. H. (2005). The Guide to Adlerian Psychology. New York: RavenPress.
8. Egan, G. (2013). The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management Approach to Helping. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
9. McAdams, D. P. (1993). The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making of the Self. New York: William Morrow.
10. Dinkmeyer, D. C., & McKay, G. (1988). Parenting and Family Life Skills. New York: West Publishing Company.