Individual Psychology: Bullying, Play Therapy, Therapeutic Obstacles, Work, and Loss

With the exception of the Ansbacher address, a large part of this issue is clinically focused and to a lesser degree comprises articles on theory and research. The issue begins with the 2011 Ansbacher Address by Robert Powers. What an insightful effort by the presenter to integrate the principles of Individual Psychology from a historical and sociological perspective by addressing the development of Adler’s theory within the context of psychoanalytic theory, the Second World War, and the beginning of the women’s rights movement. He also stated that like it or not, Adler did live in the shadow of Freud, but this “shadow” should not be viewed as an inferior position in relation to making important contributions in society. He continues to use the metaphor of the shadow throughout his lecture to demonstrate important points related to the development of Adler’s work. Overall, Bob was an orator of exquisite skills who maximized his intellectual curiosity, extensive reading, clinical experiences, presentation style, voice, and former experiences in the ministry to eloquently deliver his message.

The second article by Jane Griffith is an essay of memories related to her husband’s thoughts on clients, therapeutic interventions, ethical dilemmas, depression, suicide, honesty, symptoms, sexuality, and several other issues. It is an insightful article about one of our master therapists, and we believe the first of its kind in the journal where a spouse creates an overview of the life of the deceased. Jane spent an extended period of time weaving together her deceased spouse’s ideas on the foregoing clinical topics. We are aware of the challenge this must have been for Jane in that it must have elicited positive as well as sad memories related to her husband.

Taylor and Bratton extend the practical application theme of the current issue by proposing the value of Adlerian play therapy with preschool children. They make a strong case that when using play therapy it is critical to consider the developmental needs of this age group versus a focus on age. They build the case for this developmental premise with work from attachment theory experts as well as from brain and trauma researchers. They conclude with an insightful practical application case study to demonstrate their premises on the importance of developmental needs within the context of play therapy.

Making the transition from clinical application of the principles of Individual Psychology to the work setting, Astrauskaite, Kern, and Notelaers have created an article that for the first time in the journal systematically attempts to conceptualize the principles of Individual Psychology to explain bullying behavior in organizational settings. This article evolved from an empirical base whereby the first author conducted research on the lifestyle construct and other antecedents related to bullying in the workplace. The article integrates a number of Individual Psychology constructs such as lifestyle, inferiority, superiority, belonging, and holism, and the connection to bullying in the workplace.

The article in the “Business and Organizations” column, “Work as a Life Task in Contemporary Times,” by Eva Dreikurs Ferguson, continues the theme of Astrauskaite, Kern, and Notelaers related to the way Individual Psychology constructs can be used to explain organizational behavior. Ferguson makes the case that regardless of technological developments in organizations, the task of work continues to depend on the way employees and superiors address the human capital issue—in other words, workers must find ways of creating a corporate environment that includes nurturing social interest, use of encouragement within the context of achievement, and needs related to power positions within the organizational setting. Eva may be the most influential writer in this field based on the many years of demonstrating the connection of Individual Psychology and the work setting in the International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes.

The final article, which appears in the “Psychological Strategies” column, “Swimming Upstream: Identifying and Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges,” by Rasmussen and Johnson-Migalski, extends the clinical focus of this issue with adults. The article addresses challenges related to changing clients’ perceptions and behavior in therapy. The two authors draw from their combined years of practice...