Adlerian Network

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2024

January 6: Tina FeigalFebruary 3: Jane NelsenMarch 2: Betty Lou BettnerApril 20: Leftheris PapageorgiouMay 4: Roslyn PatersonJune 1: Jana GoodermontAugust 3: Paivi LeeSeptember 7: Susan Brokaw

Rescheduled for April 20: Leftheris Papageorgiou -- Self-Care for Clinicians
Taking care of oneself as a professional is a most important subject that is too frequently neglected in our training and practice. Using my personal and professional experience along with basic Adlerian concepts, I will outline two major challenges we face in our clinical work, the battle for structure and the battle for initiativeBio:
Leftheris Papageorgiou received his graduate degree in Counseling Psychology from the Adler University of Chicago and had extensive
post-graduate training in marriage and family therapy and sexuality. He practiced as a marriage and family therapist both in private clinics and in private practice in Minneapolis and St. Paul for 30 years, working with issues of addiction and recovery, shame and guilt, depression, anxiety, intimacy, sexuality, and infertility. He taught at the Adler Graduate School of Minnesota for 33 years and is presently Professor Emeritus. In addition, he was an adjunct assistant professor in the Chemical Dependency/Family Treatment Training Program at St. Catherine University and an adjunct faculty in the Program of Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota Medical School, extending his teaching career to more than 45 years
Introduction
Over the years, I have witnessed valuable colleagues and heard stories of excellent professionals burning out and leaving the psychotherapy field. Why? Taking care of oneself as a professional is a most important subject that is too frequently neglected in our training and practice. Using my personal and professional experience along with basic Adlerian concepts, I will outline two major challenges we face in our clinical work, the battle for structure and the battle for initiative. Both of these battles are addressed below:The Battle for StructureI will share the structures that are required to keep oneself sane:
• the relevance of understanding your own finances and how they affect your work decisions
• the significance of establishing a professional family outside the workplace for peer consultation with a focus on case presentations to facilitate ongoing learning from one another
• the importance of the first contact between the therapist and the prospective client, and who decides who the ‘client’ is.
Participants will gain an appreciation of matters such as:
• the desired number of direct hours of clinical service per week/year
• the significance of having a “professional family”
• the importance of establishing clear work expectations with
one’s clientsThe Battle for InitiativeI will focus on the following issues:
• Assessment or diagnosis or both?
• The relevance of “not working harder than your client” and
claiming your impotency
• The importance of aligning the therapeutic goals of therapist
and client
• The significance of genuinely caring for your client as a
necessary condition of establishing a therapeutic relationship with your client
* Participants will gain an awareness of matters such as:
• Appreciation of the limitation of diagnosis
• Understanding a client’s “movement”
• Understanding and honoring a client’s resistance
• Being congruentFormat
Lecture/presentation and give-and-take with the audience, and
handouts.

May 3: Roslyn Paterson -- Caldera -- Knowing when to not blow your top!

Roslyn Paterson, MA, LPCC, BSN, RN, will present an Adlerian approach to anger/temper management in a group setting of criminal justice clients.

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Louise Ferry, PhD, LP, LMFT320-766-3554
[email protected]
LMFT board approved supervisor in Minnesota Individual supervision

Dr. Sarah Robinson-Hudson, PsyD, LP
Hudson Counseling Clinic
www.hudsoncounselingclinic.com/supervision
952-212-0080
[email protected]Approved to supervise: People pursuing: LP, LPC, LPCCI work with both Individuals and groupsOther relevant information:
I have a doctoral concentration in Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy and Theory. I was mentored by Dr. Harold Mosak for over seven years, and am dedicated to the advancement of Adlerian theory and psychotherapy.

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Directory of Adlerians

Note: Not every practitioner listed is a licensed counselor.

Meghan Williams, PhD, LMFT, MCLCBusiness Name: Authentic LivingAddress: Telehealth only(651) 263-8633Business Email: [email protected]Hours: Monday – Friday 10a-6p and Saturday 12p-4pTypes of Therapy Specialties: I am a Certified Life Coach (CLC) who works through an Adlerian, integrated, and strength based systemic approach with individuals, couples, and families while offering hope, understanding, growth and encouragement. My specialties include autism spectrum disorders (ASD), adoption, attachment-based parenting, parenting children of all ages with special needs, and couple’s relationships, and I am also certified in Prepare/Enrich.Clientele: Older adolescents, adults, couples, parents, and familiesInsurance: NoSliding Scale: YesCredit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: Very OftenLifestyle: Very Often

Kathryn Hector, MA, LPC, RPTLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT).New Forest Counseling and Play Therapy, LLC715.201.4215
[email protected]
https://www.newforestcounseling.com/Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kathryn-hector-river-falls-wi/955607Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynhectorrpt/I work with children ages 3 and up, adolescents, and adults. I offer individual therapy and parent-only sessions. I am currently private pay but am working to get in network with insurance and very low-cost offer sliding scale. I see clients in office in beautiful River Falls, WI, and have flexible availability throughout the week.I offer lifestyle work as a core part of my practice. I hold an MA in Applied Adlerian Psychology in Leadership and a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler Graduate School. I have completed an additional graduate certificate in Play Therapy from Bethel University. In addition to Adlerian talk therapy, I offer child-centered and experiential play therapy, as well as a sand tray. I specialize in working with trauma in children and adults, Autism, ADHD, and the LGBTQAI+ community as an affirming provider. I am a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. Please see my website or contact me directly for more information.

Tina Feigal, M.S., Ed.Business name:  Center for the Challenging Child/Anu Family ServicesBusiness address:  Anu – 901 Fourth St., Hudson, WI 54016Contact phone number:  651-443-1786E-mail [email protected]Website address: http://www.parentingmojo.comDays & hours clients are seen:  T-Fr   10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Types of psychotherapy, counseling and any specialties.  Parent Coaching for parents of children of all ages.I work with: Parents, teachers, caregivers.If you take insurance, name which ones: Health Savings Accounts pay for coaching, as does Sand Creek EAP.Do you have a sliding scale? NoDo you take credit cards? YesOther types of work:  Presenting on challenging child behavior, anxiety in children, and parenting with narcissistic exes, and a wide variety of other topics.

Kathleen Matay, Licensed Resident in Counseling
LifeStance Health
1360 Beverly Road, Suite 200, McLean VA 22101
703.838.5832
[email protected]

Website address: https://lifestance.com/provider/kathy-matay-ma-va/
Days & hours: Mon - Thurs, 8am to 5pm
I work with: teens, adults, pre marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families (please see bio for additional info, link provided above)
Insurance: Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Health Care, possibly others
Do you have a sliding scale: Reduced Fee Available
Do you take credit cards: Yes
Adlerian theory underpins the work I do: family constellation, birth order, early recollections, lifestyle, sense of inferiority, striving. I believe behavior is adaptive and
seek to understand purpose and movement.Other types of work you do: Trauma-informed, ADHD, Parenting consultations, person-centered.

Dominique Greer; MA in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy Pre-LicensedBusiness name: Works at Franklin Family ServicesBusiness address: 5009 Excelsior Blvd, Suite 134 St Louis Park MN 55416Contact phone number: 612-386-7636E-mail [email protected]Website address: www.franklinfamilyservices.orgDays & hours clients are seen: Monday and Wednesday all day (more days soon)Types of psychotherapy, counseling and any specialties.I work with: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families; I specialize in children who struggle with school-related issues, discipline, and socialization. I help parents via psychoeducation and engage in family therapy.If you take insurance, name which ones____Most.Do you have a sliding scale-- yes.Do you take credit cards -- yes.Check the appropriate boxI work on lifestyle--very oftenI graduated from Adler Graduate School and continue my training in couples’ counseling and family counseling. I am certified in Positive Discipline Parent Educator.Other types of work: I work with all people, especially children from 6 to 19 years old. I was a teacher for 20 years. My goal is to help families with their struggles through support and psychoeducation.

Mugesi Ogongi, LPC, LPCCRamsey Countyhttp://www.ramseycounty.us

Boris Haymson, LPCC, LADC, LSCScope of practice: Teens, adults, couples, families.Lifestyle work: Occasionally

Ellen O’Brien, MA LMFTClearwater Counseling1380 Energy Lane, St. Paul MN 55108Contact: 612-965-3019.Days & hours clients are seen: Monday: 12-6, Tuesday-Thursday: 7:30-3E-mail: [email protected]– Personal ; [email protected] -ProfessionalWebsite address: clearwatercounselingmn.com -ProfessionalTypes of psychotherapy, counseling and any specialties: Adlerian, Internal Family Systems, & Experiential Therapy approaches. My specialty areas include individual systemic therapy, family therapy, marriage and couples therapy, anxiety, depression, trauma, goal orientation, self-esteem, and self-development I work with: Adults and Couples, Pre-marital Couples or Divorce, Parents/Parenting, Families/BlendedIf you take insurance: Yes- BlueCross and BlueShield, HealthPartners, Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP), PreferredOne, UCareDo you have a sliding scale YesDo you take credit cards Yes-  American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Paypal, VisaI work on lifestyle: OftenAdditional Comments on your work in Adlerian psychotherapy and Counseling:My focus is assisting individuals and couples in exploring and finding a sense of well-being, movement,  and self-identity through the Adlerian, Internal Family Systems, and Experiential Therapy approaches.I strive to facilitate a safe space for individuals as they explore, develop, & nurture their own strengths. These strengths allow individuals to identify & tackle their challenges with confidence and comfort. I believe this mindful awareness & assurance lends itself to increased self-worth, goal directedness, and social embededness, which comes together in a trifecta of self-growth.My specialty areas include: individual systemic therapy, family therapy, marriage and couples therapy, anxiety, depression, trauma, goal orientation, self-esteem, and self-development.Other types of work you do:I am looking to begin to explore supervision course/training, EMDR training, and preparing a manual and CEU to present on my Trauma and Adlerian Training.

Deborah Meggitt, Clinical MFT TraineeIris Reproductive Mental Health Services1500 McAndrews Rd. W., STE. 212, Burnsville, MN 55337651-456-8469Days & hours clients are seen: evenings and weekendsE-mail [email protected]Website address: deborahmeggitt.comTypes of psychotherapy, counseling and any specialties:I received my Master’s of Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy from Adler Graduate School in 2015. Minnesota marriage and family license eligible, I am a clinical trainee at Iris Reproductive Mental Health Services. I enjoy working with infants and children, individuals, couples, and families. I have experience working in outpatient, in-home, and hospice care settings providing life skills training, individual and group therapy. With an Adlerian foundation, my approach is different for each client and situation; holistic and subjective. The characteristics of Adlerian Therapy is brief, present and future oriented, psycho-educational, integrated and eclectic. Fusion of Western therapies (cognitive behavioral therapy, brief therapy, solution-focused therapy, values clarification, etc.) with Eastern therapies (alternative, mind, body, and spirit). In addition, I am an active Pregnancy and Postpartum Support MN volunteer servicing the community by providing support, advocacy, awareness, and training about perinatal mental health in Minnesota. Trained specially in perinatal mood disorders, maternal mental health, and supporting moms, dads & couples through the transitions of preconception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, resulting in shifts in relationships and moods.I work with: Children, teens, adults, premarital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended familiesDC: 0-3 infant/child, adults, premarital, couples, parents, families, blended, pregnancy and motherhood, infant loss, birth trauma, childhood trauma, domestic violence.Insurance: Health Partners, Cigna, BCBS, Preferred One or out of pocket/cash rate $40/pay pal.Sliding scale: NoCredit cards: YesLifestyle work: Very oftenOther types of work: Life Coaching and Family/Kids yoga instructor

Patty Robinson; currently seeking Family Life Coaching credentialing from North Carolina State UniversityFamily Life Coaching of Minnesota LLC11398 Avery Dr., Inver Grove Heights, MN651-208-8728E-mail: [email protected]Website address: Familylifecoachingofminnesota.comHours: Mon. – Sat., at Summit Office Building, 1500 W. McAndrews Rd., BurnsvilleTypes of psychotherapy, counseling and specialties: Premarital assessment and skill building (Prepare/Enrich), marriage education (Gottman Method-Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work), Enrich marital checkups.I work with: premarital couples, married couples: specialize in transition of life stagesInsurance: noSliding scale: yesCredit cards: noLifestyle work: Occasionally

Laure Schwartz, MA (LPC candidate) and Spiritual DirectorThe Healing House of Saint Paul338 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul, MN 55105612-269-9635E-mail: [email protected]Website address: www.healinghousesaintpaul.orgHours: Mon. – Fri. 10 – 6; Sat. 9 – noonTypes of psychotherapy, counseling and specialties: I use an integrated body, mind, spirit approach using psychotherapy, spiritual direction, and somatic experiencing. Somatic experiencing is a nervous system based trauma recovery therapy. I specialize in using holistic methods to heal unresolved trauma symptoms and revise adult attachment styles based upon lifestyle and mistaken beliefs.I work with: teens, adults, and couples.Insurance: noSliding scale: yesCredit cards: yesLifestyle work: Very often, every session!!Other types of work: I facilitate and teach workshops on Self-compassion, Discovering Your Path through the creative process, identifying trauma symptoms in the client’s body, neuroscience of the developing brain in early attachment. I have presented at NASAP 2016 and will present again at NASAP 2017 and IAIP 2017.

Kathleen Bischel Beddow, MA, LMFTOpen Circle Therapy, PLLC821 Raymond Ave., Baker Ct., Ste. 440, St. Paul, MN 55114Phone: 651-238-9219 Email: [email protected]Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8-7Types of Therapy Specialties: I use a variety of psycho-social-educational, psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, Adlerian concepts, genogram work, Inner Child, stress and anxiety reduction through the use of breathing techniques and other evidence-based techniques to raise awareness of mind and body connection, and family systems theory in my practice. I work with clients with high anxiety and stress of all ages. I also have a focus on young career women with or without children. I see many parents and siblings of developmentally impaired, or individuals with ASD or other significant neurological challenges. I also work with parents and siblings of individuals with serious substance abuse issues. I work with adults who are going through high conflict divorce.Clientele: Children, teens, adults, divorce, parents, familiesInsurance: All except Health Partners or CignaSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: I am a trained civil, family mediator and a Social Early Neutral Evaluator for Family Court. I am a trained Parenting Time Expeditor and Parenting Consultant. I have over 80 hours of training in Mind and Body Medicine and have completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Wendy Frieze, MA in LPCC and Art Therapy— not licensed yetBusiness: NuWay HouseAddress: 2220 Central Ave. NE, Mpls. 55418Phone: 651-328-7762Hours: Thursday—Group art therapyE-mail: [email protected]Types of psychotherapy, counseling, specialties: Art therapist for MICD outpatients Addiction Recovery groupsI work with: adults and recovery groups age 19 and overInsurance:Sliding scale: noCredit cards: noLifestyle work: occasionally and philosophically—oftenAdditional comments on your Adlerian work: The Lifestyle process is my best tool for questioning. I feel armed and dangerous with the Tasks of Life and Birth Timelines and Family Biblio.Other types of work: Art Therapy—create coping skills through art therapy process

Christine Mattila, LPCC license trackVance Creek Experiential Therapy, LLC197 31/2 St., Clayton, WIPhone: 763-300-3998 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.vancecreektherapy.comHours: Fridays 10-4Types of Therapy Specialties: Developing retreat/workshop center. More learning and growth centered. Allow client to discover their own solutions. No diagnosis—not medical model.Clientele: A demographic— blocks of timeInsurance: NoSliding Scale: No Credit Cards: No. But PayPal, yesAdlerian Work: Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association. EAGALA is very Adlerian—a lot of metaphors (almost 100%).Lifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Offer EAGALA, art, nature, sand tray—rocking chair! Cottage in the woods!

Ken Becker, MA, LADC, LPCCNuway HouseBlaisdell Ave., S., Minneapolis, MN 55404Phone: 612-235-4677 Email:Website: http://www.nuwayhouse.orgHours: 11 to 6Types of Therapy Specialties: Chemical dependencyClientele: Adults, parents, familiesInsurance: AllSliding Scale: No Credit Cards: NoAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work:Becker, Ken, MA, LADC, LPCCResource, Inc.1900 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404Phone: 612-752-8000 Email:Website: http://www.resource-mn.orgHours: 8 to 10Types of Therapy Specialties: Mental healthClientele: Adults, parents, familiesInsurance: AllSliding Scale: No Credit Cards: NoAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Often

Sherry Merriam, L.M, MA, LPCC, TCHIIridescent Care Collaborative, LLC1300 Lagoon Ave Suite 270, Minneapolis, MN 55408Phone: 952-210-4082
Email: [email protected]Website: www.iridescentcare.comHours: Mon-Thr, 10-2Types of psychotherapy, counseling and any specialties. Individuals, couples, adolescents and adults, Misfits and Sensitives -- artists, geeks/nerds, kink/BDSM folk, ethical nonmonogamists including polyamorists, Pagans and other religious minorities, witches, punks, activists, healthcare providers, folks with chronic illness/physical disability.I work with teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families, polyfamiliesInsurance: Out-of-network billing available for all plans.Sliding Scale: No
Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: Very oftenLifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Somatic, Narrative, DBT, Mindfulness

Lawna GamblePlymouth Psych Group LLC, Wellness Ways137 E. 17th St., MN 55403Phone: 216-926-7948 Email: [email protected]Website:Hours: Day, eveningTypes of Therapy Specialties: ASD, cultural sensitivityClientele: Teens, adults, familiesInsurance: All but BC/BSSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: Infuse art into counseling when/where appropriate

Carla AntonNortheast Youth and Family Services3490 Lexington Ave N #205, Shoreview, MN 55126Phone: 651-379-3428 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.nyfs.orgHours: 8 to 5Types of Therapy Specialties: Adlerian, CBT, Solution Focused, school therapist—middle school-high schoolClientele: Teens, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: Credit Cards:Adlerian Work: I provide Adlerian parent consultations and Adlerian parenting classesLifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Workshops in schools (teachers, staff)

LeAnn Heimer, MALighthouse Counseling, Ltd.Phone: Email:Website: http://www.lighthousecounseling.comHours:Types of Therapy Specialties:Clientele: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples, divorce, parents, blended familiesInsurance: AllSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: Yes, and PaypalAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OccasionallyOther Work: I have offices in Redwood Falls, Marshall, and Willmar

Catherine M. Hedberg, MA, LP2324 University Ave. W., Ste. 100, Saint Paul, MN 55114Phone: 651-434-3158 Email: [email protected]Website:Hours: T, W, ThTypes of Therapy Specialties: Adlerian emphasis, lifestyle analysis, trauma, EMDR, creativityClientele: Adults, LGBT, transgenderInsurance: BCBSSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards:Adlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: LPC supervision soon

Jennifer BoydArubah Emotional Health3300 County Rd 10 #204B, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429Phone: 952-955-4946 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.arubahemotionalhealth.comHours: M-F, 9-6Types of Therapy Specialties:Clientele: Children, teens, adultsInsurance:Sliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: Play therapy

Tamara Phillips, MA, LMFTAutism Family Therapy, Inc.12805 Hwy. 55, Suite #402 Plymouth, MN 55441Phone: 612-326-3157 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.autismfamilytherapy.comHours: M-Th, 10am-7pmTypes of Therapy Specialties: CBT, individual and family therapy, Prepare-Enrich; autism specific techniques to decrease anxiety, understand emotions of self and others; couples counseling, diagnostic assessments for adults who think they may have ASDClientele: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families. I work with individuals and families who live with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome and their family membersInsurance: BCBS, Medica, MA, Aetna, Preferred One, UBH, United Health CareSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: Mistaken beliefs, prevention, encouragement, behavior observation, emphasis on relationship building, psycho-educationLifestyle Work: OccasionallyOther Work: Consultation with schools, businesses, homes focusing on ASD specific strategies.

Mary Louise Holmes5100 Thimsen Ave., Ste. 130, Minnetonka, MN 55345Phone: 612-581-5662 Email: [email protected]Website: marylholmescounseling.com — under constructionHours: Th. and Fri.; Wed. upon requestTypes of Therapy Specialties: Struggling teens with ADHD, addictions, etc.; individuals and couples in divorce; high conflict divorce; children, teens of divorced familiesClientele: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: No Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: I am just setting up my business while studying to take the national exam again, likely in December.Lifestyle Work: Occasionally

Kate Simonson, MAAdlerian PsychotherapyLicense: Guidance and CounselingCertificates: Neuro-Semantics Meta-Coaching, Life CoachingPhone: 612-227-4511 Email: [email protected]Website:Hours: FlexibleTypes of Therapy Specialties: Career, small business team building, individual coaching, transitions in lifeClientele: Teens, adults, couples, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: Credit Cards:Adlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Occasionally

Barb McCleary, Postgrad pre-license MFTPhone: 952-388-8856 Email: [email protected]Website:Hours:Types of Therapy Specialties: End of life, grief, bereavement, hospice, family sexualityClientele: Parents, families, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: Credit Cards:Adlerian Work: I live half-time in Florida. Primary work is hospice families and bereavement supportLifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Divorce and separation issues related—straight spouse support to family sexuality

Rebecca Chesin, MFTTwin Cities Relationship Resources, LLC901 Twelve Oaks Ctr. Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55391Phone: 763-458-6896 Email: Contact through website or phoneWebsite: timeforclarity.comHours: M-F, days and eveningsTypes of Therapy Specialties: Sleep issues, adults estranged from family, gifted & talented, GLBT, I incorporate elements from many models/schools of psychotherapy depending on what best serves the client.Clientele: Teens, premarital couples, adults, eldersInsurance: Private pay, HSA, FSASliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: Yes— M/V/DAdlerian Work: I use Feedback Informed Measures to help insure clients achieve their goals.Lifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Discernment counseling, insomnia and sleep issues (iCBT)

Doug Pelcak, MA, LSCInstitute for Therapy3139 Excelsior Blvd., Ste. 580, Minneapolis, MN 55416Phone: work: 612-991-1670; personal: 612-998-4313 Email: [email protected]Hours: M/Th, noon-8Types of Therapy Specialties: Children—adults; ADHD—adults especially; family recomposition; school-related issuesClientele: Children, teens, adults, divorce, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance: Blue Cross/Blue ShieldSliding Scale: Yes, $70-$125 Credit Cards: NoAdlerian Work: Strong in school counseling/teacher training systems workLifestyle Work: OccasionallyOther Work: School counseling faculty, school counseling service center-providing counseling services to underserved schools

Rindie Eagle, MA, LPCCNorthwinds Counseling Services21308 John Milless Dr #202, Rogers, MN 55374Phone: 763-370-5014 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.encouragingresults.comHours: Mon. 10-7; Tues. 10-2Types of Therapy Specialties: Adlerian, bio feedback, anger management, discernment counselingClientele: Teens, adults, premarital couples, couples on the brink of separation/divorceInsurance: BCBS, Medica, UCare, Preferred One, Health Partners, MASliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: I love using early recollections and my favorite question on intake is about their favorite book.Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: I am a HeartMath Certified Practitioner (biofeedback), certified Anger Management Treatment Provider, trained in discernment counseling (not certified yet).Eagle, RindieParasol Wellness Collaborative450 Jefferson Blvd, Ste 4Big Lake, MN 55309Phone: 763-370-5014 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.encouragingresults.comHours: Wed. 10-7Types of Therapy Specialties: Adlerian, biofeedback, anger management, discernment counselingClientele: Teens, adults, premarital couples, couples on the brink of separation/divorceInsurance: BCBS, Medica, UCare, Preferred One, Health Partners, MASliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: I love using early recollections and my favorite question on intake is about their favorite book.Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: I am a HeartMath Certified Practitioner (biofeedback), certified Anger Management Treatment Provider, trained in discernment counseling (not certified yet).

Starla Moore, MA, awaiting LADC licenseCourage Consulting & Counseling for the Individual or Family3300 County Rd 10, Ste. 300 I Minneapolis, MN 55429Phone: 612-759-5654 Email: [email protected]Website: FacebookHours: By appointmentTypes of Therapy Specialties: COD, couples, DC:0-3R, family, individualClientele: Children 0-3 and beyond, teens, adults, pre-marital couples, divorce, parents, families, blended families, co-parentingInsurance: Blue Cross, Medica, commercial UCareSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards:Adlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Very often

Elizabeth (Beth) Pitchford, MAAutism Society of Minnesota2380 Wycliff St., St. Paul, 55114Phone: 651-647-1083 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.ausm.orgHours: M-T, 8-5Types of Therapy Specialties: Adlerian, CBT, EMDR and trauma therapy. Specialty: autism (invisible spectrum)Clientele: Teens, adults, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance: BC/BS, MA . . .Sliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work: There’s a lot that can be used to help people on spectrum understand neurotypicals.Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: Teach Irish dance

Lori Ann Wagner, LPCCFamily, Adolescents, and Children Therapy Services, Inc. (FACTS)1385 Mendota Heights Rd #200, Mendota Heights, MN 55120Phone: 612-269-8369 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.facts-mn.orgHours: M-F, hours varyTypes of Therapy Specialties: Outpatient practice with children, adolescents and adults, systemic family therapy, PCIT, CBT, Adlerian counseling, Trauma Informed TherapyClientele: Children, teens, adults, parents, familiesInsurance: Most major providersSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Occasionally

Pamela OberoiPathways Counseling Center, Inc.1919 University Ave. W., Ste. 6, St. Paul, MN 55104Phone: 612-616-0204 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.pathwayscounselingcenter.orgHours: M-F, 9-5Types of Therapy Specialties: Individual Psychology, EMDR, brainspotting refugees, trauma, war trauma, tortureClientele: Adults, families, all related to trauma/refugeesInsurance: Most major insurances, including MedicaidSliding Scale: No Credit Cards: NoAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Very oftenOther Work: Consultation, training (refugee mental health), acculturation, pro bono therapy, work at the Asian Women’s Shelter—therapy

Tim Francisco, LPCCTimothy Francisco Psychotherapy/Calli Institute11334 86th Ave N.Maple Grove, MN 55369Phone: 763-255-2125 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.calliinstitute.comHours: M.-Th., 3-8Types of Therapy Specialties: Psychodynamic, relational, Adlerian, EMDRClientele: Adults, divorce, group therapy, men’s issues, incest survivors, PTSDInsurance: AllSliding Scale: No Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Occasionally

Marcia Mayo, MARiver’s Edge Counseling & Educational Services34 Water St., Ste. 3, Excelsior, MN 55331Phone: 612-990-2069 Email: [email protected]Website:Hours: M-Th, flexibleTypes of Therapy Specialties: Specializing in ADHD and related conditions, and children and adolescent therapyClientele: Children, teens, adults, parents, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: NoAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OccasionallyOther Work: Workshops in the community on parenting issues, ADHD issues, and Collaborative Problem Solving

Susan Pye Brokaw, LMFTSusan Pye Brokaw Counseling5100 Thimsen Ave. Ste.130, Minnetonka, MN 55345Phone: 952-933-9926 Email: [email protected]Website: susanpyebrokaw.comHours: Mon. and Tues.Types of Therapy Specialties: Lifestyle, depression, anxiety, work related issues including management & Adult ADHD Coaching. Specialty: Working with issues involving ADHD, Work Relationships and Team BuildingClientele: Children, teens (not oppositional), adults, Pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance: Blue Cross Blue ShieldSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Very often

Jill M. Ellingson, LMFTBrave Soul Counseling Services, LLC8944 Indahl Ave. S., PO Box 489, Cottage Grove, MN 55016Phone: 612-242-1224Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.bravesoul.orgHours: Tues.-Sat. 8-6 (Fri/Sat 8-1)Types of Therapy Specialties: See websiteClientele: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples, divorce, parents, families, blended families, couplesInsurance: In network: BC/BS, Preferred One, MA, Tricare, state Medica plans. Out of network: All other plansSliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: Very often

Judy Richardson-Mahre, Licensure in processPartners in Parenting MN2121 Cliff Drive, Suite 111, Eagan, MN 55122Phone: 612-202-6457 Email: [email protected]Website: http://www.partnersinparentingmn.comHours: Th evenings, F afternoons, Sat. morningsTypes of Therapy Specialties: Marriage and Family Therapy, Parenting, ADHD adults and childrenClientele: Children, teens, adults, Pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended familiesInsurance:Sliding Scale: Yes Credit Cards: YesAdlerian Work:Lifestyle Work: OftenOther Work: Education – parenting, ADHD, parenting groups, parenting classes

Louise Ferry, PhD, LP, LMFTBusiness name: SCMC
Business address: Morris, MN 56267
Contact phone number: 320-766-3554
E-mail : [email protected][email protected]Days & hours clients are seen: Thursdays and FridaysI work with: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families; dementia patients and their families, SPMI clients, anger management.If you take insurance, name which ones: All insurance companiesDo you have a sliding scale? Only in the Stevens County area yesDo you take credit cards? YesI work on lifestyle: Very oftenOther types of work you do: Psychological testing to include ADHD, IQ, achievement, and personality instruments. I also can administer the Thematic Apperception Test.I am a board approved supervisor in Minnesota for LMFT. I am also a faculty member at the Adler Graduate School and a graduate of the Adler Graduate School.

Megan Meuli, M.A.Business: Target the StarsAddress:Phone: 612-352-8457Hours: Days and eveningsE-mail: [email protected]Website: targetthestars.netTypes of psychotherapy, counseling, specialties: Career counseling and coachingI work with: AdultsInsurance:Sliding scale: YesCredit cards: YesLifestyle work:Additional comments on your Adlerian work:Other types of work: Author of Twin Cities Adventure Guide, N is for Nature, Alphabet Adventures, A Soldier’s Journey.

Valerie Sayre, MA, LMFTBusiness: Nystrom & Associates, Ltd.Address: 1101 E. 78th St., Bloomington, 55420Phone: cell: 612-821-0326Hours: 7 to 3; last appt. ends 4 p.m.E-mail: [email protected]Website: http://www.nystromcounseling.comTypes of psychotherapy, counseling, specialties: Adlerian Positive Discipline, solution focused, Keirsey Temperament Sorter Personality, holistic self-care, addiction, boundaries, shame and empowerment, trauma work via EMDR and John Bradshaw’s Homecoming, grieving, single parentingI work with: Adults, divorce, parentsInsurance: MostSliding scale: NoCredit cards: Yes

Michelle DoerrBusiness: Anavah Consulting LLCE-mail: [email protected]
www.anavahconsulting.comDays & hours: by appt almost any timeMy training in Adler is through John Reardon and Phoenix Process Consultants, and Adler Graduate School in organizational development and wellness coaching. I also co-teach at Adler Graduate School on Nature in Counseling.Specialties. Coaching individuals and groups. See my website for workshop offerings.I work with: Children, teens, adults, pre-marital couples or divorce, parents, families, blended families.If you take insurance, name which ones. NoDo you have a sliding scale? NoDo you take credit cards? YesI work on lifestyle: Occasionally
Other types of work you do: Coaching and group workshops on connecting to self, others and Earth.

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Voices in the Adlerian Community

Don't listen to the mouth! (Jan. 31, 2022)By Susan Pye Brokaw, Founder, Adlerian Network

The very wise Dr. Alfred Adler suggested that you not listen to the mouth, but watch the feet move, as the feet tell you the true intention. For example, a significant other may tell you that they care about you but abuse you. The actions are telling the truth. They are using their power against you to get what they want. They don’t care about you, they only care about themselves and getting what they want. Children may respond positively to the request to clean their room, but how did their feet move? If their feet didn’t move, that was their true intention. Their intention was to not clean the room but continue to do what they are presently doing. The outcome shows you the purpose for the action.This can be applied in any situation: any relationship, work, people in authority or even those who represent you in the community or the government. Only when you understand the true intention can you respond in the best possible way. Ask yourself what you can do that will change the outcome. Do you need to change your approach, challenge your behavior, get together with others to work for change, or maybe even remove yourself from the situation or the relationship? You can’t change others, but you can change what you are doing to bring about change.You need to move toward changing your approach to get a different outcome or move toward people whose feet match their words. Sometimes you can figure out how to do this on your own, join with others who feel the same to find a solution, or sometimes it helps to seek help from someone you see as wise or a professional to guide you in a new direction.Post a reminder to yourself: Don’t listen to the mouth, watch the feet move.Susan Brokaw
Founder of Adlerian Network

Getting to Normal

By John Reardon (Jan. 17, 2022)
On January 8th, I had the pleasure of sharing in a seminar about “Team Counseling” with my colleague, Sue Brokaw. We had finished an almost 11 month therapy with a mom and her three kids. The session was a good dialogue between us and 10 of our Adlerian colleagues. During the course of that event, I made a number of references to “Normal”. I had written about that—-and—-it got waylaid, and buried in my IPad. So, this is a “re-do”We are in a period where there is a National longing for a Normal. The pandemic has in many ways insulted our social nature. Masks. Distancing. Isolation. Believing in a World where GEMEINSCHAFTSGEFUHL is a goal, a striving, and a movement creates a deep desire within us for connection.  Ironically, the pandemic has unmasked how innate “self interest”, and striving “against the other” is prevalent in American Culture. A further irony is, that is “the normal” many want to return to is: Consumption. Free movement. Profit and wealth production. Basically doing as we want. What we were led to believe is “normal”.As my ongoing Adlerian study of “the Primal self” continues to demonstrate,  the “primal” fear/threat/and felt inferiority that Birth engenders is being triggered in us, and our Nation. As that fear/threat/and inferiority is being accelerated, we hear people say “When will we get back to Normal?” The answer: we won’t! For a couple of reasons a new Normal will need to be created and constructed.1) Our scientists are preparing us for an “endemic”. A state where COVID-19 will become part of our personal and public health care process.  Like “flu” we will get the most recent vaccine to control the most recent COVID variant. New Normal.
2) The unmasking of such cultural values as “consumption determines life”, “having is the mark of worth”, “greed is a value”, “hyper individualism” marked by “freedom from any constraint” is the only Life Style worth practicing. And, the contradiction of espousing Equality, while practicing discrimination where certain people are important, others are not valued, and are intently—socially, economically, and politically marginalized.Toward creating that “new Normal” there is one thing we know, and can appreciate about Alfred Adler—-he always dealt with what was right in front of his face. When we carefully read his history, we pick up his feistiness, his challenging of peers, and his outspoken grasp of what it means to be human. Thus, we are not only trained in Adler, we are “called” by Adler to bring about a World where Social Interest is the Norm.Adler is the one who saw and stated what Normal is. This differentiates us Adlerians from the “medically trained” psychologists. They work on “dis-ease”—-we work on “living”—whether that living be “self defeated” or “full”. Part of that call is knowing what Normal is.He told us (Science of Living—p.41). Note: Adler though equality driven used “man” to generalize—-I have interspersed “person” to convey the general meaning intended.“Let us return to the normal person, who is our standard for measuring variations. The normal person is an individual who lives in society and whose mode of life is so adapted that whether they want it or not society derives a certain advantage from their work. Also from a psychological point of view they have enough energy and courage to meet the problems and difficulties as they come along. Both of these qualities are missing in the psychopathic persons: they are neither socially adjusted nor are they psychologically adjusted to the daily tasks of life.”How does this become a part of our “call” and how does it shape our work? Some thoughts:
——we know from the “Primal person” and primal-birth experience that the first 2 human goals established at birth are—-1) survival, and 2) adapting. We met in birth, the first threat with “a will to live”, and we convert the first big “minus” by “striving to overcome”. We “cried”out, and—-they came. They soothed and took care of us. We acted and created attraction, and they participated in our first “plus” experience.We learned how to “compensate”, and turn “the minus” into a “plus” state. As we grew we learned and refined our “Primal” use of our “creative force” and “spirit to overcome”. Adler also says that “creative force” and “spirit to overcome” are innate in us. And, they are attached to our “soul”.  He notes that psychology is “the Science of the Soul”.QUESTION: When we meet and sit with them—-do we say inside—“You have this. And, I know you know what to do. I can help you get good at this.” And, do we honor and use their “creative force”, “spirit to overcome”, “primal self”, and soul to help them live fully?We also know that their adapting will benefit them and those around them. When they are behaving only to benefit themselves, we know there is an “un” or “underdeveloped” sense of “Social Interest”. This deficit has a grave impact on Gemeinschaftsgefuhl.Adler would see, adapting to benefit only ones self as a neutrotic pattern. A pattern created to shield the self from the fear of having others discover ones felt inferiority. Their Purpose is to protect and safe guard against a threat to their self esteem. We can judge that as “selfish”, when in reality this pattern is their reaction to a fear-filled moment calling for a self protective move. Thus, it is an action to decrease vulnerability. Which can bring us to empathy.QUESTION: How do they relate to difficulty, struggle, and problems? Adler is saying that difficulty and struggle are normal experiences that make up our life. Are they reacting, retreating, isolating, and protesting about “life’s difficulty”? How do we “normalize” difficulty and struggle with them? This no doubt gets us into the arena of meaning. Our main tool here—-“semantics”. The words capture their meanings and the meanings capture their soulful state. In these moments, Adler has given us elegant tools. ER work, personal mistaken convictions and beliefs, flawed private logic and operational conclusions create the gateway to Normal living, with “useful” common sense, socially interested action and behavior.QUESTION: Do they present as “tired”, de-energized, ill, and “worn out”? Are they avoiding engaging and adapting? What’s the purpose of avoiding—-we ask—-knowing avoiding serves a purpose. We wonder—-“could it be that you fear something (going back into the “Primal—fear/threat/felt inferiority”)? Fear can predict and lead us and them, to “useless and useful” Purpose and movement. Purpose and movement can tell us a lot about goal of behavior and why they are distancing from Normal. Purpose and movement also may lead to ER, convictions, private logic, and flawed operational conclusions that mitigate against living a Normal Life Style.As Normal is very central to Adlerian work, and we are trained to the work, we are also  “called” to the work. This brings us to a question:
What is our Goal for them? Here we would look at the 4 Stages of Adlerian Wellness and Mental Health Work to discern:
——if we have no goal for and with them—-are we really “aligned”?
——minus a goal for and with them—-can we truly “assess” with them?
——again, without a goal for and with them—-can we effectively and efficiently “intervene” and help them?
——finally, minus a goal, how can they establish a Life Style that works and propels them to flourish?
Finally, the question: is Normal a compelling Goal, and Way we want to “take Adler to the Streets”?On January 8th, Sue and I wanted to move through 1) a model for teaming our work, 2) the process we used in the work, 3) what were the dynamics of the work. The dialogue about dynamics was engaging and it led to considering how the “closure” of the work was completed. Sue and I emphasized how essential “consultation” had been throughout our teamed work. In consult, we had decided with Bob, our 3rd teammate, to do “individual” and “family” closure.My closure was to be with the Mom. While Mom had made distinct progress, I wanted to give her a greater grasp of what a Normal personal and parenting state would be. In consult I shared that I wanted to use ER as a tool to do that. Sue advised me to make it 3 ERs. Which I did. Therein lies the value of doing consults. That encouragement proved to focus, confirm, and intensify Mom’s shifts and movement toward a clearer, more self-possessed and Normal personal state.On January 8th, I shared that I had been trained by Harold Mosak and Seymour Schneider in Chicago in the use of Life Style and ERs. Having outlined that process, which briefly consists of:
—-story
—-picture & feeling
—-complete conviction statements—-
—-complete operational conclusions statements,
I took participants through a “1st reading” and “2nd reading” comparisons of conviction and operational conclusions statements done with 2 ERs. This demonstrated personal shifts the Mom had made. I introduced the secret in this as, being deeply steeped in: —-semantics
—-meaning—-iterative listening
—-emotive memory
—-tied to striving toward “superiority”.Adler told us while we never give up “perfection” as a Goal, we continuously strive for “superiority”. Normal striving for “superiority” is
—-“horizontal”,
—-“with the others”,
—-“useful”,
—-“socially interested”,
—-with an “Inside-out” life movement”.
In this case, through Mom’s responses, we were able to see her shifting and dropping: —-“Outside-in” movement,
—-“intense personalizing of feeling de-valued”,
—-“claiming her value”,
—-and “reliance on validation by others”.
All, a movement toward a Normal Life Style.While participants were informed about “Teaming Family Work”, and given some key points to use to move in that direction, a 2 hr seminar predicts that what is shared and what is gained will be cursory. I am greatly appreciative of being invited to share by Sue, Esther, the Adlerian Network Board. At this point in the game, I want to help as many colleagues as possible get to greater depth of insight and work, with greater skill, and real results based on promoting and restoring Normal living. I look forward to future collaboration, learning, and our joint transforming effort.The Adlerian Network is doing a great service toward keeping us Adlerians together. While the Adler Grad School sends more people into the field, it is up to us to create and provide “real” community based in Adler’s “call”. Community is essential as, all institutional efforts, elevate and reinforce the “medical model”. Such efforts have intentionally and directly diminish the Adlerian Way and “call”. Ask yourself: Which approach is bringing the most desirable results—-the “dis-ease model” or the “Normal model”?
With fondness and hope,  John M. Reardon

Where Is Our Social Interest? An Open Forum (Aug. 21, 2021)

Open Forum Reply (Sept. 10,2021)
In regard to the first question below by John Reardon, this is an open forum and responses are welcome.We’re publishing some of the responses we receive.

By John ReardonIs this an open forum, where points can be sent, and shared? And, is it a place where alternative views can be expressed, and passed on. Gemein expresses the “the many”. The EIN hidden within is an honoring of the “one”. So are we the many comprised of “ones”? We know that gemeinschafts means “the community”. And “gefuhl” means feeling. So, is it the “many ones” creating community based on personal and community feeling? Very different than the American——individual or community.Today’s demonstration—-masking and inoculations. Personal Freedom colliding with a mysterious disease having an impact on community. A disease only conquered by defying our social and communitarian nature and spirit is upon us. Stay apart and distanced is the way to defeat this foe. Totally alien to our nature. And, each doing one thing—-vaccination—-is the way to conquer the foe.A Value struggle. Freedom. Life. Life without Freedom. Freedom without Life. Hope we can all see the “common sense” and the “private logic” contained in the two. This is also where we get into Adler’s understanding that “common sense” is tied to “social interest”, and “horizontal striving”, a striving “with” the other. Gemienschaftsgefuhl!Sue Brokaw talks about Adler’s injunction “to act as if the ideal community has been reached.” In that same article she quotes, Adler talks about our desire “to be perfect”. He knows, that we know, that only God is perfect. Yet we strive. Though we settle for “superiority”, we still strive for perfection. The “being like God” part is expressed in the striving. God is the ultimate striving “with the others” figure. Our striving “against” the other, for superiority, is in defense of ego, and in Thomas Merton’s views that is ano engagement in the ego and thereafter—-“false self”.The sign of God’s presence——Unity. The sign of Gemeinschaftsgefuhl——Unity of the many. So, striving to “be better than the others” is what Adler calls the ultimate “mistaken conviction” of the “vertical striver”. In its essence—-the flaw is—“In order to belong and be significant, I must be better than the others.” Tragic. Flawed “private logic”. Common sense——“In order to belong and be significant, I must be with the others, and contribute.” Unity.Another contrast, acting from Unity, and for “common good”—-and—-protecting personal freedom. Protecting personal freedom through denial of existence of threat to and protection of community and communal lives does demonstrate a “self interest” based in an invented “against” belief. Thus, with “self interest” as the norm, we live in an environment of fear, potential threat, and anxiety. Until we treat anxiety as a cultural threat, due to “self interest”, a culture of malaise expressed in anxiety will prevail. And, “the world of therapy” will continue to be “placing bandaids on broken limbs and spirits”.A final glance at our culture being basically “self interested” and detrimental to the Gemeinschaftsgefuhl is uniquely spiritual. If spirituality is based on the belief that each is created, therefore all have dignity, and inherent worth, than the breaking of and harm of relationship is classically a sin. Sin being the word that captures that human offense of harm to the other and creation. One step beyond sin is destruction of the person through relationship. That is evil. Evil being willful destruction.Given that sin is not Vogue as a focus or perspective, there is a current expression that would laud and deepen appreciation of Gemeinschaftsgefuhl. It comes from a World spiritual leader—-Pope Francis. He has recently said, “Sin is the rejection of the limits that love requires.” So, is my expression going to be merely “self interested”, and will it be “socially interested”. And will it be, what love requires?

An Adlerian Perspective on Work (April, 2021)

By Susan Pye Brokaw, Adlerian Network FounderAlfred Adler suggested that there are primarily three tasks that all people must undertake to be successful in life. They are the task of work, the task of community and the task of intimacy.Work is important for many reasons. Work provides financial security. Those who work are independent and provide for the community as well as themselves and the family. When people work, they increase their self-esteem because they are successfully contributing to the family and the community due to their efforts. It also helps to sustain their sense of value and worth.When people aren’t working it impacts both their self-esteem and their sense of worth. They have become dependent on others for their financial security. When they are given assistance or a handout, it automatically creates feelings of being less than those who are able to work successfully.As therapists we often are working with people who are not working. Over time they become more and more discouraged and begin to feel that they are a failure and not capable of successfully maintaining a job, so they must depend on others to take care of them. Therapists must believe in their clients BEFORE their clients believe in themselves. Education, training, internships or even volunteer work should be encouraged and promoted to build confidence that they can be successful.For those with profound discouragement, getting them into a volunteer position can be an excellent first step. They won’t get fired if they show up and help out, their work is greatly appreciated and they learn the basics of getting to work on time, doing the job required and getting along with fellow workers and their boss. If this is seen as a first step toward employment it lowers their fear, increases their confidence, builds their self-esteem and can provide a recommendation when they find a paying job. During the time that they are doing the volunteer work, they can get some additional training to develop their job skills.Their first paid work might be part-time or temporary work. This can be seen as the second step toward getting the job that they want. During this time the therapist can be helping their clients identify their strengths, attributes and skills that would be useful in the best job fit for them. They need to know what they need to be successful in a job. For example, some people can’t work in a room where there are a lot of distractions. They can also be made aware of the jobs that they should avoid as it demands abilities not in the client’s skill set.Work is also an issue for society. Which is better, a handout or a hand up? Too often, getting a handout is emphasized and encouraged. But this only creates dependency, as well as low self-esteem and self-worth. If the handout is greater than what a job would pay, it discourages clients from getting a job. They need to understand that it is just a starting pay and if they do their job well, they will get a pay raise after a probation period and every year after that. It will also be a work reference for a better paying job. The community should offer only temporary financial help that is tied to moving in the direction of full employment and a living wage.If the community does not do this, it leads to people living in poverty, often for generations. Self-esteem and self-worth can be destroyed. All those in the community must be vocal and insist that those who are out of work must be given a help up to get a job and manage it successfully, not just given a handout.

An Adlerian’s Perspective on Discrimination

By Susan Pye Brokaw, LMFT (Jan., 2021)Susan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in practice for more than 40 years. She is a founder and past faculty of the Adler Graduate School in Minnesota.I am not a Democrat or a Republican. In fact, I dislike politics. I am an Adlerian. Therefore, I look at the current actions in our country through the Adlerian lens and I am very concerned. As Adlerians, we see everyone as having worth and being worthy of respect. We believe that we must respect others who have a difference of opinion and work together to find solutions.Adlerians talk about the vertical and horizontal planes. On the vertical plane we feel inferior and, in our desire, to overcome these feelings we strive to be superior to others. The horizontal plane is where we need to be. On this plane, we recognize our own value and worth and the worth of all others as our social equals. We recognize that we have differing views. However, we respect one another, and we work collaboratively to find solutions.What I am seeing right now is not Democrat vs Republican, but those on the vertical plane vs those on the horizontal plane. When people are told that they cannot give their opinion it demonstrates a belief that some are superior to others and that those others are not worthy to have an opinion.I think that differences of opinion are a good thing. When we hear all opinions so that we can do some critical thinking, we come up with the best solutions. Adler said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. What he was suggesting is that individually we can reach decisions but when we hear all opinions, we get the best solutions.It is time for Adlerians to speak up. Do we want our children to believe that some are superior to others and only their opinions have value? When kids in college must seek counseling because they have heard something that is counter to their opinion, I am very concerned. They truly believe that they can’t handle hearing a view that differs from their own.I think that our country is in big trouble. When free speech is challenged it is only a matter of time before YOU are no longer allowed to have an opinion. We need to celebrate differences. We need to hear different opinions and consider the views of others. Then we need to make decisions that are best for all concerned to bring about peace, prosperity, health and safety for all.Those on the vertical plane will accuse me of being political. I ask you to return to the roots of Adlerian psychology philosophy. Ask yourself, “How would the people of this country be behaving if they are on the horizontal plane?”.

Suffering for Change

By Susan Pye Brokaw (June, 2020)
Founder, Adlerian NetworkEveryone suffers at times. There is suffering that occurs due to something outside of one’s control. I will not address that here. There is also suffering that occurs due to the choices that are made.Many years ago, an older colleague of mine made a profound statement. He said that through all his years working in mental health, he learned that it is pain that causes change. Dr. Alfred Adler said it in a different way. He was working with a patient and the patient was suffering but was not changing. Dr. Adler said to him, “I don’t think that you have suffered enough yet. You need to go home and suffer some more. When you have suffered enough and decide that you must change, please come back and I would love to work with you.”There are degrees of suffering from mild to severe. When there is something that needs changing and it isn’t addressed, the suffering begins. When nothing is done, the suffering increases over time.Think of getting a ticket for speeding as a metaphor. You made a mistake and the consequence is that you got a ticket. You suffered for a minute, and threw it aside and forgot it. Then you were called to court because you didn’t pay the ticket. You suffered a bit more but decided to avoid the court hearing. Then one day a police officer arrested you and took you to jail. Then you started really suffering. Finally, you decided you didn’t want to suffer like this anymore, so you did your time, paid your fine, decided not to speed anymore and started looking for a new job. You lost the one you had because you were in jail.When suffering occurs, it is important to examine the choices that were made that resulted in this suffering. Dr. Alfred Adler said that you are not a re-actor, but you are an actor in life. You can’t change others, only yourself. Others make choices about how they will behave and you choose how you will deal with their behavior. Sometimes several different choices have to be tried until one is found that works.Clients come to us when they are suffering. Have they suffered enough? Are they ready to change? I read a statement recently that was very profound. It said that a teacher is responsible for teaching but is not responsible for whether the student chooses to learn.Some clients are eager to learn and change. Some need to be taught the lesson many times, and maybe from several teachers, before the learning sticks. Others aren’t ready to learn yet. They would like others to change or life to change. They don’t understand that they need to learn from their suffering and change themselves and become a better person and help to create a better community.Sometimes we, as therapists, will be one of many teachers that they see before their lesson is learned. Sometimes, we have to be patient with clients who are suffering and help them realize that not changing leads to more suffering. Some stubbornly refuse to change and we have to honor their decision, as Dr. Adler did.

Notice What Works

Susan Pye Brokaw, MA, LMFT (April, 2020)
Adlerian Network FounderAdler emphasized that we should work together as equals, cooperating with others for the commonweal (the common welfare). What I notice during this difficult time is how everyone is concerned with the common welfare and taking action. People are doing what will stop the spread of the virus. They are working together to create and produce solutions. Even the Congress is working together for a change and have quickly passed the much-needed bills to help out. Amazing!Let us remember and point out to those around us that this is what works. Look what happens when we put aside our differences and all work together for the common good. What amazing things could be accomplished if this was continued after we have gotten through this difficult time.

I’m A Grateful American

By Susan Pye Brokaw, MA, LMFT (March, 2020)
Adlerian Network founderI hear all the negativity spoken, on TV, on Facebook and even from some of my friends and colleagues. This is really profound discouragement that is pervasive in the best country on the planet. It discourages me when I keep hearing it and reading it and hearing it. Alfred Adler emphasized the use of encouragement. How do we do that in this situation?I am a grateful American. I will share one thing that I am grateful for regarding our country. I started out as a social worker in the ‘60s. I was disheartened as I saw how black and Native American people were given a hand out instead of a hand up. Welfare was discouraging and it was almost impossible to rise out of poverty under the system that was created. It is hard to feel worthwhile in these circumstances. The plight of minorities has been disturbing to me for years. Nothing changed until recently.I am so grateful that unemployment in this country is the lowest that it has been in about 50 years. Finally, these folks are able to take pride in supporting themselves and their families.Could we all start expressing on social media our gratitude for the good things that are happening in our country? What would happen if we all bombarded social media with what we are grateful for in the country? I think it would be a refreshing change and maybe others would join us. This is a very simple exercise in social interest.

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