The International Society of Psychotherapy and Counselling has accredited our postgraduate, professional training. Successful completion leads to international recognition of our Certificate in Psychotherapy. Training is based on one-to-one or small-group mentorship, with a maximum of five participants. Weekly study sessions and telephone or internet discussions are the basis of training. In addition to a rigorous study of Adlerian theory and practice, the program includes personal study analysis and extensive individual case supervision.

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We train students in Adler's style of treatment: a warm, gentle, Socratic approach that respectfully challenges clients. To promote optimal functioning, we integrate Adler's vigorous optimism with the inspiring ideas of Abraham Maslow. Drawing on Adler's solid psychological foundation, we adapt therapeutic strategies, such as eidetic imagery, to compensate for missing developmental experiences. This approach is based on Adler's original clinical writings, as well as the work of Sophia de Vries, Alexander Mueller, Lydia Sicher, and other early adherents of Adlerian psychology.

Our team of classically educated Adlerian training analysts provides distance training in Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy (ADP) to mental health professionals and students anywhere in the world, via telephone, Zoom, and e-mail. With their individual mentors, our students engage in: home study of audio-recorded seminars and video-recorded therapy demonstrations; supplementary reading of rare, unpublished materials; weekly discussions, personal study-analysis, and case consultations by telephone; self-paced progress; and customized training to match their professional interests and needs. Mastering the art of Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy takes more than learning a theory and a series of strategies. It requires ongoing mentoring from a highly experienced clinician whose character reflects Adlerian philosophy. This experience is essential to grasp the necessary depth of feeling and trust in the therapeutic process. Larger institutions rarely offer this master-apprentice relationship. Our training analysts work with a limited number of psychotherapists in order to bring each of them to a high level of mastery. Adler handed down a remarkable legacy of therapeutic artistry to a small group of first generation Adlerians. Each of them trained a few others very comprehensively. This tradition of quality and depth cannot be translated effectively into large group instruction. Only a mentor with expertise in Adler's original principles and therapeutic style, who has completed an effective study-analysis, can offer the personal relationship necessary for training of this caliber. Mentors may alter the content and length of courses to facilitate individual progress.

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Accredited ISPC certification recognizes that participants have earned a sufficient level of knowledge and skill in the practice of Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy. This process typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete.  A prerequisite for certification is the fulfilment of any local licensing requirements in counseling and psychotherapy. We do not award academic credit or degrees; therefore, these requirements must be earned at an accredited educational institution. Essentially, we offer postgraduate professional training. However, individuals may begin work with us if they are enrolled in a master's or doctoral program. Most of our students are licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and physicians.

The full certification program in ADP takes about three to four years of weekly study and a minimum of three, 3-day, on-site, experiential workshops. The total cost of the training is about $25,000 depending on the amount of study-analysis, case-study, and special topics. Students pay for each course as they begin it.

Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy achieves a unique integration of the cognitive, affective, intuitive, creative, and somatic realms which must be experienced in order to be understood. No amount of academic study alone can prepare someone to learn this multi-faceted art. Students must begin a weekly, personal study-analysis, in order to absorb this complex process first-hand, so they can duplicate it with a client. Students must also use the opportunities offered by the annual, 3-day, on-site, experiential workshops to work on personal issues face-to-face with our training analysts and other students, thus further internalizing this complex art in order to provide the full depth and range of Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy to clients. Participaton in a minimum of 3 workshops is required for certification.

• Foundational Theory
  • • This course offers a five-week introduction to our training program. You will read several of Adler's foundational writings on theory, philosophy, and practice, watch videos featuring Sophia de Vries and Henry Stein, and view a rare newsreel of Alfred Adler. Each week, you will also engage in a Zoom or telephone discussion with a training analyst about the material you have studied. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the material or its application.
• Intermediate Theory: Part I
  • • Using The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler, by Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher, as a basic text, the reading is supplemented by full articles by Adler along with vivid graphics on selected topics. All of his theoretical, philosophical, and therapeutic constructs are examined in depth.
• Intermediate Theory: Part II
  • • Using The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler, by Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher, as a basic text, the reading is supplemented by full articles by Adler along with vivid graphics on selected topics. All of his theoretical, philosophical, and therapeutic constructs are examined in depth. (Continuation of Intermediate Theory - Part I.)
• Advanced Theory
  • • The works of three original Adlerians, Sophia de Vries, Alexander Mueller, and Lydia Sicher are studied and compared to Adler's writings.
• Mastering Core Constructs
  • • Accelerated learning techniques are combined with graphics to stimulate vivid personal images of the main Adlerian constructs..
• Comprehensive Study of The CollectedClinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volumes 1 & 12
  • • A comprehensive study of The Neurotic Character and The General System of Individual Psychology

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• Case Analysis and Treatment Planning
  • The objectives of this course are 1) to connect theoretical understanding with practical diagnostic skill and 2) to develop a series of efficient strategies, including computer programs and dynamics genograms, for comprehensive case analysis and creative treatment planning.
• Individual Adult Psychotherapy: Part I
  • Objectives of this course include developing a comprehensive blueprint for the tasks and stages of psychotherapy as well as learning and practicing techniques for cognitive, affective, and behavioral change, including the Socratic method, guided and eidetic imagery, and role-playing.
• Individual Adult Psychotherapy: Part II
  • In this course, the objective is to gain a full understanding of the process of psychotherapy by following one simulated case from beginning to end. In a five-day master seminar, the major phases of treatment are demonstrated in role plays, followed by group questions and discussion.
• Couple Therapy
  • This course in Couple Therapy explores the interlocking dynamics of two styles of life. Herein you will learn the strategies and techniques of couple therapy which are based on the principles of individual psychotherapy, trace the cultural norms of sexual equality and dominance and establish criteria for optimal couple functioning.
• Child & Family Therapy
  • In this course, we endeavor to understand the reciprocal life style dynamics of an entire family. Other goals include learning the strategies and techniques for working with children, parents, and families and developing preventative educational programs for parents and teachers.
• Brief, Group, and Marathon Therapy
• Substance Abuse Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment
  • A Unique Combination of Substance Abuse and Adlerian Training, this course provides an opportunity to learn innovative Adlerian techniques and strategies for working with alcoholic/chemically dependent clients. The creative Adlerian approach enhances traditional substance abuse treatment models and AA/NA recovery programs
• Advanced Socratic Method - Part I
  • Learn the principles and techniques of the Socratic method and its use in psychotherapy and supervision.
• Advanced Socratic Method - Part II
  • Learn more advanced principles and techniques of the Socratic method and its use in psychotherapy.

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• Basic Case Study
  • Here you will gain a wide variety of life style analyses by studying selected audio-taped group case study seminars. Each seminar normally includes a full life style analysis, treatment recommendations, and role-playing of therapeutic techniques.
• Intermediate Case Study
  • In this course, our students gain a wide variety of life style analyses by studying selected audio-taped group case study seminars. Each seminar normally includes a full life style analysis, treatment recommendations, and role-playing of therapeutic techniques. Cases are more complex and difficult than those presented in Basic Case Study. Some cases involving couples are included.
• Advanced Case Study
  • A continuation of Basic and Intermediate Case Study.  Cases increase in complexity and difficulty. Some cases involving families are included.
• Case Consultation
  • Students bring their own cases and have a chance to understand them from an Adlerian Depth perspective.  Each consultation focuses on one case in depth, utilizing a time-saving, structured presentation format. Discussions cover a full life style analysis, recommendations for a treatment plan, and therapeutic progress. Suggestions are offered to solve therapeutic problems.
• Supplementary Case Analysis
  • To refine case analysis skills, client questionnaires provided by the instructor are examined and analyzed.  Each consultation focuses on one case in depth, utilizing a time-saving, structured presentation format. Discussions cover a full life style analysis and a treatment plan.
• BiWeekly Group Case Study
  • Students are invited to expand case analysis insights by presenting and discussing cases with a group of experienced ADP therapists and fellow students. Each consultation usually focuses on one case in depth, utilizing a semi-structured presentation format. Discussions invite vigorous diagnostic guessing, leading to a comprehensive life style analysis and a treatment plan.

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The Personal Study Analysis allows an experience of Adlerian depth psychotherapy first-hand.  We use this process to provide our students with an opportunity to maximize personal and professional growth while integrating personal insights with Adler's theoretical constructs and Maslow's model of optimal functioning.

Goals of the Study Analysis:

• Experience a Full Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy
• Gain a Comprehensive Insight into Your Style of Life
• Overcome Personal and Professional Difficulties
• Discuss the Process at Each Therapeutic Stage
• Discover the Roots of your own Creative Process

• Career Assessment and Guidance
• Organizational Consulting
• Conducting Parent & Pre-School TeacherEducation Workshops
• World Test Adminstration
• Conducting Classroom Teacher EducationWorkshops
• Conducting Workshops for Parents of Teens
• Customized Directed Study in SubstanceAbuse Treatment

On-Site Experiential Workshop (3 Days) in which students gain direct experience of the therapeutic process within a group workshop.
A minimum of three annual workshops are required for certification. Ongoing annual attendance is recommended

The Capstone Project, the final step in our ADP certification process, involves the development of an Adlerian focused article to be submitted for publication. Oversight will be provided throughout the course of the project and the possibility exists of collaboration with other ADP students. The article will be an original contribution exemplifying the practical interest of the student in applying Adler's theory to practice.

Finally, the article is to serve as the basis for a presentation at the next On-Site Experiential Workshop convened after certification. Live or video production to be published at AAISR website