Reflections About Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy: Theory, Practice, and Life

A vigorously optimistic and inspiring approach to prevention and treatment, Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy balances the equally important needs for individual, optimal development and social contribution. With a solid foundation in the original teachings and therapeutic style of Alfred Adler, it integrates the self-actualization research of Abraham Maslow. For more information, visit our web site at http//www.Adlerian.us

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Location: Bellingham, Washington, United States

Classical Adlerian psychotherapist and training analyst. Director of the Alfred Adler Institute of Northwestern Washington, offering distance training in Classical Adlerian psychotherapy. Tel: (360) 647-5670. Email: htstein@att.net

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Birth Order Audio Program Now Available in MP3 for iPod

The extremely popular program, "Birth Order: Sense and Nonsense," originally released in DVD video format, is now available in a CD audio (MP3) format, and can be played on any computer or transferred to an iPod for convenient listening. For details and online ordering, go to http://www.Adlerian.us/birth-vcd.htm .
In this 60-minute interview, conducted by Mick Conefrey of the British Broadcasting Company, Dr. Stein offers a candid perspective on the value, application, and limits of birth order theory, including the contributions of Alfred Adler, Frank Sulloway, Judith Harris, Margarite Goertzel, Hugh Missildine, and Thomas Verney.

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Saturday, June 07, 2008

The Impact of Technology on Thinking

In the July/August issue of The Atlantic, author Nicholas Carr discusses the effect of technology on our thinking process in his article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?." Tracing the developments of oral history, writing, the printing press, typewriters, computers, and the Internet, he speculates on the impact of the various mediums of writing and reading. I resonated with many of his comments. Although I find many interesting articles though Google searches, if they contain any significant depth and require deep study, I find it difficult to focus on the material on computer screen, I have to print it out, highlight important passages, and make marginal notes in pencil. When taking notes during session with a client or when conducting case consultations, I find it best to take my notes with a favorite fountain pen, a well balanced Pilot Nakmiki (retractable, very fine point), using dense, black ink, on smooth, green tinted, wide-margin paper. The aesthetic pleasure of writing with this beautiful instrument, cannot be achieved with any ballpoint or fiber-tipped pen I've tried. I can do an abundance of searching on the Internet, and find it fascinating to organize and brainstorm material using outliners like Ecco Pro and graphics programs like Edge Diagrammer, but when it comes to the homestretch of in-depth study, a good pen or pencil on paper seems to be more appealing. Also, the popular fascination with speed, seems to minimize the relevance of affect--subtle feelings often take time to digest.

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Adlerian Humor: Pathways to Superiority


Symptom competition.

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Windows, Mac, & Linux (Ubuntu)

I'm a long time Windows OS user, and at the urging of an associate, I bought a Mac laptop about a year ago. It took a while to adjust to the new format, but I began to appreciate the clean, coherent interface. Out of curiosity, I also tried the Knoppix version of Linux, running it solely from a CD--interesting, but not compelling. However, I just discovered the Unbuntu version of Linux and installed it on my old Pentium III laptop, leaving Windows in one partition. To my surprise and delight, Ubuntu is a lovely interface. Getting adjusted to Linux has taken some patience, but the prospect of a totally free OS and an abundance of free applications is hard to resist. I've also discovered a small, helpful group of users on an Ubuntu forum who generously provide guidance to the beginner. With the exception of a few favorite applications like Ecco Pro, and Edge Diagrammer, I've been able to find plenty of Linux versions of applications like OpenOffice, Skype, and C-Map. The built-in browser and email program work just fine. Give Ubuntu a try--its a refreshing newcomer, and you can't beat the price.

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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Adlerian Humor: Atypical Royalty Disorder


Generic jesters don't always work.

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Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Theater's Tendency to Promote Empathy

A recent review, in "The New York Times Book Review" (6/1/08) of Paul Woodruff's new book, The Art of Watching and Being Watched, suggests that an individual's capacity for empathy is a good index of his mental health. Woodruff proposes that theater has a tendency to promote empathy: "We must all listen to each other because we are human, because we see only what we can from where we stand, because there is more to be seen than any one of us can appreciate alone." Alfred Adler often described great art as the artistic expression of empathy.