The Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler – an introduction

Abstract

This article provides an introduction to the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler (Adlerian Psychology), its key concepts, its vision of psychopathology and the basic principles of the therapeutic intervention, both classic and current. The following points are discussed: first, it is stressed that the poor reception of this orientation in Spanish-speaking countries contrasts with that it had and is having in other countries. Second, it is described that throughout its evolution, Adlerian Psychology and more recent therapeutic orientations have been fertilizing each other, and therefore, Individual Psychology has undergone changes, further development and convergence with other approaches. And third, it is noted that Individual Psychology is also an idealistic philosophy of life with a strong ethical implication.