The Journal of Individual Psychology

Abstract:

Historically, Adlerian theory and the practice of psychotherapy have been extended into family work ever since Adler brought his philosophy into the reality of the social life and social sciences. Similarly, family systems theorists and practitioners have been integrating Adlerian ideas from the very beginning. Yet shared wisdom and shared practice between the two are debated, perhaps mirroring many other debates in the ever-growing behavioral health arena. Focusing on the overlapping concepts of holism, belongingness, and social interest, and within a context of life tasks, this article brings together Adlerian family therapy and family systems theory in application to the case of a transgender couple planning to have children—an example of a modern family. The authors offer a shared case conceptualization without abandoning foundational principles of either lens while incorporating LGBTQ affirmative approaches consistent with the social justice stance of both Adlerian and family systems theories.