More About the MDE Technique

For a more comprehensive understanding of the missing developmental experience (MDE), in the context of the twelve stages of Classical Adlerian psychotherapy, read "Classical Adlerian Theory and Practice" at http://www.themall.net/~adler/theoprac.htm . A great deal of in-depth therapeutic work is usually achieved in the first six stages of treatment (including insight into the client's inferiority feelings, style of life, fictional final goal, antithetical scheme of apperception, and private logic) prior to the "emotional breakthrough" generated by the MDE strategy. The MDE stage oftenbegins at a point where many therapies usually end. What happens after the MDE work is unique to Classical Adlerian psychotherapy -- especially the process of dissolving the style of life and fictional final goal. (There are some currently popular "semi-Adlerian" approaches that have attempted to simplify and systematize the therapeutic process -- they may be advocating the superficial "quick fix" approach to treatment that you seem so apprehensive about.)

I'm not sure of the meaning of your comments about clients being encouraged to change memories that "may not be correct in the first place," or that may have been "remembered out of context." Also, your concerns about the techniques possibly "leading to confusion," or resulting in "disconnected memories, " and not aiming for the "cohesion and cooperation with oneself" seem related to the limitations of an inexperienced or inadequately trained therapist rather than to the MDE method.

We do not use guided imagery to simply "alter memories to make them more acceptable." We try to find a way to stimluate a new, optimistic, active, cooperative, and courageous atttitude toward living. This may be done with altering or inventing memories, eidetic images, role-playing, or narration. According to Sophia de Vries, who studied with Adler, Mueller, and Sicher, the MDE method is absolutely consistent with Adler's original teachings and creative style of treatment. Although Adler may or may not have used imagery, he insisted that a therapist had to be very creative in treatment. Adler's associate, Alexander Mueller, strongly recommended the use of imagery for eliciting positive emotional change in clients. The strength of the Classical Adlerian approach, is that it provides a model of optimal personal development, supported by a host of creative therapeutic strategies that promote a balance of cognitive, affective, and behavioral change. Our mission is to preserve the essence of Adler's original teachings and style of treatment, and continue the process of creative innovation that Adler demonstrated as a therapist.

Replies:

missing dev. exp., by Gerald Ford, 8/8/97 Re: The Missing Developmental Experience, by Henry Stein, 8/8/97

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