Diagnostic Guessing from the Initial Greeting

• The Case of Harold Payne by Don Nathanson, 8/11/96
  
  

There are a series of early clues that aide the Classical Adlerian diagnostic process. Don, if you can recall your initial impressions, they could be quite helpful. How did Harold greet you? Was there good eye contact? What was his facial expression and posture? What was the quality of feeling he expressed toward you? What did you sense he expected of you? Adler suggested that clients generally introduce themselves according to their style of life. The uncertainty of a new situation prompts a practiced approach that frequently reflects, in miniature, the individual's fictional final goal and attitude toward life.

The first installment of the case indicated that Harold initially talked about "mutual reputations." Was this focus on reputation a clue to his style of life? Does he wish to make a great impression from the very beginning?

• The Initial Greeting by FACULTY Don Nathanson, 9/9/96