Focus on the Purpose of a Symptom

• A Demonstration of Classical Adlerian Psychotherapy Technique, Using Socratic Questioning With a Man Who Procrastinates by Henry Stein, 11/19/96
  • Consequence of the session? by Gil Levin, 12/6/96
    
    

The demonstration of Socratic technique, given by Sophia de Vries, focused on digging for the underlying purpose of the client's symptom. She wanted him to think deeply about it until the next session. Somewhat surprisingly, he decided to give it up in a few hours. I don't believe that she was primarily trying to stop the procrastination in that first session--she was trying to stimulate insight. When a client becomes aware of the hidden purpose of his symptom, he may not only discontinue it, there is also a good chance that he will not replace it with another symptom.

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