Re: The Missing Developmental Experience

• New Adlerian Treatment Technique! by Henry Stein, 5/23/97
  • (...)
    
    • missing dev. exp. by Gerald Ford, 8/8/97
      
      

The MDE approach often introduces new nurturing experiences that may begin in early childhood. However, in some cases, a series of supportive experiences may have to be extended to adolescence or even adulthood. In our recent five-day marathon group therapy training, a participant first needed an accepting, encouraging experience from his mother at the age of five; after digesting this emotionally, we offered him a similar experience at the age of fourteen; finally, he needed a parallel closure experience at the age of thirty-six. It was fascinating to see him "grow up" psychologically as we proceeded through the MDE roleplaying.

At times, we also "re-work" old memories to test the impact of alternative resolutions. We can either change what the others might have done (with appropriate guidance), or explore what else the client could have done within the difficult situation.

Sometimes, the client benefits from the creation of a fantasy "antidote memory" that can be called up alongside an old toxic memory. For some people, this can be quite healing.

The effective use of the MDE technique, in Classical Adlerian psychotherapy, requires creativity and an ability to invent whatever unique form and content a particular client will accept and be able to cognitively and emotionally digest.

No Replies