Welcome to The Connection
March 2021 Issue
President’s Address
Greetings fellow Adlerians,
As you know we have a conference coming up in May at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee and at a computer screen near you. This will be a hybrid conference. Last May we held a very successful virtual conference, and we want to build on that success, but many of us also yearn for in-person contact. We are Adlerians. We are social beings. We want to share space with one another.
We understand that many will be hesitant about attending in person, even with the vaccine. However, at this point, a majority of our presenters plan to be in person. We will ensure physical distancing in our meeting rooms, and the hotel is arranging safe meal service. It will not be a “typical” NASAP in some respects because some of you will choose to participate remotely, but it will still be what was described by Guy Manaster and Ray Corsini in their book Individual Psychology: Theory and Practice (1982):
The meetings fit the requirements of a scientific gathering; that is, there are paper sessions and symposia on research, theory & practice, innovations in therapy, counseling, and in schools. But, the atmosphere and the interactions are like no other scientific meetings we have ever attended. It is as if social interest were the normative mode of operations for the community. People are friendly. There are no “big shots” or “little shots”; everyone is, and seems to feel, equal. Everyone is teaching and learning; everyone has value. It is hard to distinguish the formal meetings from the social functions from free time. There is laughter and seriousness in all settings. Interest in each other, interest in the task, and the living of the theory are as one. People who accept Adlerian theory exhibit the social, active, and optimistic tenants of the theory (p. 17. Italics in original).
While I hope to bump elbows with many of you in Milwaukee, I know that as Adlerians we will nevertheless be as one.
- Tim
Letter from the Editors
Greetings from the Editorial Team of The Connection!
This month, we share our regular contributors’ columns, as well as a few other submissions. We have a few updates from some of NASAP’s Sections and Committees, including the Conference and Ethics Committees, and the Social Justice Task Force to share with you all.
We are always seeking your submissions. Please contact us directly at nasapnews@gmail.com with any questions.
We need more help on our editorial team!
Here are some things we are looking for:
Approximately 1 hour per week time commitment (this will be on your own time, self-directed work, scheduled according to your time availability).
Ability to meet with the entire Editorial Committee on a bi-monthly basis.
Must own a working computer with access to the Internet.
Squarespace Experience.
Someone with knowledge and experience using and editing in APA 7th edition.
Someone with knowledge and experience of basic website design and/or editing.
Someone with knowledge and experience using an email service such as MailChimp.
Willingness to be flexible and roll with changes.
We hope you enjoy the March issue.
Contact us directly with feedback, (please do not email the Office).
See you soon,
The Editorial Team
Regular Columns
A Classic
By Rocky Garrison, Ph.D.
The title of this speech is a phrase coined by Sophie Lazarsfeld in 1925 (see Lazarsfeld, 1991) that has become a buzzword for Individual Psychology. The tone of this speech is more personal and intimate than a journal article; there are no references. Dreikurs frequently speaks subjectively to illustrate his point, as in “… if I am critical of myself, I naturally am going to be critical of the people around me” (p. 5). He is more persuasive than informative, concluding with, “We have to learn to live with ourselves and the relationship of natural limitations and the full awareness of our own strengths” (p. 6).
Author Information: Rudolf Dreikurs (1897 – 1972) worked in the Individual Psychology Child Guidance Clinics in Vienna in the 1920’s. He moved to Chicago in 1937 and in 1952 founded the Institute of Adlerian Psychology, which has evolved into Adler University.
This speech examines the negative effects of a perfectionistic style of thinking, and the importance of a person’s beliefs about mistakes. For Dreikurs, the individual’s assessment of the importance of mistakes is a core personality attribute that shapes their beliefs about self and others. He identifies two negative consequences of avoiding mistakes: discouragement and an increased likelihood of making the mistake. Dreikurs goes on to assert that practices in the field of education are “mistake centered,” emphasizing the discouraging impact of most testing that students are subjected to.
This speech also contrasts the impact of mistakes on the horizontal and the vertical style of movement, and in an autocratic and democratic society, asserting that the decline of the autocratic society has led to a fading of absolute right and a relativity in right and wrong. This evolution, in turn, changes how mistakes are experienced, becoming less dangerous because of punishment by our authorities and more personal: “If I do something wrong and you find out that I am doing something wrong, Then I am no good. And if I am no good, then I have no respect, I have no status” (p. 3).
References
Dreikurs, R. (1957 July 25). The courage to be imperfect [speech transcript]. University of Oregon.
Lazarsfeld, S. (1991). The courage for imperfection. Individual Psychology, 47 (1), 93-96.
Wellness for Life
by Lois Marecek, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
The Power of Words
Some of us periodically find ourselves going down memory lane. These flashbacks incorporate a wide range of things. There may be one, two, or more reflecting those school days. They may focus on friends, events, teachers, or even subjects.
Many of us who took English or the Language Arts may recall the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” (Bulwer-Lytton in 1839). Well, taking it a step further, this can also be said by the power of words. Words are expressed in a variety of ways. They can be heard, read, spoken, or written. Words have a way of impacting our lives.
What’s so fascinating and interesting is, that when you say something, you have a tendency to internalize it via mind, body, and spirit. As a result, words have a way of eliciting feelings. We all have choices. You can choose which words to surround yourself with.
Let’s face it, we all have had moments of feeling down. Look at the past year. It’s been a year since COVID-19. Somehow we have had the tenacity to continue putting one foot in front of the other — moving forward. Sure, it’s not been easy, quite challenging for that matter. Some of us the motivation has been finding our strength/stamina/resilience through creativity by means of the arts, spiritual inspiration/hope. For others, its foundation can originate from helping / service to others. No matter the path, here we are!
As a former school counselor and teacher, I would say to students, parents, staff and colleagues, there is one thing we can benefit from having to revive/revitalize especially when we are experiencing those ‘cold prickly’ moments — a ‘warm fuzzy’ folder. Within can be cards, notes, letters, pictures from our kids, etc. that you have received from others over the years. In other words, it is feedback — belief, encouragement, courage, and love of who you are.
And in case you need to re-energize or remind you of those encouraging/positive/motivational words, there is the Internet which has lists upon lists. “Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” – Proverbs 16:24 (King James Bible).
Just as we associate water with life, these types of words will keep your well full. Keep them flowing! To round things out, Rudolf Dreikurs might say, “Our emotions are the steam which we give ourselves in order to fortify ourselves in the direction in which we want to move.” (Dreikurs-Ferguson, 2000)
And now to close with something humorous you might consider doing. It has been known to create laughter, smiles and release endorphins. This year, March 18th is noted as, “Awkward Moments Day”. The creator is unknown and it appears to have come to life in 2017.
Here’s how it works. First, setting the tone by accepting your awkwardness, well, for this moment. Next, it’s important to approve of and brush away your past awkward moments. Continuing on, take a deep breath and have the courage to share those ‘memorable’ moments with someone. Last, be able to come to the realization that “life is too short to dwell on it, or remain embarrassed for long”. holidayinsights.com Laughing at you can be medicinal in the long run.
Stay well and hydrated.
Warm Fuzzies
Lois
References
Bulwer-Lytton, E. (1839). Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy: A Play in Five Acts (second ed.).
Dreikurs-Ferguson, E. (2000). Sayings of Rudolph Dreikurs. ICASSI.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)
Dancing on the Waves
Xiaoxuan Qu
Hello Folks,
While the New Year on the Gregorian calendar was celebrated a while back, the Chinese recently celebrated the Lunar New Year. The biggest celebration fell on New Year’s Eve, February 11th, when folks gathered for food and entertainment to transition to the first day of the Lunar 2021.
As much as I joined my family and friends for the festival, the Spring semester at Syracuse started almost simultaneously. I needed to switch my festive mode on and off in order to balance work and social time. Instead of feeling pressured or guilty about having fun, I gave myself permission to cherish the moments as they were. Those conjunctive activities, whether to be cleaning or cooking, turned out to be uplifting experiences.
As always, a common symbol uniting my folks is food. We love shopping for ingredients, planning on recipes, and spending time cooking together. This year, however, a new connection was the sentiment of missing two late family members – Laolao and Nainai, my maternal and paternal grandmothers. We looked back nostalgically on the memories we had with them. By doing this together, we felt pulled together with affection and hope.
I would like to share this feeling of grounding and cheerfulness with you, whoever you are and wherever you are reading these humbly heartfelt words at this moment. I hope the accompanying image would help convey this affection, too. My mother took that photograph after we made peanut nougats, and decorated the home with blessings. I hope this short article brings sweetness to your life.
- Xiaoxuan Qu
What’s the Story?
Les White
“What’s the Story?”: Life Style Narratives Study Group (an affiliate of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology)
What’s the Story? considers an individual’s Early Recollections or perceived important memories as if, “strung together,” they compose a short story. We then interpret that “story” (our “reading”) by applying critical thinking methods adapted from literary and educational institutions, such as The Great Books Foundation, which promote a deeper comprehension of a text.
We’re a book club with a twist
Click here for a PDF of the summary of : The Early Recollections of Adler, Freud, and Jung
from the meeting on Sunday, February 7, 2021 (Adler’s actual birthday)
Adler in Depth & Breadth
by Erik Mansager
© Manuel Sicairos. Color Study 9, 2020. Digital media.
© Manuel Sicairos. Color Study 11, 2020. Digital media.
© Manuel Sicairos. Color Study 4, 2020. Digital media.
From Human-iac to Brain-iac and back!
I enjoy reading Dan Siegel and deepening my understanding of our interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB). Currently, I’m finishing a re-read of his work, The Mindful Therapist (2010). What a clever and useful book it is for learning about our capacity for mindfulness, and how to apply it in therapy.
I’ve always appreciated Siegel’s creativity. He offers several clever ways to understand “personality proclivities”, and “patterns of developmental pathways” what Adlerians might see as the stuff of Life Style. Siegel is second to none in explaining neurologically how we move from notion to motion – from the “neural firing” of subjective experience (movement from an “open plane of possibility” to “plateaus of probability” and often automatically into “peaks of activation”) or how we can apply “the wheel of awareness” to break up these “proclivities and propensities” [check out Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence (gottman.com)].
I have favorites among his mindful-simplifications. Imagine: our infant neuro-propensity can be compared to the pattern formation of rain drizzling on a window: Here come the first few drops – all separated and sticking to the glass. Then more arrive ... UNTIL(!) one of them randomly runs down the window forming a rivulet. Sure enough, as more rain arrives there’s no more hesitation. Instead, the rivulets set the pattern and the propensity of the drops is to follow the established rivulet.
And so, it is (kind of) with our neuro connections, those that “fire together, wire together”, not unlike the rivulets on a window. The repetitious firing of neuronal “rivulets” can describe various “states” we find ourselves in. If these states become repetitious enough, the propensities make up our patterned thinking, feeling, and behaving, and we call them “traits.”
The point of The Mindful Therapist is that the troublesome varieties of these traits can be dealt with by mindfully applying the aids mentioned above – meditational varieties linked to the Wheel of Awareness.
Good stuff.
But, with deeply burdened clients, I’m left knowing just how difficult it is to help them find their way. Neuronal modification, no matter how clearly Siegel explains it, is no simple process. Or so said a colleague on this topic in Tucson at the 2019 NASAP conference. The colleague was beside himself lamenting the inherent difficulty of modifying our clients’ neuropathways! “How am I to understand brain neurology well enough to help my clients change?!” he lamented.
Difficult? Yes! But not, well … brain science. The path to mind modification has been with us since our species has been walking upright – or maybe before.
We talk!
With words and gestures, we develop a relationship – and interpersonally, we modify one another’s outlook on life. After all, that’s the “I” in “IPNB”! Siegel reminds us not to lose sight of the power of interpersonal sharing while re-educating ourselves about all the “brain basics.”
We need not focus on changing brains as much as we need to focus ourselves on developing a healing relationship. The embodied mind will follow, modify, and heal – neuroplasticity is its thing.
Siegel teaches this via the many ways of mindfulness. What I find missing – hinted at but still undiscovered – is that there is purpose behind our neuro wiring. The metaphorical mental rivulets that start when we are infants and children and remain active in our adult lives, do so for a reason. Yes, happenstance and overuse is part of the story; and not revising our histories when we have new experiences is a human proclivity, to be sure. But it is not altogether accidental that we do not revise. Nor are our mental, emotional and physical propensities all that amenable to undoing – even by means of the disciplined activity of mindfulness.
Things persist for a purpose.
I’m certainly in agreement that no healing occurs without preparing the mind – even developing one’s theory of mind. And, speaking of which, I’ll go into the different ways Siegel and Adler use the word, “intentional” next time, but I want to pose the thought, “When someone does something (or nothing), it’s not for no reason.”
This was Adler’s idea, anyway. And he offered a plan other than Dan Siegel’s for getting after this phenomenon. It is compatible with IPNB for sure. Still, might there be more to healing than mind modification and knowing in an integrated way our capacity to sense energy and information flow?
If Siegel’s organizing principles are neurologically oriented in a “triceptive” way to brain, mind, and one another, Adler’s keen Understanding of Human Nature (1998) starts and stays with the interpersonal – and stands or falls to the notion of a unified personality. He did not have the access we do to the wonderful neuro-news available nowadays – although he accurately described limbic region functioning and a fair amount of the attachment process. [More on these topics to come.]
These two thinkers, Siegel and Adler – today’s brainiac and our very own humaniac – have much in common. In upcoming columns, I’ll take a shot at some of this as well as what can still be considered Adler’s singular contributions to our healing field.
References
Adler, A. (1998). Understanding human nature. Hazelden.
Siegel, D. J. (2010). The mindful therapist. A clinician’s guid to mindsight and neural integration. Norton.
Additional Submissions
Equality in Couple Relationships
by Susan Brokaw, LMFT
There is no other task in life that is as difficult as a couple relationship. In other tasks, one can take a break or walk away, but in a committed relationship, this may be more difficult to do. Equality is essential in any healthy couple relationship. Equality means that both people are equal in value and worth. Therefore, they both must be treated with respect regardless of whether they agree or disagree. Equality and mutual respect must be consistent in any relationship. It is important that each individual’s words, tone of voice, and body language reflect this.
People often differ in their backgrounds, values, temperaments, and have different past experiences. Each individual may have their own unique wishes or desires. As a result, they sometimes have a difference of opinion. There may be some things that are very important to one person, but may not be important to another. For example, some have a strong desire for orderliness, others not so much, and some don’t care at all.
The challenge becomes how to resolve differences without devaluing the other person. It is possible to be clear that the person is valued in spite of differences.
When both people are valued, the person who is bringing up the issue is allowed to explain the issue, including their thoughts and feelings about it without criticism or judgment. Once it is clear that the other person understands (this doesn’t mean agrees) what the other person thinks and feels, it is an appropriate time to respond. Notably, it is important that the response is received with respect, just as it was for the person sharing the issue. If one person in the relationship feels a lack of equality and worthiness in the exchange, defending their worth and gaining equality will become more important than solving the problem.
Once the two positions are clearly understood, it is a good time to negotiate a mutually agreed-upon decision. The exception would be if a strongly held value would have to be compromised, and the person acknowledges that to compromise on that value is a deal-breaker to the relationship. An example of this may be if one partner desires to have an open relationship where intimacy is allowed with others outside of the relationship, but for the other person, there would be no compromise because of a value of monogamy, and total commitment to the relationship.
When trying to reach an agreement, in many cases the partners are only considering two options, ‘your way or my way.’ This results in a temporary win for one, and a loss for the other, or an impasse. However, in the long term both have lost because of the anger, hurt, and feelings of being treated as less than equal in the relationship.
To solve a problem as equals, many possible solutions may be considered. I suggest that eight different solutions be considered regardless of cost, or willingness to agree. Combinations of some suggestions may be one of the solutions. When all the solutions are named, each person may eliminate any solution that would not be agreed upon. Other solutions are discussed to determine the one solution that both will agree to try for a designated period of time. The couple may agree to revisit the solution at the end of that time to determine if the solution is acceptable. If it is not, another possible solution is tried.
Sometimes, in spite of knowing that the partner must be treated as an equal and work must be done to resolve the issue, one or both do not follow through. This is when it is beneficial to enter therapy to understand the underlying beliefs that are interfering with the ability to solve the problems. When both partners are committed to change in order to have a healthy relationship, there is a greater likelihood for successful problem-solving.
There may be one partner who has no desire to change but wants the other to comply with their will. The other partner in the relationship has to decide what to do. In this situation, the other partner may choose to change the situation, such as removing themselves from the situation when it occurs, or possibly even permanently. Another option may be to focus on changing oneself in regards to the way that one thinks, feels, or acts in regards to the situation. Finally, the other partner may choose to accept that this is the relationship they will always have with this person and decide to live with it without complaints.
Next in this series will be Equality in the Family.
Susan is a founder of AGS and a faculty emeritus. She has a private practice in Minnetonka.
Adlerian Spotlight
Dr. Kimberly M. Martin, PsyD
PsyD, Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology (now Adler University).
Certifications: Mind-Body Medicine from the Center of Mind-Body Medicine, Registered Yoga Teacher (200 hr),
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology.
Former Adjunct with Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.
What do you do?
I run, I meditate, I participate in on-line dance classes, I order books that I'll never be able to finish. I'm a novice sprint triathlete, I travel solo and meet locals for interesting conversation. I work on building personal community and connection. I practice Buddhism and have found Sangha with a Vietnamese Buddhist community in Indiana. I take a million pictures of my dog, Karma (a beautiful chihuahua).
Where do you work?
I'm self-employed and work in private practice. I'm currently licensed in the States of Indiana, Virginia, and (temporarily) New Jersey. In my work with individual clients, I engage in sessions based on Adlerian Psychology. I also utilize my privilege as a Clinical Psychologist to offer community workshops and educational opportunities designed to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and increase access to mental health information. These workshops and educational opportunities are under the umbrella of Tea and Therapy, my social entrepreneurial effort to bring mental health to the community through workshops, podcasts, and written materials.
Research interests/Life Task interests:
My research interests are still developing, and I'm currently interested in reading/ researching Critical race theory, Intersectionality as a social construct, mind-body wellness, and Intergenerational Trauma. Looking at the three basic life tasks, I'm most interested in examining the tasks of friendships and love/intimacy.
If I could be any animal:
I would be a cat, I appreciate the peaceful presence of cats, and their unapologetic nature to just be and do. They usually have a quiet presence and are such gentle souls.
If I could have lunch with one person from the past:
Slightly tricky question, the past as in currently living? or the past as in deceased? If I could have lunch with one person from the past who is no longer with us today, I'd like to have lunch with James Baldwin. I'd like to hear his ideas on the state of the world today, his ability to find belonging in a foreign land, and his views on identity. What would you eat? I don't enjoy eating and talking/meeting. I'd offer to meet with him over a cup(s) of afternoon tea. If in Paris, maybe croissants and a chai latte. If I could travel to the past and have lunch with someone, I'd have lunch with Angela Davis after she returned from her studies in Germany.
Why I joined NASAP:
I joined NASAP in search of a sense of belonging and to stay in contact with other Adlerian Professionals. In my city of Indianapolis, very few psychologists and mental health professionals get together on a personal basis and most are not Adlerian Psychologists or aware of Adlerian Psychology. I joined to have a sense of familiarity within my profession.
My hopes are for the future of NASAP:
I would like to see NASAP grow in size and areas of diversity. Overall, I hope NASAP expands its presence and outreach to professionals and communities.
How I've participated in NASAP so far:
The past year, 2020 was the year that I came more involved with NASAP and other Adlerian organizations through memberships, committees, and task force participation. I've only attended three NASAP conferences, the first when I started my doctoral program, Canada in 2018 and Arizona in 2019. As a first-generation college graduate and nontraditional student, it was difficult for me to do much more beyond study and work while completing my degree, and afterward, the focus was on finding work, paying debt, and generating income. Years after graduating, I feel that I've arrived at a place where I can join in and give back.
How Do We Make Gemeinschaftsgefühl Attractive?
By Jared ‘Salvatore’ Alberico
In Adlerian Psychology (aka Individual Psychology), there are two things that are difficult to do. The first is: How the heck do you pronounce Gemeinschaftsgefühl? Even after being around Adlerian theory for the last several years, I still struggle with it. I must have heard it said a thousand times by now, but still struggle. I was so bad at pronouncing it in graduate school, I used to just say, “Give-me-that-fuel,” to avoid the embarrassment of mispronouncing.
The second is a series of thoughts: How does one explain what it is? What is ‘Gemeinschaftsgefühl’ really? Is it that important? What is the meaning of this word from the eyes of Alfred Adler and Adlerian theory?
From my experience in classrooms, conferences, and general engagement with peers in the field, most people just say it is a community feeling or social interest. But, is it really that simple to define or explain? Is it really that easy to comb over to focus more on superiority, inferiority, masculine protest, etc.? Again, is this concept really that important to overall psychological, social, spiritual, and/or physical health?
When I think about how vital this concept is to Adlerian Psychology, the field of psychology as a whole, and society at large, I’m reminded of a movie. Towards the end of Kingdom of Heaven (Scott, R., 2005) which stars Orlando Bloom, there is an exchange between two key characters that finally meet and settle the dispute in a climactic conclusion. [I encourage anyone to watch themselves to feel this moment in all its complexity].
The character Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom) represents the Christian side and Saladin (Ghassan Massoud) represents the Muslim side in a continuous battle and war for control of the city of Jerusalem during the crusades. The interaction goes as follows:
Balian of Ibelin: What is Jerusalem worth?
Saladin: Nothing. [Starts walking away]
Saladin: [stops, turns around, and emotionally adds] Everything!
This is how important Gemeinschaftsgefühl is. It is EVERYTHING! It is like breath to life. Without this, there is no need to explore or discuss anything else. Everything is meaningless without first having breath. What importance does food, water, sleep, or love provide if you did not first have breath? What did Adler say? “All problems are interpersonal relationship problems” (Persh, 2019). ALL problems are Gemeinschaftsgefühl. Forget everything else, and let’s go back to the basics - the roots and core of humanity. Let us refocus our direction as Adlerians and as Humans.
Now is not the time for Adlerian (the broader context of the theory and all its complexity). Now is the time for simplicity and a focus on the core element of the theory... Society calls and screams for hope and faith in the direction of the roots and basics of Gemeinschaftsgefühl. There is a time for everything, (as Ecclesiastes [King James Bible, 1769/2017] states, and the Byrds sang in Turn! Turn! Turn! (Seeger, 1959)). Right now is the time for Gemeinschaftsgefühl. It is the time for a deeper understanding and knowledge, a more creative exploration, a better movement and direction toward gemeinschaftsgefühl. Toward better living: we must embody this concept and hold it in our own hearts: this is EVERYTHING right now.
So, what is gemeinschaftsgefühl? Who can define or explain it? How do we make it attractive? In times as now, I look to a great man who spoke and lived a magical message - a man that lived and defined gemeinschaftsgefühl better and clearer than anyone who has lived. He was possibly the greatest Adlerian of our time (I’d argue with my every breath on this). He was possibly the greatest psychological mind and journey of our time. A man who many people forgot after his death; therefore, his message was somewhat stalled. I have studied this man and his message in the last two-plus years, as I have never explored him before. There is no greater exploration into gemeinschaftsgefühl as a broader lifestyle and concept than his decades of living, telling, and explaining its importance.
This man? Mister Rogers! Fred Rogers. From Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Mr. Rogers is the man who defined Gemeinschaftsgefühl in that Neighborhood concept. This is what I have been calling and coined the term “Neighborhood Psychology” for the last two years. I have been practicing and implementing this neighborhood psychology in my therapeutic style on a daily basis. I guess you could call it my ‘Psychologist Lifestyle.’ But, more than anything, it is becoming my human lifestyle.
Mister Rogers once said, “How do we make goodness attractive?” From his neighborhood concept, he was actually speaking of Gemeinschaftsgefuhl. So, what was his answer? “By doing whatever we can to bring courage to those whose lives move near our own. By treating our neighbor at least as well as we treat ourselves. And allowing that to inform EVERYTHING that we produce” (Parker, 2012).
Our Neighbor and our Neighborhood is our Gemeinschaftsgefuhl.
I hope to share more of my thoughts and messages with my fellow Adlerian Neighbors and the Adlerian Neighborhood over the course of several more submissions. This article is part one of our journey. I encourage you to take this trolly ride with me, as we creatively realize that Gemeinschaftsgefuhl is everything right now. As Adlerians, we are called to be servants to a society split and in pain, to help build bridges and hearts - not to divide, burn, or destroy them. We are called to be helpers, not harmful when the fog becomes thickest.
References
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)
Parker, J. (2012, April 9). Fred Rogers inducted into the TV Hall of Fame [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcNxY4TudXo&t=27s
Pasha, R. (2019, August 18). 40 Alfred ADLER quotes that will make you reflect. Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://succeedfeed.com/alfred-adler-quotes/
Scott, R. (Producer), & Scott, R. (Director). (2005). Kingdom of Heaven [Motion Picture]. United States: Twentieth Century Fox.
Seeger, P. (1959). Turn! Turn! Turn!.
Section & Committee Updates
Ethics Committee
We had our monthly meeting on February 8 and welcomed a few new members – we are now 6-strong and mighty!
I was able to interview both the current and past NASAP presidents to get a history of the committee as well as some general direction ideas, which I then submitted to the committee at the meeting.
We agreed that the role of the committee should be the following:
Formalizing the role of the committee
A go-to resource for Adlerian members with ethical issues:
we would create a repository of resources that we could direct members towards depending on the types of issues they might bring.Elevate the Ethics topic at NASAP by:
- Writing articles about various ethical topics
- Presenting at Adlerian conferences
A list of topics was brainstormed:
- The impact of internet/social media
- The impact of new communication methods (smartphones etc.)
- A.R.T and LGBTQIAA communities
- Suicide
- Physician-Assisted DeathDeal with ethical complaints presented to NASAP as they arise, and as relevant & appropriate.
We welcome ideas, comments or questions!
Committee Chair: Pascale Brady
TLC Section Transformative Leadership and Coaching
We have had three monthly meetings with the TLC group for coaches, aspiring coaches, and interested parties from around the world. We use an unrehearsed interview format and here is some of what we have learned thus far:
Successful coaches are confident, or they act ‘as if’ they are confident. This is not the arrogance about their expertise, but rather a healthy way to present themselves to the world with the message “I’d like to see if I can help out in this situation.”
They trust their frame of reference. There is a current self-help author who believes that all problems are problems of trust. Another told me last week that everything (everything!) is a marketing problem. Yet another confidently told me that the secret to life is, wait for it…social media! (Yes, I hang out with many interesting people!) For the coaches in the TLC section, they seem to ground themselves in the commonsense iron-clad logic of social living not as a pre-judgment, but rather as a tool, perhaps a lens to share with their clients about what progress can lay before them.
I’ve learned from those we have interviewed and from the audience too! Those who stick their neck out to tell their story, ask their questions, provide their feedback are as many leaders and coaches as any of the professionals we profile.
And I have learned that sessions such as these are opportunities to re-believe, to refresh, and to renew our understanding of life and others and how we can confidently, without judgment “see if we can help out” another who is in need.
We model our monthly meetings after Larry King the famous American interviewer who just passed last week. He advised, “I remind myself every morning: nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So, if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.”
We have a meeting on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 8 pm (Eastern) via Zoom
Excited to have a wonderful lineup of future guests for our monthly webinar series:
March 18 – Patrick Williams (MCC, BCC, co-founder ICF, Founder ILCT, Master Coach @Conscious Living Mastery)
April 15 – Kristian Orozco Figueroa (PCC, NLP, CPE, Transformational Leadership @ Fasola in Barcelona Spain)
May 20 – Lucas Aguirre (Adlerian Organizational Psychologist, MA @ Adler, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness)
We have a number of other prospects in the pipeline but always looking for referrals – if you know someone amazing in this space you’d like to recommend, please let us know!
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, February 18th!
Section Reps: Pascale Brady & Kevin O'Connor
From the Social Justice Task Force co-chair, Bengu Tekinalp, PhD
I am honored to be a part of the Social Justice Taskforce of NASAP. In the summer of 2020, every organization was making statements about racial and social justice in the US. Many did not move beyond words. However, consistent with Adlerian values, the NASAP Board of Directors listened to the members who said “enough with words, we need movement/ action”. As a result, the social justice task force was established and NASAP 2021 conference theme was selected as Social Justice: Community Healing through Movement. The Board gave the task force possible action ideas. Building on those a process has unfolded before us.
The task is important, the work is enormous and yet we are optimistic and energized. We have an amazing team. Our task force members meet on Zoom every other week for one to two hours. Our meetings are somewhat magical; "doing" is not prioritized over "being". We discuss, brainstorm, make lists, generate ideas, and divide tasks...we do. And we share, connect, support, feel supported and experience a sense of belonging. We aim to embody the social justice values and work with the way we operate in our meetings. The world feels more OK and less lonely for a while. As you can guess, taskforce meetings are energizing, encouraging, and life-giving.
In our approach to social justice work, we are using an inside-out approach. We start with the inner work of self-exploration. We explore the interconnections of our identities, privileges, and social immunities. We are open to investigating the vulnerable spots and we are open to learning. This inner work is carried out to the circle of the task force. In our meetings, we are doing the imperfect, messy work of exploring, sharing, teaching, learning, and reflecting. Then the circle will be enlarged to the circle of the NASAP community. The inner work of social justice goes hand in hand with the outer work. Adlerians are guided by gemeinschaftsgefühl, thus we know that we as Adlerians have so much to offer to the work of social justice. As the task force engages in the work, you will continue to see us and hear from us. Be on the lookout for some more communication from us.
Read the rest of the letter HERE.