By Natalie Carlton, LPC, LCDC
Since I was a young woman of sixteen, I believed that life would be better for everyone if society focused on family values by honoring and cherishing individual strengths. This belief is what led me to become a counselor—to provide support for others as they grow as individuals, learn tools to enrich their lives, and build meaningful connections grounded in encouragement and care.
Values such as honesty, kindness, loyalty, respect, and integrity strengthen family bonds and influence how we create rules, interact with others, and navigate life’s challenges. Adlerian therapy has given me a framework to rely on when a client presents challenges that seem to contradict these values.
Adlerian theory is based on the idea that everyone wants to feel connected, valued, and that they belong. It looks at how our early experiences and family relationships shape the way we view ourselves and interact with others. This approach focuses on encouragement and helping people recognize their strengths so they can make positive changes and live more meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Sitting across from a client who shares their experiences of turmoil, chaos, and family dysfunction can be difficult, but it is never impossible. By focusing on a client’s strengths and their positive connections, I can help set the stage for meaningful change and a happier, healthier life. Sometimes, all a client needs to hear is that they are important and that they matter—because they do matter, to me.
Individual Adlerian therapy fosters a positive therapeutic relationship that supports the process of change. I am passionate about taking time to develop individualized treatment plans that model healthy behaviors, with the hope that these behaviors will inspire growth and positive change within the family unit. Adlerian therapy can truly serve as a key to unlocking authentic, client-centered, and multicultural psychotherapy.
