These feelings might result from any negative effects

mistaken goals and faulty assumptions associated with feelings of inferiority.
These feelings might result from any negative effects of birth order, negative
family environment or lack of social interaction and correction of the faulty
lifestyle, goals, and assumptions.
Ultimately, the counsellor will help the client foster social interest and start
contributing to society, overcome feelings of inferiority and acquire a sense of
equality with others, modify clientsÊ views and goals, and change clientsÊ faulty
motivation. The clientsÊ lifestyles encourage them to be brave enough so that
they are able to explore, identify or confront any fears, perceptions or issues that
have been burdening them. In a condition full of positive regard and empathy,
clients become increasingly willing to change and grow. As they become more
fully functioning, they will have greater self acceptance. In conclusion, clients are
ultimately responsible for their own lives.
The role of the counsellor is to diagnose, teach, and model the desired
behaviours. The main task of the counsellor is to assess his clientsÊ level of
functioning by gathering information on their family constellation, including
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TOPIC 2 COUNSELLING THEORIES I 
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birth order, their parents, siblings and others living at home. ClientsÊ early life
experiences are also explored. The counsellor then interprets his clientsÊ
situations, putting assumptions on the problem areas that need to be worked out.
2.4.3 Counselling Techniques
Adlerian counselling follows FOUR phases of therapy:
(a) Establishing a Relationship
The counsellor establishes an equal partnership with the client in terms of
equal respect, rights and responsibilities. The counsellor accepts the client
without any conditions and encourages the person to identify his or her
strengths and abilities. Focus is on the fact that the client can make a change
if he or she wishes to. The client must feel safe, especially if he or she is to
reveal his or her inner thoughts. The counsellor should be serious with the
client and not „play games‰.
(b) Gathering Information
The counsellor gathers information about the client by observing the way
he or she enters the room, sits, speaks and behaves during the counselling
sessions. The counsellor will analyse the clientÊs lifestyle by examining
his/her birth order and family environment, as well as early memories
especially during the first few years of life. Early recollections are used
as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the clientÊs present attitudes and current
lifestyle. The counsellor asks directly why the client has come and much
can be learned by what he or she tells and does not tell. The counsellor will
ask about the clientÊs place of work, family, friends and relationship with
siblings. For example, is the client the eldest who was often bullied by his
younger brother?