In Adlerian therapy, what is the main goal?

• A. To analyze dreams
• B. To focus on childhood experiences
• C. To confront basic mistakes and redirect them
• D. To modify cognitive distortions

Answer: (C)

Adlerian therapy centers on helping clients move away from self-defeating beliefs and goals that steer their behavior, by identifying and correcting what Adler called “basic mistakes.” These basic mistakes are warpedscripts of thinking—generalized, falsely valued, or self-centered aims—that shape a person’s lifestyle and keep them stuck. The therapist’s role is to bring these mistaken goals to light and redirect the person toward more purposeful, socially constructive aims that foster belonging and contribution to the community. This focus on uncovering and correcting these underlying beliefs is why this option is the best match.

Dream analysis belongs to approaches emphasizing early psychodynamic material, while a primary emphasis on childhood experiences and developmental origins is more characteristic of traditional psychodynamic theories. Modifying cognitive distortions, though important in cognitive-behavioral therapy, is not Adlerian's central aim.