Two distinct approaches to human suffering mark the history of psychology—those of Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. Both men began as colleagues in the early psychoanalytic movement, yet their philosophies diverged sharply, and their legacies continue to shape our understanding of healing today.
Freud: Endless Analysis and Dependence.
Sigmund Freud is often referred to as the father of psychoanalysis. His theories revolved around the unconscious mind, repressed childhood memories, and the belief that unresolved conflicts—usually rooted in sexuality and aggression—drive much of our behavior. Freud’s method of therapy required years of analyzing dreams, childhood events, and unconscious desires. In practice, this created a model of treatment that could feel endless.
Patients were encouraged to revisit their past again and again, with the promise of eventual insight, yet often without resolution. Freud himself once wrote, “Psychoanalysis aims to strengthen the ego, to make it more independent of the superego, to widen its field of vision”—yet his process often kept people dependent on therapy itself. Over time, Freud’s ideas were co-opted into a medicalized narrative: people were seen as sick, defective, and in need of constant treatment, whether through unending therapy or, later, psychiatric medication. In this model, healing was something always just out of reach.
Adler: Healing, Wholeness, and Moving Forward
Alfred Adler, once part of Freud’s inner circle, broke away because he believed in something radically different: the inherent strength and purpose within each human being. Where Freud saw people trapped by their past, Adler saw individuals striving for growth, belonging, and a sense of meaning. He emphasized the importance of social connection, responsibility, and the idea that people are not merely a bundle of unconscious drives, but rather souls with the capacity to heal.
Adler’s approach is summed up in his conviction that “The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.” He believed therapy should not be about endlessly excavating the past, but about recognizing unhealthy patterns, breaking them, and learning healthier ways to move forward. His Individual Psychology emphasized courage, encouragement, and practical strategies for personal growth and change.
My Approach: Coaching Parents to Break Cycles
This is where I find alignment with Adler’s vision, and how I shape my own work. I am not a therapist—I don’t diagnose, treat, or keep people in an endless cycle of revisiting their wounds. I am a parent coach and guide, working alongside parents and caregivers who want to build a healthier foundation for their children.
To break generational cycles, it’s essential to look back at where we came from—the way we were raised, the messages we received about parenting, and the models we observed of the parent-child relationship. But we cannot live looking backward.
It’s much like driving a car: the rear-view mirror is small for a reason. It’s there to help you see what’s behind you, but you are not meant to keep your eyes fixed on it. If you did, you’d crash. The windshield, on the other hand, is wide and clear—because where you are going matters more than where you have been. My role as a coach is to help families glance back just long enough to recognize harmful patterns, and then turn their eyes forward—toward a bigger, brighter view of where they can go.
Conclusion
Where Freud’s legacy often kept people dependent on endless therapy, Adler’s vision pointed toward growth, empowerment, and practical change. That same forward-focused approach defines my work. I’m not here to keep you in your past—I’m here to help you see it, learn from it, and then move confidently toward the future, building strong, connected, and respectful relationships with your children.
Jennifer Schaeffer – Hope & Deliver Doula Services
Click here to visit her web page!
Leave a Reply