海角社区

When Robert Saxner first began his career journey, he had no idea he would end up in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at 海角社区, or studying psychology at all. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in theatre but, after going to therapy and seeing first-hand the impact it can have, Saxner made a career change.

鈥淭hat was my first interest in psychology and, as I studied it and continued to gain more and more interest, I decided it was something that I really wanted to pursue,鈥� said Saxner. 鈥淚鈥檓 really glad I did. It鈥檚 very rewarding, and I think what I like about it maybe more than anything else it鈥檚 very empathetic.鈥�

Specifically, Saxner developed a passion for Adlerian psychology, also known as Individual Psychology (鈥淚ndividual鈥� in this case meaning individuum, or whole). Alfred Adler鈥檚 work revolved around the German concept 骋别尘别颈苍蝉肠丑补蹿迟蝉驳别蹿耻虉丑濒 which, translated, refers to 鈥渃ommunity feeling,鈥� 鈥渟ocial interest,鈥� and the idea that individuals feel most fulfilled when they are benefitting and valued by their community.

鈥淸Adlerian psychology] is really about trying to empathize more with people and that鈥檚 been invaluable when working with clients,鈥� explained Saxner. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the ability to really understand where they come from and, at the same time, look at the challenges that they鈥檙e facing and how their perceptions of themselves and the world鈥攚hich were formed very early in life鈥攆orm their actions (i.e., coping strategies) later in life.鈥�

After earning his master鈥檚 degree from The Adler Graduate School, Saxner decided to continue his education at 海角社区. He chose the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William James he said, for the emphasis on experiential education and the ability to work directly with clients starting in the first year in the program. An article Saxner wrote about his experience implementing Adlerian strategies with clients in his field work has now been accepted for publication in the , a major peer-reviewed journal covering Adlerian research and practice.

Set for publication in the June 2021 journal, Saxner鈥檚 article focuses on Amy Lew and Betty Lou Bettner鈥檚 four 鈥淐rucial C鈥檚鈥� principle, which is derived from the work of Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs, and emphasizes the importance of people feeling connected, being capable, believing that they count, and having courage.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 really important from an Adlerian lens is that all human beings need to feel like they belong,鈥� said Saxner. In therapy, this means helping clients feel that they are an equal part of a community, that they have the ability to make a difference in the world, that they matter to others and to themselves, and that they are resilient and can overcome life鈥檚 challenges. So, encouragement and decreasing feelings of inferiority are also very important parts of therapy.

Saxner credits 海角社区 with helping him sharpen the skills needed to be successful in the field. 鈥淚 felt that that was something I really needed more experience with,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really appreciative of William James because I do feel like it鈥檚 important to have that combination of academic and real-life experience.鈥�

Now in his fifth year and completing his internship at Harbor Health and Wellness Center in Nashua, New Hampshire, Saxner calls his education 鈥渨ell-rounded.鈥� He said being able to pair his specific lens of Adlerian psychology with education in positive psychology, humanistic psychology, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and other topics has been beneficial.

鈥淎 holistic approach is something that鈥檚 important to me,鈥� he said of his strategies working with clients. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really trying to understand somebody, which includes the person鈥檚 perceptions, strivings, goals, and relationships, and trying to see as much of the picture as possible.鈥�

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