“Every therapeutic cure, and still more, any awkward attempt to show the patient the truth, tears him from the cradle of his freedom from responsibility and must therefore reckon with the most vehement resistance.”
- February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937
- Austrian
- Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Founder of Individual Psychology
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Quote
“Every therapeutic cure, and still more, any awkward attempt to show the patient the truth, tears him from the cradle of his freedom from responsibility and must therefore reckon with the most vehement resistance.”
Explanation
This quote reveals Alfred Adler’s deep understanding of the psychological resistance that often arises during therapy, especially when the therapeutic process begins to uncover truths that challenge a patient’s sense of identity and responsibility. Adler argues that many patients unconsciously cling to their symptoms because these symptoms allow them to avoid accountability for their lives. Therapy, by confronting these patterns, threatens that illusion of helplessness or innocence, provoking emotional and defensive reactions.
Adler’s theory of individual psychology emphasized that every behavior is purposeful, often aimed at protecting a fragile self-concept or evading difficult life tasks. When therapy starts to expose these defensive goals, it feels like a loss of safety, akin to being torn from a “cradle.” The patient may respond with anger, denial, or disengagement, not because they reject healing, but because they fear the burden of self-determination and change. This resistance is a natural part of the therapeutic process and must be handled with skill and empathy.
In contemporary clinical practice, this quote remains highly relevant. Therapists often encounter resistance when challenging avoidance patterns, such as procrastination, victimhood, or blame-shifting. If these defenses are addressed too bluntly—what Adler calls an “awkward attempt”—the patient may feel attacked and retreat further. Thus, effective therapy requires not just insight, but timing, tact, and a deep respect for the patient’s inner world, guiding them gently toward self-responsibility and growth.
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