Past, Present, and Future Movement in Early Recollection Work

ABSTRACT: This article offers a view of working with early recollections (ERs) in therapy while incorporating encouragement, reconstruction, and movement between the past, present, and future. Adler saw ERs as stories representing individuals’ “life stories,” meaning their lifestyles (personalities). As metaphoric narratives, ERs also reflect current experiences and emotions. Working with ERs in therapy provides the therapist and client with opportunities for encouragement, growth, and awareness. Engaging with ERs invites varied, creative paths for development and insight. They may be used as an ongoing and interactive tool for assessment and therapeutic interventions. This article presents a process of moving from the past to the present and back to the past by reconstructing an ER. Using the client’s wisdom from the present in the reconstruction opens a significant window to future change and allows the client to expand their perceptions.