Social Interest, Not Social Status: Adlerian Lessons from Mean Girls

This workshop uses the dynamics of Mean Girls to examine Adlerian concepts such as mistaken beliefs and significance-seeking, revealing how the pursuit of status often conceals a deeper need for belonging, while guiding participants to help clients transition from social survival to genuine connection within a community.

Description

This workshop dives into the iconic Mean Girls dynamics to explore how Adlerian ideas of mistaken beliefs, significance-seeking, and social interest show up in modern relational drama. From Regina George’s control strategies to Cady Heron’s transformation, we’ll uncover how striving for status often masks a deeper desire for belonging. Through an Adlerian lens, we’ll guide participants in recognizing the difference between attention and connection—and how to help clients move from social survival mode to authentic community.

4 Hours Only NBCC CE

League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists (LEAPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7402. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists (LEAPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

 

Agenda

9:00 am - Start

10:00 am - Break (15 minutes)

1:15 pm - End

Objectives

  • Identify Adlerian concepts like social interest, mistaken goals, and striving for significance in client dynamics.
  • Evaluate how early relational experiences shape adult beliefs and behaviors around connection, power, and status.
  • Demonstrate strategies to help clients break free from toxic relational cycles using Adlerian tools like encouragement and belonging.
  • Develop practical, creative interventions that promote authentic relationships and mutual respect in therapy and daily life.