Some of the core concepts of this theory are:

• Behavior is goal directed.
• People are social beings, so to understand behavior think about the effect of the behavior on others; especially important is the parent-child relationship.
• People behave according to their own subjective view of reality, so to understand others, including children, you have to put yourself in their shoes.
• Mutual respect between people is a cornerstone of life in a democracy. This includes men and women, races, ethnic groups, and between parents and children.
• People are holistic—more than the sum of their parts. Even so, there is an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral approaches to change.
• Although both nature and nurture (genes and environment) both play a role in shaping human behavior, the larger emphasis is on personal choice and responsibility.
• Finally, Adlerian Psychology is a psychology of use, not possession. In other words, it is less important what you have than with what you DO with what you have.

Parenting skills that derive from these concepts and that are taught in Active Parenting are described as an "authoritative approach" (as opposed to autocratic and permissive) and include such methods as natural and logical consequences, recognizing the goals of behavior, family meetings and problem solving skills, the importance of encouragement and much more.

Dr. Popkin has extended the Adlerian model with the creation of such tools as the "think-feel-do" cycle, the positive and negative approaches to the four goals of behavior, the FLAC method of discipline, the importance of relationship building through "family enrichment activities, and the self-esteem spiral.

In addition, Active Parenting includes communication theory evolving from the work of Carl Rogers, Robert Carkuff and others that are used to teach active listening, empathy for others, feeling recognition and problem-solving. These skills are taught under the title "Active Communication" and are the perfect compliment to the cognitive-behavioral model of Adlerian psychology.

For more information about Adlerian Psychology, check the web page of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP).