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Narrative therapy techniques and benefits
Narrative therapy techniques and benefits
Narrative therapy techniques and benefits
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Narrative Therapy was developed by David Epston, with collaboration with Michael White, during the 1980s. Narrative therapy was birthed from a social constructionism perspective (Ponterotto & Casas, 2001). In other words, the focus of therapy was no longer on the problem, but rather the solution. Narrative therapy views the individual, system, and the system’s individuals through “constructed narratives” and focuses on redeveloping narratives that do not serve the client or system in a positive manner (Ponterotto & Casas, 2001). Social constructionism interprets reality through a subjective lens (Semmler & Williams, 2000). In other words, social constructionists believes that reality is what the client interprets it to be. Through this lens, it places control with the client and the client can guide ways that their reality is transformed. Narrative therapy is based on the underlying concepts of narrative theory. Narrative theory aims to provide framework for counselors to assess, treating, and create a counseling practice that is culturally sensitive. Narrative …show more content…
Narrative therapy techniques require therapists to acknowledge implicit biases that could have an effect on the therapist and their client (McLeod, 1997; White & Epston, 1990) In other words, culture places different influences that are internalized by the individual; therefore, effects the way that clients perceive themselves within their story. Through exploring these cultural influences, like racism, sexism, ageism, etc., the therapist and client can develop ways to be resilient against these social forces (Semmler & Williams, 2000). To address problem narratives within a cultural context, narrative therapy deconstructs the dominant culture, externalizes the story, reauthors the story, and provides context for the new
It is pertinent to study the history of racial oppression when preparing to counsel a client from an ethnic minority if the counselor is from the majority culture. The problem is it would be difficult to examine the complete history and would be highly impossible especially in a short time. However, a therapist can gain knowledge of some of the essentials of history such as, religion, family structure, and background information. If the therapist or counselor is uncomfortable counseling these individuals he/or she can refer the client to someone who has more knowledge or has the same cultural background as the client. For instance, a therapist must become aware of the sociopolitical dynamics that form not only their clients’ views, but their own as well. Racial and cultural dynamics may interfere into the helping process and cause misdiagnosis, confusion, pain and reinforcement of biases and prejudices towards their client.
Race and ethnicity can influence a client’s experience of self and others in a variety of ways. A client’s personal race and ethnicity can influence his or her experience within the context of therapy through the set of beliefs he or she brings into the room. This set of beliefs and customs influences how he or she views therapy and whether there is motivation to be there. If the client’s culture does not usually seek therapy for their problems, or even believe in mental illness, it is likely the client will have apprehensions about trusting or speaking to the clinician. If the clinician is not aware of this possibility, the clinician may wonder why the client is in therapy if he or she will not speak or allow rapport to be built. A responsible clinician will take this into consideration.
The theory that I chose to analyze in this paper is the constructivist approach with a dual use of both the Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Narrative Therapy. In my worldview change happens when an individual is motivated to persist and accomplish their goals. In my own personal philosophy, I am optimistic that every student is capable of discovering a solution that best fits in solving their problem and that everything we do in life is interconnected to helping us accomplish our ideal goals. I plan to work with first generation college students after completing the Educational Counseling program at USC and see the Constructivist approach to best accommodate the needs of first generation college student population. I see every
Narrative theory is underpinned by ideas of postmodernism, which makes an assumption that truth is subjective and embedded in stories or experiences of individuals (Connolly & Harms, 2013). Therefore, social workers who incorporate this theory wants to understand the ‘truths’ or ‘problems’ that people have constructed about themselves, depending on the context of their own experiences (Payne, 2006). Constructing stories about themselves and their experiences are part of meaning-making process. Each person’s experience of depression is personal and unique to them (dep. org). Witnessing and listening to people’s stories and validating their experiences such as impact of oppression and grief is important for recovery and to reclaim their lives
Stories are created over time through our attempts to connect events in our experiences and derive meaning from them (Morgan, 2000). Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Narrative methodologies assume that individuals have a various set of skills, capabilities, beliefs, values, and commitments that will assist them in reducing the influence of troubles in their lives. During the practice of narrative therapy the client is encouraged to deconstruct and critically appraise their story in search for new meanings (White & Epston, 1990). White (2000) believed that if one can change the way they describe their lives and the events within, there will be a change for the better.
The core concept of narrative therapy is rooted in postmodern theory. This includes having a positive and hopeful view of clients and their power to create change. Also, taking a “not-knowing” stance is essential in order to enhance collaboration between clients and therapist. Narrative Therapy encourages therapists to remain curious and acknowledge
When advocating for the success of a client when utilizing this theory, a counselor must be prepared to identify and eliminate barriers, prejudices, oppression, and discrimination that may create a psychological obstruction in the client. Learning culturally-competent counseling practices and current theoretical approaches while practicing self-reflection will help the counselor acquire the skills necessary to engage with a diverse clientele. Strategies such as; identifying cultural differences, understanding and addressing issues in the counseling process, the counselor’s ability to understand self, and ongoing education are all important strategies in combating oppression and eliminating barriers.
Narrative reasoning focuses on the client’s particular circumstances and takes into account the client’s past, present, and future and how their current circumstances will affect their life. This gives the practitioner ideas on how to collaborate with the client and family based on the individual’s journey. It is important for the occupational therapy practitioner to help the client see how the treatment
The idea in constructivist therapy is to reconstruct how the client views their life. Through therapy individuals work towards developing new routines, strengthening relationships, and adopt a new way of looking at themselves. Furthermore, working through trauma has been successful with constructivist therapy. For trauma patients the sense of creating their own identity may help them move forward and better understand their views on the situation.
Cook-Cotton, C. (2004). Using Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development to Understand the Construction of Healing Narratives. Journal of College Counseling, 7(2), p.177-186. Retrieved from PsycINFOdatabase.
Multicultural and cognitive-behavioral approaches both place importance on tailoring the therapy to the particular situation (Hays,1995). The counselor recommended therapy with his wife, but he continued to focus on therapy with Louis. He believed that they should go to another therapist because he already started to build a rapport with Louis. He understood
Postmodernism states that our identities are shaped by words that define the issues at hand and whether they are or aren’t actual issues. Social constructionism is reality to one, that is formed by social bonds and relative importance gained through social networking. Postmodernists see all as constructed (Gehart, 2014). Social constructionism enhances “how truth is generated at the local relational level” (Gehart, 2014, p.53). The individual is viewed in relation to the system, which has an influence on the client’s experience and reality. “Social constructionism and succeeding systemic therapists ration familiar significance on mortal dealings and Mannering of conducting oneself when conversing. Therapist should give guidance to a client to provoke the impartial core of traditional knowledge. Social constructionism is based on the idea that reality and meaning are developed through language and relationships. The individual is viewed in relation to the system, which has an influence on the client’s experience and reality” (Sealy
Roscoe, K, and Madoc-Jones, I (2009) ‘Critical Social Work Practice: A Narrative Approach.’ IJNP, Vol (1). p12.
Narrative Therapy was developed to help people separate themselves from their problems. The idea is that this will help the person use the skills that they already possess to minimize the problems that exist in their everyday lives. The Narrative Therapy approach was developed by Social Workers Michael White (Australia) and David Epston (New Zealand) during the 1970s-1980s. “White proclaimed is work to be exclusively that of ‘rich story development’ “(Gallant).
Firstly, beliefs and attitudes infer the counselor’s ability to move beyond cultural unawareness for safeguarding that their personal biases, values or problems will not affect their ability to work with culturally diverse clients (Corey, 2013). In the same way, culturally skilled counselors are cognizant of the fact that “cultural self-awareness and sensitivity to one’s own cultural heritage” plays an integral role in the helping process (Corey, 2013, p.