Narrative Theory Flashcards
What is postmodernism?
Reality is what individuals make it to be.
Who are the two founders of narrative therapy?
Michael White and David Epston
What is the goal of narrative therapy?
To draw out the stories clients have told about themselves that keep them from moving on. To reshape client’s perceptions of themselves and their surroundings by changing their narratives.
What is the position of the therapist in narrative therapy?
NOT KNOWING, mainly. You are not the expert.
Also curious, collaborative, de-centered, and wondering. (Remember the “I find myself wondering if….” questions.)
What is an externalizing conversation?
The person is not the problem. The problem is the problem. Separate, name name the problem.
Remember the Tale of Sneaky-Poo?
What are problem-saturated stories?
The personal stories that are based on clients’ experiences. They are characterized by problems; they only think of themselves in terms of the problem.
How do you map the problem’s domain?
Discuss how the problem has affected various aspects of the client’s life. A full, detailed account.
What are unique outcomes?
Times in the past when the problem did not exist, did not occur. Help the clients create new personal stories based on these unique occurrences. Remind them there were times when they could overcome the problem.
What is spreading the news?
The client expresses their new personal narrative with other people. It gives them a change to recognize the changes they’ve made.
Why is narrative therapy useful when dealing with trauma and addictions?
It separates the individual from the disease.
