Postmodernism & Narrative Family Therapy

Question 1

Who developed narrative therapy?

Answer 1

Michael White and David Epston in Australia and New Zealand

Question 2

What are some main concepts of narrative therapy?

Answer 2

• Based on the premise that we “story” and create meaning of life events using available dominant discourses
• People experience “problems” when personal life does not fit with these dominant societal discourses and expectations
• Process involves separating the person from the problem
• Clients identify alternative ways to view, act, and interact in daily life

Question 3

What are some main concepts of postmodernism?

Answer 3

• Questions the existence of a singular, universal truth to explain human beings and the systems in which they live
• Believes in MULTIPLE SUBJECTIVE REALITIES that cannot exist independently of the observer
• Reality is based on the use of LANGUAGE
• Truth and reality are bound by history and context

Question 4

What are some interventions for narrative therapy?

Answer 4

• externalizing conversations
• Mapping influence of problem and person
• Problem deconstruction
• Mapping landscapes of action and identity consciousness
• Situating comments, re-membering conversations, leagues, definitional ceremony, letters and certificates

Question 5

Describe “avoiding totalizing and dualistic thinking”

Answer 5

• Descriptions of the problem being all bad
• Such descriptions promote dualistic, either/or thinking
• Can be invalidating to client and obscure problem’s broader context

Question 6

What are externalizing questions?

Answer 6

• Transform adjectives to nouns (e.g., depressed —> depression)
• “When did you first notice depression influencing your life?”
• Presume the person is separate from the problem

Question 7

What are the purpose of scaffolding conversations?

Answer 7

Used to move clients from that which is familiar to that which is novel

Question 8

What are permission questions? What is the purpose of permission questions?

Answer 8

• Questions therapists use to ask permission to ask a question
• Used to emphasize democratic nature of therapeutic relationship and encourage clients to maintain a clear, strong sense of agency

Question 9

Are there multicultural concerns for narrative therapy?

Answer 9

• No
• Integrates consideration of cultural issues at the most fundamental level of their method
• Has international roots and is practiced in numerous countries around the world