Narrative Therapy

Question 1

Social Constructionism

Answer 1

Gergen asserts that realities we construct are anchored in language systems and social contexts in which we exist

Question 2

4 Basic Assumptions

Answer 2

1. People do not need or want problems. People have good intentions.
2. People are profoundly influenced by discourses around them. (conversations, culture etc.)
3. People are not their problems
4. People can develop alternative, empowering stories once separated from their problems and from internalized cultural myths.

Question 3

How Symptoms Develop

Answer 3

• problems arise due to narrow and self-defeating view of self. (Problem-saturated story).
• problem is not inherent in the client; therefore, there is no functionalist element.
• Narrative therapist is not interested in cause of the problem but in how the problem negatively impacts the client’s life.
• narrative therapist have no constructs for what is normal or abnormal.

Question 4

Goals of Narrative Therapy

Answer 4

• are defined by client
• to access client’s healing initiatives to resolve presenting problem through
• -learning about the storied nature of human experience.
• -learning to value own personal life experiences and stories without automatically deferring to normative stories.
• -learning the externalization process to address future problem saturated stories.

Question 5

The role of the therapist

Answer 5

=directive due clear and consistent agenda

and collaborative.

Question 6

3 Stages of Practice

Answer 6

1. Recast problem as an affliction by focusing on effects not causes of problem.
   - -problems are personified and seen as entities that feed on polarizations and misunderstandings
   - map influence pf problem on client
   - map influence of client on problem.
2. Find unique outsomes/sparkling events when client has triumphed over the affliction.
   - -Find tiny spark of resistance to the problem that shows change is possible.
3. Recruitment of support
   - -client’s efforts at reauthoring shown by evidence of competence over the problem.
   - -Reinforcement of new story by finding audience to support progress.

Question 7

Interventions

Answer 7

=set of questions about relative influence to augment externalization:

• -Deconstruction Questions
• -Opening Space Questions
• -Preference Questions
• -Story Development Questions
• -Meaning Questions
• -Questions to extend story into future.