Postmodern Approaches

What exactly is Postmodern Approaches?  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.423) "In social constructionist theory the therapist-as-expert is replaced by the client-as-expert." There are two types of therapies: solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy. With postmodern approaches the therapy sessions are short-termed with a limited amount of therapy sessions which are future-focused and goal oriented.  Basically with postmodern approach clients choose the goals they wish to accomplish in their therapy sessions, little attention is given to diagnosis, history of the past issues or the exact cause of the problem. 
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Key Figures:  Insoo Kim Berg, Steve de Shazer, Michael White, & David Epston are just a few of the key figures.  The postmodern approaches do not have a single founder.  Rather, it has been a collective effort by many (Corey, 2012, p. 396).




Insoo Kim Berg (1935-2007)  co-developer of the solution-focused approach.

Steve de Shazer (1940-2005) an early developer of solution-focused brief therapy.

Michael White (1949-2008) co-founder of narrative therapy.

David Epston (1944 -) is a co-founder of narrative therapy.


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Key Concepts:  Working with two types of therapies can make a impact of the clients future.
With solution-focused brief therapy, therapists focus on what is possible, and they have little or no interest in gaining an understanding of how the problem emerged (Corey, 2012, p. 400).  The main goal is to change the clients behavior for the better. The solution-focused brief therapy was developed by Insoo  Kim Berg & Steve de Shazer.  With the narrative therapy approach, therapists are encouraged to listen to clients' stories with an open mind and not label the clients'.
 Both solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy are based on the optimistic assumption that people are healthy, competent, resourceful, and posses the ability to construct solutions and alternative stories that can enhance their lives (Corey, 2012, p. 424).  The narrative therapy approach was developed by Michael White & David Epston. "Therapy is, in part, a reestablishment of personal agency from the oppression of external problems and the dominant stories of larger systems" (Corey, 2012, p. 410).



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Goals of Theory:   With the solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy approach the clients specific needs are unique just as each individual client is.  Typically the therapy sessions may be a set limited amount say 6 to 8 meeting sessions. The solution-focused therapist believes people have the ability to define meaningful personal goals and that they have the resources required to solve their problems (Corey, 2012, p. 403).  Solution-focused brief therapy focus on the clients here and now issues, clients choose the type of goals they wish to accomplish without rehashing past information of their lives.  Narrative therapy also engages the clients in the therapy sessions helping them work toward their goals.  A general goal of narrative therapy is to invite people to describe their experience in new and fresh language.  In doing this, they open up new vistas of what is possible (Corey, 2012, p. 412).  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 424). "Practitioners with solution-focused or narrative orientations tend to engage clients in conversations that lead to progressive narratives that help clients make steady gains toward their goals."


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Techniques:   Some of the key techniques that solution-focused practitioners are likely to employ include looking for differences in doing, exception questions, scaling questions, and the miracle questions (Corey, 2012, p. 406).  These techniques must be set into motion by the therapist to instill proper goals will be attained by the client's.  With the narrative therapy approach the end result will be based on how well information is gathered and generated from the client.  A narrative approach to counseling is more than the application of skills; it is based on the therapist's personal characteristics that create a climate that encourages clients to see their stories from different perspectives (Corey, 2012, p.414).  Having the clients retell their stories, break the stories up, and help get a sense of direction ultimately their goals are met and new solutions are gained from the therapy sessions.

Suggested link:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBZlgmebwY

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

             CA:  Brooks/Cole.

PsychotherapyNet. (2009, April). Solution-Focused Couples Therapy Insoo Kim Berg Video Clip. 

              Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBZlgmebwY