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Narrative techniques and other therapy
Narrative techniques and other therapy
Narrative techniques and other therapy
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Theory and Practice
After reviewing the case of Susanna, two theories of practice have been deemed applicable for her therapy: self-psychology and narrative theory. First, self-psychology conceptualizes the idea that the sense of self is dependent upon the empathy of a significant individual, labeled as a self-object. This theory is utilized in clients with emotional injury related to traumatic life events, specifically related to self-object failure. Self-objects are primarily parental figures during childhood. According to Power (2015), Susanna idealized her mother referring to her as “the most beautiful and exciting person she had ever known”, solidifying her mother as a self-object (p. 18).
Self-psychology emphasizes three relationships:
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These practice theories both seek to establish stability, relating to past life events in order to achieve a sense of self in order to build on psychological growth in new experiences. The therapist’s role in both of the theories mentioned requires a great deal of active listening in order to establish the rapport that is essential for these therapies to be effective. However, these practice theories differ. Self-psychology enlists coping mechanisms related to a self-object, while narrative theory aids the client in establishing coping skills within themselves, without recognition from another individual. Self-psychology may be more applicable in the case of Susanna, due to the implied lack of self-objects during her childhood. However, narrative theory may not be overlooked, as this may provide Susanna with the means for establishing self-acceptance not only in past events, but also in moving …show more content…
It is a clinician administered assessment. The data obtained from the interview is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. According to Linehan, et al. (2006), the SASII is both reliable and valid. There is no reference whether training is required in the use of this assessment tool. Scoring is normally done by computer. The assessment instrument is readily available but requires the use of a statistics software program such as SPSS for scoring analysis which would incur an associated cost (“Suicide Attempt”, 2006). The SPSS code is available for results
Susanna’s actions prove that she is continually working towards recovering. Jim Watson visits Susanna, asking her to run away with him, however, Susanna denies his proposal and stays at the institution: “For ten seconds I imagined this other life...the whole thing...was hazy. The vinyl chairs, the security screens, the buzzing of the nursing-station door: Those things were clear. ‘I’m here now, Jim,’ I said. ‘I think I’ve got to stay here’” (Kaysen 27). Susanna wants to stay at McLean until she is ready to leave; her choice supports what Buddha said, “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting” (Buddha). Susanna finds reassurance from McClean as she undergoes her journey. Susanna sees the young nurses at the ward who remind her of the life she could be living: “They shared apartments and had boyfriends and talked about clothes. We wanted to protect them so that they could go on living these lives. They were our proxies” (Kaysen 91). Susanna chooses to take these reminders as a positive motivating force along her journey. However, Susanna is also surrounded by patients who have different, more severe psychoses. These girls do not hinder Susanna’s progression, but instead emphasize her
Joyce Dorado. "Who Are We, But For The Stories We Tell: Family Stories And Healing." Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, And Policy 2.3 (2010): 243-249. PsycARTICLES. Web.
From a psychoanalytical point of view, human behavior is thought to result from the interaction of three major subsystems within the personality: the id, ego, and super ego
The client stated that she came to therapy because she has been feeling really lonely and feeling as though that she is not enough since the death of her father. After the death of her father, her mother did not pay her any attention; she understood that her mother was grieving, especially when her grandfather passed a year later. I stated that the frequent death that surrounded her mother, seem to have caused her mother to distance herself from her. She responded “yes, and it even gotten worse when my mom started to date and eventually marry my stepfather”. She mentioned that once her little sister was born, she became jealous and envious. I emphasized with her by stating that she must have felt as though her little sister was going to take the attention that she sought from her mother. After confirming that her mother paid more attention to her sister and stepfather, she mentioned that during this time she began to cut herself in places that no one would notice. The pain did not take the feeling away, but she wanted to know that if she could still feel pain after the thought of losing everything. However, the only person who paid her any attention during this time, was her grandmother. Her grandmother showed her the love that her mother nor “father figure” never showed her. I stated, “the love that your grandmother showed was not the love you were
Living in a mental hospital for almost two years, Susanna Kaysen wonders why she is there and if she belongs there. Without getting any true answers from her doctors, she struggles to accept her disorder and working to get rid of it. The movie, Girl Interrupted is full of psychological principles I’ve learned throughout the year, which play a role in how Susanna grows as a character. Besides the fact that Susanna has a Borderline Personality Disorder, she is a victim of conformity and self-fulfilling prophecies. These principles are what determine if Susanna is sane or not, and if she will be able to come
I was drawn into the Brice family's story and by the end of the book I cared about them and felt as if I knew them. I appreciated the author's no holds barred, realistic portrayal of the therapist and client relationship. Not only is the reader drawn into the subject's inner world, the reader is also pulled into the world of the therapist and given a ring side seat into the cognitive operation of the therapist mind. Napier and Whitaker lay out the theories that inform their practice. For example, they identify, feedback spirals, triangulation, transference, and enmeshed identities, for the reader and then demonstrate through the narrative, methods for assisting families in leaping over these
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
Why is externalising a central technique in narrative therapy today, and what are the limitations and successes of this technique?
For this reason, some of the brief therapies, such as strategic family therapy or solution-focused therapy, that focus on rapid change without much attention to understanding, might be more appropriate. However, I believe these brief therapies do not give clients enough time to really parse out their problem. I am wary of counseling that limits clients’ ability to tell their stories fully, which seems like just one more way of silencing people, oppressing them, and keeping them in line. In working with my clients I want to collectively understand how problem-saturated stories developed, the cultural, familial, or biological factors that might be involved, and the availability of choices. I believe that narrative therapy is the most flexible approach in this respect because although not brief, it is efficient and seems to be effective long-term, although more research is needed, which is challenging because of the subjective nature of this approach (Madigan, 2011). In my therapy practice, I want to leave clients feeling hopeful and liberated by helping them to see the problem as separate from their identities and as only one story to choose from several, and by acknowledging the contextual factors contributing to the
Narrative therapy is a philosophical mindset in which individuals approach therapy and being in the world.
Another noteworthy feature of this approach is the chance to empathize. In most forms of therapy, empathy is not used: why would you want to add more conflict to an already difficult situation? Well, as counterintuitive as it may seem, it does have standing. By definition empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another person. In this context empathy serves as an indirect way for readers to relive and recall their own experiences. The power of empathy is often overlooked. “Humans and other higher primates appear to be predisposed to empathy, to respond emotionally to [a] secure sense of self . . .” (O’Conner). This is significantly better than just plunging into one’s past without buffer material. This feature is also what makes
Michael White and David Epston are the leading figures of narrative therapy which gained popularity in the 1990’s (Biggs & Hinton-Bayre, 2008). In developing narrative therapy White and Epston were influenced by many of their peers. These peers included lea...
Next, we will discuss key concepts involved in Reality Therapy. Then it will explain the various techniques used in this form of therapy. It will then analyze the target population. Finally, it will develop a scenario, using reality therapy, as a basis to present a hypothetical patient, as a counselor discussing the strategies that would be used to counsel this client. Thesis Statement: Does one’s past define his or her future?
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
This approach to therapy emerged within the postmodern period from a postmodern branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge. As a narrative councilor, human service worker, or therapist the focus is the narrative in narrative therapy. In this approach the councilor, human service worker, or therapist becomes a collaborator along with the client in a process to developing stronger narratives. Throughout this process, the councilor ask many questions to create a vivid descriptions of one’s life events that are not at the time included in the plot of the problem of the story. By forming a concept of a non-essentialized identity, the narrative approach practices separating a person from qualities and or attributes that are or can be taken-for-granted within a modern and structuralism pattern.