Constructivist Therapies, Solutions & Stories — Chapter 15 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy

Chapter 15 of Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis dives into Constructivist Therapies, highlighting Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Narrative Therapy. These modern approaches emphasize the client’s strengths, resources, and ability to construct new solutions, rather than focusing on analyzing the origins of problems. This summary, based on our podcast breakdown of Chapter 15, shows how brief, future-oriented techniques can foster meaningful change in therapy.

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Constructivism vs. Empiricism

Constructivist therapies are rooted in the idea that reality and knowledge are constructed by the individual. In contrast to empiricist approaches, which seek objective truth, constructivist therapies value the client’s unique perspective, experiences, and stories as central to the therapeutic process.

Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

Developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer, SFT encourages clients to identify and amplify solutions. Rather than analyzing problems, the focus is on present and future change. Key techniques include:

• Miracle Question: Helping clients imagine life if their problem was suddenly resolved.
• Exception-Finding Questions: Identifying times when the problem was absent as a basis for building solutions.
• Goal Setting: Defining positive, achievable outcomes for therapy.

The case study of Diane illustrates SFT’s power, as she quickly recovers from a breakup by shifting from problem talk to solution talk.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy, pioneered by Michael White, empowers clients to reconstruct their personal narratives and see themselves as the authors of their lives. Techniques include:

• Externalization: Viewing the problem as separate from the person.
• Finding Sparkling Moments: Highlighting times of strength, resilience, or success within the client’s story.
• Narrative Empathy: Deeply understanding the client’s experience through their personal stories.
• Reauthoring: Supporting clients in developing new, more empowering narratives about their lives.

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) combines storytelling and exposure techniques to effectively address trauma.

Therapeutic Processes, Effectiveness & Criticisms

Constructivist therapies utilize consciousness raising, choice, and counterconditioning via storytelling and goal setting. While research shows SFT has modest effectiveness and NET is valuable for trauma, criticisms remain from cognitive-behavioral and psychoanalytic perspectives. Nonetheless, these approaches are valued for crisis management, coaching, and brief therapy contexts.

Glossary: Key Terms from Chapter 15

• Constructivism: The belief that knowledge is created by the individual.
• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): Therapy focused on building solutions, not exploring causes.
• Narrative Therapy: Changing lives by constructing new personal stories.
• Miracle Question: Technique to envision life without the problem.
• Externalization: Separating the problem from the person.
• Exception-Finding: Looking for times when the problem didn’t occur.
• Narrative Empathy: Understanding the client’s emotional world through their narrative.
• Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET): Trauma therapy combining storytelling and exposure.

Conclusion: The Promise of Constructivist Therapies

Constructivist therapies, through SFT and Narrative Therapy, help clients find solutions and build new narratives for change. By focusing on resources and future possibilities, these approaches are especially useful in brief and crisis settings. For a thorough overview, watch the video summary and subscribe for more chapters.

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