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Constructionist psychology is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of language and social interaction in the construction of psychological phenomena. It encompasses several different theories, each of which provides a unique perspective on how individuals create meaning through discourse and social practices.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Psychology is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the ways in which individuals construct personal stories and narratives to make sense of their experiences (Bruner, 1986). This approach is widely used in counseling and therapy, as well as in other professional roles such as coaching and mentoring.
Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that is based on Narrative Psychology, and it involves helping clients to re-author their life stories in a more positive and empowering way (White & Epston, 1990).
Narrative coaching is a similar approach that is used in professional settings outside of therapy, such as executive coaching and career counseling. Narrative coaching focuses on helping clients to identify and align their personal and professional narratives, in order to achieve their goals and increase their sense of purpose and meaning (Cox & Bakker, 2017).
Theorists and Historical Precursors
Theorists and Historical Precursors
The historical precursor to Narrative Psychology can be traced back to the work of Jerome Bruner, who argued that people create meaning through stories and narratives (Bruner, 1986). This idea was further developed by other scholars such as Michael White and David Epston, who applied narrative approaches to therapy and counseling.
Techniques
Techniques
In narrative therapy, clients are encouraged to identify the dominant themes and patterns in their lives, and to explore alternative stories that challenge negative beliefs and assumptions. Techniques used in narrative therapy include externalization, which involves separating the problem from the person, and deconstruction, which involves analyzing the language and discourse used to construct the problem.
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Narrative Psychology is relevant to a multitude of counseling professional roles, including clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. It can also be useful for educators, coaches, and mentors who work with individuals to help them identify and achieve their goals. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals who are experiencing severe mental health issues that require more intensive forms of therapy.
Feminist Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Feminist therapy is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the role of gender and power in shaping psychological issues (Enns, 1997). This approach recognizes that social structures and cultural norms create inequalities that affect individuals' mental health and well-being. Feminist therapists aim to empower clients by helping them to identify and challenge traditional gender roles and to recognize and address the ways in which power and oppression have impacted their lives.
Theorists and Historical Precursors
Theorists and Historical Precursors
The historical precursor to feminist therapy can be traced back to the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s, when feminists began to criticize traditional psychoanalytic approaches for their focus on individual pathology and their lack of attention to the social and cultural factors that contribute to mental health issues (Brown, 2010). Feminist therapy has since evolved to become a distinct theoretical perspective that is widely used in counseling and therapy. "Some notable psychologists in the development of feminist therapy included Jean Baker Miller, Carol Gilligan, Olivia Espin, Laura Brown, and Lillian Comas-Diaz. Through collaboration and political activism, these scholars partnered with other professionals to create and sustain the practice of feminist therapy" (Feminist therapy n.d.).
Techniques
Techniques
Techniques used in feminist therapy include consciousness-raising, which involves helping clients to recognize and challenge their own internalized beliefs about gender and power, and reframing, which involves looking at a problem from a feminist perspective in order to identify and challenge oppressive structures and cultural norms (Brown, 2010). Other techniques may include assertiveness training, empowerment groups, and social activism.
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Feminist therapy is relevant to a multitude of counseling professional roles, including clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. It can also be useful for educators, health professionals, and anyone who works with individuals to help them recognize and challenge gender and power inequalities. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals who are not open to exploring issues related to gender and power.
Solution Focused Behavior Theory
Solution Focused Behavior Theory
Solution based therapy involves changing the focus from one's problems to looking at the positive and seeking solutions. It it thought that one does not need to know the source of their problem to resolve them, for "concentrating on small, realistic, achievable changes can lead to positive outcomes" and "little attention is given to diagnosis, history taking, or exploring the emergence of the problem" (Lightfoot, 2014). This also allows the patient to learn to find solutions on their own rather than having to rely on the therapist, which is imperative for any real behavior change to occur.
Theorists and Historical Precursors
Theorists and Historical Precursors
Solution focused therapy was created by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg and has since become "one of the leading schools of brief therapy and has had major influence in fields such as business, social policy, education, and criminal justice services, child welfare, domestic violence offenders treatment, and more" (What is solution-focused therapy? 2022). It has grown exponentially in popularity since its creation in the late 1970s due to its "usefulness and its brevity" and is currently "one of the leading schools of psychotherapy in the world" (What is solution-focused therapy? 2022).
Techniques
Techniques
There are multiple techniques that are used within solution focused counseling, some of which are listed below:
Goal Development Questions
The Miracle Question
Scaling Questions
Looking for previous solutions
Looking for exceptions
Present and future-focused questions vs. past-oriented focus
Compliments
Inviting the clients to do more of what is working
(What is solution-focused therapy? 2022)
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Relevance to Multiple Roles
Due to the fact that solution based therapy can be used with an endlessly wide range of clients including children, adolescents, couples, families, and more, it is easy to see how it could easily fit into any professional counseling role. SBT can be used in any setting from a school to a private practice, during one-on-one or group sessions, for any problem a patient is facing, including crisis intervention and more (Lightfoot, 2014).
References
References
Brown, L. S. (2010). Feminist therapy. American Psychological Association.
Bruner, J. S. (1986). Actual minds, possible worlds. Harvard University Press.
Cox, E., & Bakker, E. (2017). Narrative coaching: Bringing our new stories to life. Routledge.
Enns, C. Z. (1997). Feminist theories and feminist psychotherapies: Origins, themes, and
diversity. Haworth Press.
Feminist therapy. Feminist Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2023, from
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/feminist-therapy-helps-everyone/
Lightfoot, J. M. (2014, December 12). Solution focused therapy. Solutions Centre. Retrieved
April 22, 2023, from https://solutions-centre.org/pdf/researchpaper_Solution-Focused-
Therapy.pdf
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. W.W. Norton &
Company.
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