Some Historical Conditions of Narrative Work

• Published in: Family process Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 363 - 378
• Main Author: BEELS, C. CHRISTIAN
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.09.2009; Wiley; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Family counseling; Family Life; Family psychotherapy. Systemic therapy; Family Therapy - history; History; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Hypnosis; Leadership; Literary criticism; Medical sciences; Michael White; Narration - history; Narrative; Narratives; Psychoanalysis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapies. Psychological and clinical counseling; Psychotherapy - history; Therapy; Training; Treatment; Treatments; Human; Treatment; Language; Narrative; Professional practice; Family psychotherapy; Case history; Occupational training; Supervision
• ISSN: 0014-7370; 1545-5300
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2009.01288.x

Written to honor the immense contribution of Michael White as a leader in the development of narrative therapy, this historical essay contrasts the origins of psychoanalysis, family therapy and narrative therapy. Changes in the understanding of therapeutic strategies, methods of training and supervision, styles of leadership, the involvement of audiences in the therapeutic and training processes, and conceptions of the nature of the mind are described. A style of direct demonstration of methods, especially of the formulation of questions, is important in narrative work. The central master‐role of the therapist in analysis and family therapy is replaced in narrative work by eliciting local knowledge, and the recruitment of audiences to the work. This is consistent with narrative therapy's “de‐centered” image of the therapist. RESUMEN Escrito para honrar la enorme contribución de Michael White como líder en el desarrollo de la terapia narrativa, este ensayo histórico compara los orígenes del psicoanálisis, la terapia familiar y la terapia narrativa. Se describen los cambios en la comprensión de estrategias terapéuticas, los métodos de capacitación y supervisión, los estilos de liderazgo, la participación del público en los procesos terapéuticos y de capacitación, y los conceptos de la naturaleza de la mente. En el trabajo narrativo es importante usar un estilo de demostración directa de métodos, especialmente de formulación de preguntas. El rol central del terapeuta en la terapia familiar y de análisis es reemplazado en el trabajo narrativo mediante la invitación a contribuir conocimiento local y la convocatoria de público al trabajo. Esto concuerda con la imagen “descentrada” del terapeuta en la terapia narrativa. Palabras clave: historia, narrativa, capacitación, Michael White