Social Construction and Therapy

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 3747 words ( 12 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 10

Page 1 of 12

Shifting the Meanings and Beliefs of Clients

Collaborative practice is variously and commonly referred to as conversational practice, social construction, postmodern, or dialogical, practice. It has evolved from assumptions in the wider postmodern movement in human and social sciences. It has also derived its elements from dialogue and social construction theories. Collaborative relations refer to the manner in which we orient ourselves; act, respond and be with another human so as to have them join in a therapeutic engagement that is shared and joint action (Shotter, 1984). This is also referred to as shared inquiry. In an earlier proposition, Shotter (1984) stated that all humans only exist in joint action; in meeting and interactive discourses with others in mutual fashion. He has lately opted to use ''relationally responsive'' notion (Shotter 2008). He implies that we are naturally relational beings with mutual influence on each other. Thus, the self cannot be split from the systems of relations which define us (Anderson, 2009). When humans have sufficient space for dialogic conversations and collaborative relationships, they talk among themselves in a fresh way. The conversations evolve and stir up differences that can be expressed in a myriad of ways including freeing self-identity, increased self agency, a variety of ways to understand the self, their events of life, and important people in their lives. New ways to counter challenges are also on that list (Anderson, 2009). The therapy process is, basically, a therapeutic conversation. The client and therapist are involved in a mutual puzzle and a search for the understanding of the issue at hand and the befitting solution as is defined by the client.

The process has been described as a shared meaning from interactive endeavor (2007a). We engage with a client regarding their concerns. We explore their views and develop a togetherness perception between us in the process that points to new meaning, a new narrative and a new agency. Conversational questions form a core part of therapeutic conversation. These types of questions emerge from a position of unknowing to a desire to know more of what has been spoken (Anderson, 2009). The unknowing stance presented by the therapist is a rich platform for mutual puzzle activity or a common therapist-client exploration of how the client came up with their set of beliefs and how such beliefs add to their view of the problems. It also seeks to establish whether such beliefs are useful in the effort to diminish the presented problem (Gehart, 2014). The chance to query clients helps clients to shift the preconceived meanings they came to therapy with. It was found in the video that the client had gone for what she believed were the best options for family and her. Her view of herself changed. Video example: The therapist changes her fear beliefs and asks the client, '' do you think you've done anything wrong or has anyone directed you to consciously confront your wrongs?'' and the client responds with a "no."

How Restructuring Client Interactions, or Directing the Client to Alter Behaviour Works

Both the therapist and the client employ new ways to assess situations. Such a perception change leads to behavior change in the client. Both inner and outer talk is put to use to stir the client to their emotions and behaviour. Collaborative therapy does not focus on client behaviour change, or even redirecting the clients toward behavior change from the onset. Such change potential is inherent in the inner and outer verbal exchanges of the individual that examine their world views (Gehart, 2014).

The client is invited into a mutual shared inquiry of the concerns held by the client. The inquiry starts with the therapist seeking entry into the story as a learner of what transpires in the client's life while the client turns out more of a teacher in the engagement. The therapist learns and turns the conversation in such forms that the client begins to view their own experiences from a fresh and unfamiliar perspective. Such discovery stimulates the client to enquire and anticipate. They rely on the client's capacity for self-agency, for the creation of optional alternative solutions to its dilemma (Anderson, 1992).

The role of the therapist is to initiate an opportunity for space for change and not to actively determine the occurrence of such change. The therapist does not delve in specifying specific behavior facets, patterns for interaction, of dysfunctional family conduct. The therapist is only an expert in facilitating an open space for conversation that leads to new lines of the client's system of meaning emerging.

Stuck Writing Your "Social Construction and Therapy" ?

View All Our Example Social Construction and Therapy

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

He stirs up changing views and behavior patterns. A shift in one area of a system can influence similar change in another. Change, here, means expanding, altering, or even loosening ideas and behavior via conversation. According to Anderson (1997) the therapist's role does not incorporate the following: a blank screen (tabula rasa), referee or negotiator, or an intervener of any kind. The therapist is multi-partial; being on each one's side. They are sufficiently supportive but they do not share in any of the party's consensual truths. It only entails assisting a client to speak what they need to speak out. It is also referred to as defensive listening; which involves knowing what the other person is inclined to say and correct it where need be. This approach is based on the premise that it is impossible to completely understand another human being. The best we can do is to analyze and understand what they tell us. Collaborative therapists make active attempts to avoid giving instruction. The process in collaborative therapy involves a series of questions in a deep attempt to unearth meaning together (Anderson, 2007b). Dr. Anderson made use of the dialogue she had with Anita to stick within her rhythm and timings and asked her about Lindsay; Anita's daughter. When Anita pointed out that she abhorred the prospect of turning out a failed mother, the therapist enquired what Anita thought she had done wrongly in her mothering role. This effectively shifted focus from the daughter and her behavior to Anita's feelings. Anita reported that her son lived with her ex. Dr. Anderson sought to find out how Anita related with her son when he left. She stated that she was depressed by the events but got over it later. She pointed out that they related well. Anita also realized that she would fare well if her daughter moved to live with her father. The therapist majored on the client's feelings and not her role as a mother. A more democratic language as opposed to a hierarchical one; and engaging in conversation in an open down-to earth manner encourages a client to engage more and delve deeper in conversation. Dr. listened to Anita and helped her, through narrative, to shift from blaming herself and the complications in her relationship with her daughter to goals and values. For instance, the client changed her behavior towards the daughter and shifted the view of herself from a bad mother to a good one; based on the fact that she was positively complimented by other parents with regard to her mothering role and how Lindsay behaved around others.

Based on what you have read and what you saw Harlene Anderson do, explain to your colleagues how she is using Collaborative approach ideas to change client's meanings and behaviors. Once again, use examples from the video you watched or other sources.

Dr Anderson included another therapist in the session and sought to find out what she thought. The guest therapist wrapped up what had transpired in the encounter and stated her apprehension with regard to Anita's experience. The honesty of the therapist and the accompanying integrity reinforced her connection with the clients and boosted collaboration in the healing process. The recovery model can be combined with collaborative therapy techniques when leading the client to realize solutions to their issues via collaborative conversation. Such stance makes the client feel competent and empowered to take action that is meaningful.

In the course of treating Anita, Dr. Anderson applied conversational questions to grasp the nature of Anita's issue. She also shared her inner dialogue by stating that she had been thinking it was some kind of a question She also made unusual comments such as what the client had done to prompt the state of affairs.

The unknowing stance prompts a therapist to pose questions that appear trivial (Anderson, 2009). That outlook makes Anita develop a new perspective in the exploration of her thoughts. They start to voice to their situation in a dramatic fashion or quiet way. It effectively presents them with a new direction of thought and action. In particular, in place of her viewing her daughter's moving out as a sign of her mothering failures, she was able view the action as a chance for the daughter to know her father and developing a healthy relationship between them.

The main goal of collaborative therapy is to increase the sense of agency of the client. When….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Construction And Therapy" (2016, August 20) Retrieved April 29, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-construction-therapy-2161781

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Construction And Therapy" 20 August 2016. Web.29 April. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-construction-therapy-2161781>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Construction And Therapy", 20 August 2016, Accessed.29 April. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-construction-therapy-2161781
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example