Counselling Theory And Practice: Constructionist Approaches

PSY2016 & PSY3019

A Brief Preamble

PSY2016/3019
Counselling Theory & Practice

Counselling & Psychological Therapies

Constructionist Approaches

PSY2016 & PSY3019

Realism vs Constructionism
• For realists the human mind & behaviour are part of the natural world. For constructionists human activity and experience is constructed by the individual & their context (culture).
• Realist approaches are concerned with the causes of behaviour and experience, constructionist approaches with the meaning of behaviour and experience.

Most (if not all) approaches to counselling and psychotherapy start with some basic assumptions about the nature of human behaviour & experience.

A broad distinction can be made between
There is no absolute reality.
• People are healthy, competent, resourceful, and have the ability to construct solutions and alternative stories to enhance their lives.
• Helps clients to recognise their competencies and build on their potential, strengths, and resources. PSY2016 & PSY3019

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
• People can create their own solutions

PSY2016 & PSY3019

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
• Therapy grounded on a positive orientation: people are healthy and competent
• Downplay “past”, while highlighting “present and future”
• View people as healthy, competent, and resourceful, with the ability to construct solutions to enhance their lives
• Counselling is concerned with looking for what is working
• Counsellors assist clients in finding exceptions to their problems • The counselling process focuses on creating solutions rather than talking about the problems

PSY2016 & PSY3019

SFBT Goals

• Clients want change (because they have sought help)

• Clients have the ability to define their goals and the resources required to solve their
• Landscape of action - What did you do that was different that time?

• Landscape of consciousness - What do those experiences tell you about yourself?
• Use supportive others to discover the true person - Encourage others to join in the process of supporting the alternative story • Landscape of consciousness - What do those experiences tell you about yourself?
• Use supportive others to discover the true person - Encourage others to join in the process of supporting the alternative story PSY3019 Counselling Theory & Practice

Goals of Narrative Therapy
• To engage clients in making sense of their narrative; • Externalising the client’s problem;
• Mapping the client’s problem;
• Re-authoring the Story;
• Providing a context for the new story.

PSY3019 Counselling Theory & Practice

Strengths & Contributions
• A collaborative approach to counselling therapy.
Counsellor is neither expert on the solution or origin of problems.
• An emphasis on the strengths