The Multicultural Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy
The Multicultural Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy
Liberty University
HSER 509
Dr. M. E. Cooper
July 05, 2013
Abstract
One of the most difficult situations that face counselors and their clients is the daunting task of listening with understanding while removing bias from the counselors thought process. The wall of bias and not understanding creates fear for those seeking help from the counseling institution. While there are many different counseling techniques available to the counselor many do not cross the threshold of understanding cultural differentiation as capably as Narrative Therapy. Those who live in the United States are quickly finding the problem of multicultural living and associations is drastically changing the European American influence. The counseling paradigm of Narrative Therapy gives a voice to those who are in need of counseling and sweeps away the cultural differences in an atmosphere that is conducive to trust being developed and healing being offered as the end result. Additionally, the Narrative Therapy approach to counseling allows that patient to be viewed from within their culture that creates a healthy racial identity without the fear of being profiled or stereotyped. Moreover, Narrative Therapy offers a haven of respect with a no culpability approach that allows the persons cultural distinctiveness stay intact rather than a tool of shame. The concept of narrative therapy was introduced to world of counseling by Michael White and David Epstein due to the fact that both men realized that people living in the modern world have begun to organize his or her life in narrative terms. In other words, people generally construct or create their evolving life story to address the past and give purpose to his or her future life. So, as therapists who are employing the narrative construct for helping people, the gift of hearing these life stories is made available for us to examine within the context of
Liberty University
HSER 509
Dr. M. E. Cooper
July 05, 2013
Abstract
One of the most difficult situations that face counselors and their clients is the daunting task of listening with understanding while removing bias from the counselors thought process. The wall of bias and not understanding creates fear for those seeking help from the counseling institution. While there are many different counseling techniques available to the counselor many do not cross the threshold of understanding cultural differentiation as capably as Narrative Therapy. Those who live in the United States are quickly finding the problem of multicultural living and associations is drastically changing the European American influence. The counseling paradigm of Narrative Therapy gives a voice to those who are in need of counseling and sweeps away the cultural differences in an atmosphere that is conducive to trust being developed and healing being offered as the end result. Additionally, the Narrative Therapy approach to counseling allows that patient to be viewed from within their culture that creates a healthy racial identity without the fear of being profiled or stereotyped. Moreover, Narrative Therapy offers a haven of respect with a no culpability approach that allows the persons cultural distinctiveness stay intact rather than a tool of shame. The concept of narrative therapy was introduced to world of counseling by Michael White and David Epstein due to the fact that both men realized that people living in the modern world have begun to organize his or her life in narrative terms. In other words, people generally construct or create their evolving life story to address the past and give purpose to his or her future life. So, as therapists who are employing the narrative construct for helping people, the gift of hearing these life stories is made available for us to examine within the context of
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