Postmodern Approaches

Postmodern Approaches

• Postmodern approaches believe in concentrating on the strengths of the client
• Do not like diagnosing
• Concentrate on creating solutions for the present and future
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• Who;
• Insoo Kim Berg (1935 - 2007
•  -co-developer of the solution-focused approach
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• Steve Shazer (1940 - 2005)
• Another contributor and pioneer of the solution-focused brief therapy
• Director of Research at the Brief Family Therapy Center
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• Michael White (1949 - 2008)
• Along with David Epston developed Narrative therapy
• Worked with families and communities
• Attracted international interest
• Founded the idea that the client needs to tell their story
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• David Epston
• Worked along side Michael White to develope Narrative therapy
• Has written several books
• Works with people that have eating disorders




• Goals of Approach
• Help client figure out how to handle concerns
• Establish clear, specific, realistic and concrete goals
• Establish observable goals that increase positive change
• Help client create a grounded self identity
• Help them become more competant relying on their own resources to solve problems
• Help client view their life as positive versus problem ridden
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• Key Concepts
• Sessions are brief
• Addresses the present and future
• Relays the idea the person is not the problem
• The problem is the problem
• Uses collaborative dialogue
• Therapist and client co-create solutions
• Help client to tell that story with emphasis on the positive
• Techniques
• Take client back to a time when the problem was not there
• The Miracle question
• Scaling questions
• Narrative therapy
• Help client find an others that will support their new story and changes
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• Links;
• plato.stanford.edu/entries/postmodernism/