Discussion: Theory Integration

For narrative-collaborative and solution-focused therapies, primacy is given to clients’ own meaning-making of their family stories. In other words, change comes not from altering dysfunctional patterns of relating, but re-authoring the ways couples and families make meaning of their relationships. Consider the impact of such techniques if your theoretical orientation is more action-oriented in focus. Conversely, imagine the potential difficulty if narrative-collaborative is your chosen theory, but clients are less inclined to talk about their problems and participate in this type of storytelling.

For this Discussion, select one of the theories demonstrated in the media this week (either narrative-collaborative or *solution-focused*). Consider challenges you might encounter if you attempted to integrate the theory you selected with your lens for couples counseling, including, but not limited to, agency or private practice demands, ethical responsibilities, or theory incompatibility. https://waldenu.kanopy.com/video/irreconcilable-differences-solution-focused-approach-marital-therapy

By Day 4

Post a brief explanation of one challenge you may encounter if you attempted to integrate the theory you selected with your main theoretical orientation in your future professional practice. Then, explain how you might mitigate this challenge.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Select and respond to a colleague who selected a different theory and title your posting as follows: “Integrating [X] theory into [Y] theory”

Colleague 1: Tomeka

A brief explanation of one challenge you may encounter if you attempted to integrate the theory you selected with your main theoretical orientation in your future professional practice. 

The theory I choose is narrative-collaborative. The video explains to the listeners how narrative-collaborative allows clients to rewrite their personal stories, experiences, and relationships (Psychotherapy.net, 2002b). “In therapy organized by the narrative metaphor, we work to help people find new meaning in their lives by experiencing, telling, and circulating stories of as-yet-unstoried aspects of their lives and relationships” (Gurman, et al., 2015, p. 271).  Alternative stories permit individuals to live out new characters, additional opportunities for connections, and new fates dependent on encounters shown. (Gurman, et al., 2015).  One challenge I may encounter if I attempted to integrate the narrative-collaborative with the main theoretical orientation in my future professional practice would be not knowing if clients are being honest. Individuals don’t normally think about the narratives they are naturally introduced to as stories (Gurman, et al., 2015). Narrative therapy gives the client the opportunity of how they tell their story and explain their truths. In the video, it states how in narrative-collaborative, the client and social worker rewrite this story (Psychotherapy.net, 2002b). Strengths and new perspectives are included when the client rewrites the story (Psychotherapy.net, 2002b). The social worker rewrite should provide support to the story written by the client (Psychotherapy.net, 2002b).

Then, explain how you might mitigate this challenge.

I might mitigate this challenge by explaining to the client at the beginning of the session how important it is for them to discuss the truths so that I can better understand their life and help them throughout the process. I would also share with them the statement made by Carlson, “Be careful of the stores you tell about yourself and that others tell about you because eventually, they’ll live you” (Psychotherapy.net, 2002b). It can have an impact on how we not only view ourselves but how others view us. Others could expect us to live what we have told to them. 

Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New 

York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Psychotherapy.net. (Producer). (2002b). Narrative therapy with children [Video file]. United States: Author.

Colleague 2: Adriana 

One challenge I may encounter is integrating Narrative therapy in my future professional practice. The narrative is as it sounds; the client is telling their own story from their lens. According to Gurman (2015), “the teller of the story and invite him or her to reflect on the partner’s reflection.” The partner’s response and body language are essential. Their response will tell if the speaker is speaking the truth. As social workers, narrative therapy is an excellent idea because the client can lead. However, the social workers must look at other aspects of the client—their body language and how the other party will react and respond to the message. With narrative therapy, Gurman also mentions other skills to use. According to Gurman (2015), “stories need listeners as well as tellers.” According to Psychotherapy (2002), “allow the client define the issue, in their own words.” Another challenge is for the social worker not to indulge too much in one topic throughout the session finding balance is critical and elaborating the main focus points. 

I might mitigate this challenge by allowing the couple to tell their story from their lens. If there is something that may be shocking, keeping a neutral look is highly important. Because clients will react to my interaction, I would also build the rapport of comfort for my clients, and be respectful and remain neutral and present, positive feedback and empathy.

References

Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Chapter 10, “Narrative Couple Therapy

Psychotherapy.net. (Publisher). (2002b). Narrative therapy with children. [Video file]. United States: Retrieved from the Walden Library Datatbases.