Postmodern Approaches in Counseling Theory

Counseling Theory: Postmodern Approaches Counseling orientation has experienced paradigm shifts over the decades from traditional pioneering theories such as cognitive theory, psychoanalysis, and humanism to the postmodernist theory. The rationale for the progression to postmodernism has been the evolving notion of a multiplicity of reality, a shift from modernist empiricism to constructivism (Shurts, 2015). The traditional counseling theorist considered counseling as a true mapping of the psychic phenomena depicting an accurate depiction of human psychological processes (Hansen, 2015).

Contrasting with the modernistic approach that assumes a knowable reality, postmodernism assumes that observers create realities. Hansen (2015) notes postmodernism is grounded on the premise of anti-essentialism where observers always infuse phenomena with meaning as opposed to the true knowledge of phenomena being revealed by through objective observation.

Postmodern therapy is anchored on the principle of collaborative and consultative stance between the patient and therapist as opposed to the unidirectional and authoritative stance According to Shurts (2015), postmodern theorist anchor the assertion to constructivism, which is the process which people develop knowledge about reality, hence creating their own reality. The premise of postmodern therapy is common beliefs deconstruction and evaluation of common beliefs value to individual life.

Within the postmodern context, the counselor ensures a constructive task that cultivates a sense of equality between the patient and the counselor in the process of constructing meaning (Hansen, 2015). Postmodernism detours from the traditional therapy approach where the role of the counselor is enlightening the client with the client are playing a passive role pin meaning construction.

The approach entails collective efforts my multiple founders such as Insoo Kim Berg Steve de Shazer who were the pioneers of the solution-focused brief therapy, and Michael White and David Epston who is the co-founder of Narrative therapy (Hansen, 2015; Sapp, 2016). The theorist premised their argument on multiple truths and realities socially constructed through human interaction. Postmodernism is premised on the assumption of inexistence of universal truth and reality, implying that the existence of infinite truths and realities (Shurts, 2015).

The postmodernist posit that the constantly evolving realities and truths no individual’s perspective is less truthful than the other is since they are shaped by different social constructs. The assumption that people can create own solutions is another foundation of postmodernist therapy. Essentially the client is an expert of their life; hence, the therapist ought to cultivate an opportunity for the client to passively construct a solution. Hence, the collaborative partnership is the best therapy.

The theory further assumes that cumulative small changes yield larger changes Based on the theories premise of multiple truths and realities the theory seek to enable people to construct the meaning of lives through conversation. The approach seeks to redefine therapy from the traditional problem saturated approach of anthologizing clients to identify the underlying causes of problems. The focus of the approach is identifying a client’s value and strengths resulting in a self- identity grounded on resourcefulness and competence, enabling construction of solutions for present and the future.

Subsequently, the focus of the approach is changing the client’s perception of their problems and concerns. The approach seeks to collaboratively create specific concise, concrete, realistic and observable milestones for the client (Shurts 2015). Solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy are the major theories in postmodernism. The techniques assist the client in the self- examination, which enables the identification of strengths and solutions for present and future concerns.

Solution based approach is based on the assumption that understanding the root cause of the problem may not necessarily be helpful in helping clients construct solutions to their problems (Lopes et al., 2014). Solution based therapy centers on motivating the client to develop solutions to problems as opposed to focusing on the problem. The approach is highly effective in clients defining themselves by their problems. The multitiered therapy sessions entail clients directing the conversations so that the therapist can establish inherent traits and clients approach to life.

A solution – based approach emphasizes on change-talk and creative use of questioning that enables the client to establish alternative variations of their stories. According to Shurts, (2015), the language adopted in the framework entails the use of forward-thinking terminologies, future-oriented questions, miracle questions, and scaling of questions to enable the client to explore their unique abilities and strengths. Informed by constructivism, narrative therapy eschews therapy as a storied conceptualization of problems embedded in cultural context (Lopes et al., 2014).

The theory recognizes that people live within a broader cultural context with a salient cultural discourse that compound people’s approach to problems. As opposed to revealing objective truth, narrative therapy entails engaging in alternative narratives, a client sequences their stories to construct meaning from experience positioning the client to adapt to the present and future.

Lopes et al., (2014) observes that narrative therapy disintegrates people from their problems, a perspective that enables the clients to distance themselves from the problems and empowers the clients to reflect and rewrite their thought patterns and behavior. In narrative therapy, the therapist is an audience to the client, enabling free dialogue and creation of a new affirming approach to the client’s story. The narrative approach empowers the therapist and clients by incorporating the role of life realities.

While engaging in a narrative therapeutic session, the therapist suggests modifications to the client to shape the story of their life (Shurts, 2015). The scope of the population to whom the post-modernist therapy techniques are applicable is diverse including children, adults, families, couples, and community in a versatile setting. Hansen (2015) identifies that solution-focused therapy as well suited for people with depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. Hansen (2015) observes that narrative therapy is increasingly employed in diverse human conditions including depression, relationship concerns, family distress, and eating disorders.

A predominant aspect of postmodernism is the shift from an individual lens to embracing a vibrant multicultural perspective. According to Sapp (2016), gender, race, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, beliefs, and religion are some of the social constructions that frame storytelling in counseling. Multiculturalism is a potent force that is helping counselors debunk the social constructs that influence people’s experiences. Approaching mental health from an ethnocentric construction, for example, has been identified to enhance the client’s self-esteem and overcome co-dependency relationship.

The brevity of the postmodern therapy approach is expedient with the limitations imposed traditional approach that perceives people as abstract, predictive, and free of social context (Shurts, 2015). By moving away from the autonomous approach and integrating the cultural and economic forces, postmodernism offers the opportunity for diversity in constructing solutions. The approach major contribution to psychotherapy has been an emphasis on the personal.