POST-MORDERN APPROACHS
Modernists believe people seek therapy for a problem when they have deviated too far from
some objective norm. For example, clients may think they are abnormally depressed when
they experience sadness for longer than they think is normal. They might then seek help to
return to “normal” behaviour.
Postmodernists believe in the subjective realities that don’t exist independent of
observational processes
Post-modern Approaches:
1. Post-modern world: Truths and realities are based on viewpoints which have been
derived from history, rather than objective facts. Postmodernists believe that realities
do not exist independent of observational processes
2. In postmodern thinking, language and the use of language in stories create meaning
3. Social Constructionism: There is no single, universal theory that can be used to
explain/understand human beings
4. Values are placed on the client’s reality without disputing whether it is rational or
accurate
5. Understanding is based on the use of languages
6. Realities are socially constructed
7. Post-modern theories belief that if a person is associated with an event, then they
have some sort of reality towards the situation
8. Therapist disavows their role as the expert, and places it on the client
9. Therapeutic process= relies on understanding language and narratives
4 Basic Assumptions:
1. Challenge knowledge that has historically guided our understanding of the world, and
they caution us to be suspicious of assumptions of how the world appears to be.
2. Knowledge and concepts are used to understand the world and are culturally specific
3. Knowledge is formed through social processes. What we consider to be “truth” is a
product of daily interactions between people in daily life. Thus, there is not a single or
“right” way to live one’s life.
4. Knowledge and social action go together because social constructions are considered
to be practices that affect social life rather than being abstractions from it.
Social Constructionism (helps the client construct a new reality- they not just a “borderline
disorder”)
1. It’s a therapeutic perspective within a postmodern worldview: it stresses the client’s
reality without disputing whether it’s accurate or rational
2. The client, rather than the therapist, is seen as the expert – collaborative
3. The therapist encourages the client to portray their perceptions, resources and
unique experiences
4. The therapist uses questions which will empower the client to speak about and
express their positions
, 5. The therapist is there to present optimism and the process
Therapeutic goals:
1. Generate new meaning about their client’s lives
2. Co-develop, with the client, ways to identify and overcome their problems in ways
which are unique to the situation
3. Make the client aware that their dominant culture may have an impact on them
4. Therapist is there to assist the client in forming alternative ways of being, acting,
knowledge and
5. living
Key Concepts:
1. Post-modern theorists believe in multiple truths
2. Postmodern theorists believe in subjective reality, which is understood through
language
3. Post-modern theorists believe the best therapy takes place through collaboration and
consultation
4. Post-modern theories have been influential in developing multiple theories
Solution-Focusses Brief Therapy (SFBT):
1. Based on person-orientated approach
➢ Holds the belief that humans are healthy and competent
2. Has similarities to positive psychology
3. Focusses on what is working now
4. Downplays the past, while emphasising the future and present
5. Therapists should assist client’s in finding solutions to their problems
6. Shift from problem-orientated to solution-focus stance
7. Emphasis is on constructing a solution, rather than problem solving
Basic Assumptions:
1. The problem itself may not assist in finding an effective solution. Individuals who
come to therapy do have the capability of behaving effectively, even though this
effectiveness may be temporarily blocked by negative cognitions. Problem-focused
thinking prevents people from recognizing effective ways they have dealt with
problems.
2. People can create their own solutions. There are advantages to a positive focus on
solutions and on the future.
3. Small changes often lead to larger changes. No problem is constant, and change is
inevitable. What people need to do is become aware of any positive changes that are
happening. Small changes pave the way for larger changes. Oftentimes, small changes
are all that are needed to resolve problems that clients bring to therapy.
4. The client is the expert of their lives
5. The best therapy is a collaborative partnership.
Modernists believe people seek therapy for a problem when they have deviated too far from
some objective norm. For example, clients may think they are abnormally depressed when
they experience sadness for longer than they think is normal. They might then seek help to
return to “normal” behaviour.
Postmodernists believe in the subjective realities that don’t exist independent of
observational processes
Post-modern Approaches:
1. Post-modern world: Truths and realities are based on viewpoints which have been
derived from history, rather than objective facts. Postmodernists believe that realities
do not exist independent of observational processes
2. In postmodern thinking, language and the use of language in stories create meaning
3. Social Constructionism: There is no single, universal theory that can be used to
explain/understand human beings
4. Values are placed on the client’s reality without disputing whether it is rational or
accurate
5. Understanding is based on the use of languages
6. Realities are socially constructed
7. Post-modern theories belief that if a person is associated with an event, then they
have some sort of reality towards the situation
8. Therapist disavows their role as the expert, and places it on the client
9. Therapeutic process= relies on understanding language and narratives
4 Basic Assumptions:
1. Challenge knowledge that has historically guided our understanding of the world, and
they caution us to be suspicious of assumptions of how the world appears to be.
2. Knowledge and concepts are used to understand the world and are culturally specific
3. Knowledge is formed through social processes. What we consider to be “truth” is a
product of daily interactions between people in daily life. Thus, there is not a single or
“right” way to live one’s life.
4. Knowledge and social action go together because social constructions are considered
to be practices that affect social life rather than being abstractions from it.
Social Constructionism (helps the client construct a new reality- they not just a “borderline
disorder”)
1. It’s a therapeutic perspective within a postmodern worldview: it stresses the client’s
reality without disputing whether it’s accurate or rational
2. The client, rather than the therapist, is seen as the expert – collaborative
3. The therapist encourages the client to portray their perceptions, resources and
unique experiences
4. The therapist uses questions which will empower the client to speak about and
express their positions
, 5. The therapist is there to present optimism and the process
Therapeutic goals:
1. Generate new meaning about their client’s lives
2. Co-develop, with the client, ways to identify and overcome their problems in ways
which are unique to the situation
3. Make the client aware that their dominant culture may have an impact on them
4. Therapist is there to assist the client in forming alternative ways of being, acting,
knowledge and
5. living
Key Concepts:
1. Post-modern theorists believe in multiple truths
2. Postmodern theorists believe in subjective reality, which is understood through
language
3. Post-modern theorists believe the best therapy takes place through collaboration and
consultation
4. Post-modern theories have been influential in developing multiple theories
Solution-Focusses Brief Therapy (SFBT):
1. Based on person-orientated approach
➢ Holds the belief that humans are healthy and competent
2. Has similarities to positive psychology
3. Focusses on what is working now
4. Downplays the past, while emphasising the future and present
5. Therapists should assist client’s in finding solutions to their problems
6. Shift from problem-orientated to solution-focus stance
7. Emphasis is on constructing a solution, rather than problem solving
Basic Assumptions:
1. The problem itself may not assist in finding an effective solution. Individuals who
come to therapy do have the capability of behaving effectively, even though this
effectiveness may be temporarily blocked by negative cognitions. Problem-focused
thinking prevents people from recognizing effective ways they have dealt with
problems.
2. People can create their own solutions. There are advantages to a positive focus on
solutions and on the future.
3. Small changes often lead to larger changes. No problem is constant, and change is
inevitable. What people need to do is become aware of any positive changes that are
happening. Small changes pave the way for larger changes. Oftentimes, small changes
are all that are needed to resolve problems that clients bring to therapy.
4. The client is the expert of their lives
5. The best therapy is a collaborative partnership.
