Week 5 Theory Integration For narrative-collaborative Discussion
Humanities
Discussion – Week 5
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 difficulties if narrative-collaborative is your chosen theory, but your clients are less inclined to talk about their problems and participate in this type of storytelling.
To prepare for this Discussion, select one of the theories demonstrated in the videos this week (either narrative-collaborative or solution-focused). Consider challenges you might encounter if you attempted to integrate the theory you selected with your theoretical orientation including, but not limited to, agency or private practice demands, ethical responsibilities, or theory incompatibility. Then, envision how you might mitigate these challenges by reflecting on those aspects of the theory that connect with you most and how you might capitalize on them.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 4 a brief description of one challenge you may encounter if you attempted to integrate the theory you selected with your main theoretical orientation in your future practice. Then, explain how you might mitigate this challenge.
My Theoretical Approach is Humanistic and existential
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague’s posting.
REPLY to Classmate Below
RE: Discussion – Week 5
The theory I may have a challenge with embracing if I was to attempt to integrate with my main theoretical orientation in my future practice is the Solution-Focused theory. The theory that I first felt I would want to apply in my practice is Realistic theory. Then as I started learning more about other theories even in this class, I wanted to add Structural theory as one that I want to apply. The Solution-Focused theory seems the most challenging because it does not seem to look at how someone is feeling or emotions. When I was watching the video of the couple, the man looked so hurt to find out that his wife went to see a lawyer about a divorce, yet Berg made no mention of that raw emotion or even addressed it (psychotherapy.net, 1994). I used to think that I would like Solutions-Based approach, but after watching the session, my heart was aching in the beginning. However, I did see it worked because when she brought them back for another session, they seemed to be in better spirits and the husband took the day off and they were intimate together.
In order to overcome the challenge of incorporating this theory, I would have to be willing to add some evaluation of feelings into the session. I must be able to acknowledge I see the emotion and the pain both people were feeling at that time. I already like that it’s focused on solutions, so I like the Miracle question to get the clients thinking about what they want for their future (Gehart &Tuttle, 2003). I also like that in order to get those steps, one would have to change the interaction so they could get that lifestyle.
References
Gehart, D. R., & Tuttle, A. R. (2003). Theory-based treatment planning for marriage and family therapists. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Psychotherapy.net. (Publisher). (1994). Irreconcilable differences: A solution-focused approach to marital therapy [Motion picture]. [With Insoo Kim-Berg]. United States: Psychotherapy.net.
Retrieved from the Walden Library database
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
