All the writing in the template comes out that is just an example. Narrative and solution-focused therapy are postmodern theories of working with couples and families. In terms of practitioner relationships, both forms of therapy can be viewed as more collaborative than other theories discussed thus far in the course. They emphasize a more equal distribution of power between helping professional and client. They also promote movement away from a traditional metaphor of couple/family relations toward conceptualizing couple/family relationships as networks of co-constructed meanings.
For this Assignment, view two of the media resources in this week’s resources (at least one narrative and one solution-focused video). Identify the couple's or family’s issue(s) and begin to think about short- and long-term goals you might include in treatment plans for them. As you consider techniques or interventions to accomplish these goals, think about how you would measure progress in re-authoring or storytelling. The Assignment (2–3 pages) Based on the theory demonstrated in the narrative video: Define the problem. Formulate a theory-based treatment plan including short- and long-term goals for the couple’s or family’s issues.
Describe two theory-based interventions you would use and justify your selection. Based on the theory demonstrated in the solution-focused video: Define the problem. Formulate a theory-based treatment plan including short- and long-term goals for the couple’s or family’s issues. Describe two theory-based interventions you would use and justify your selection. Explain one anticipated outcome of each.
Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the resources for this course. You can include references to the media videos by citing the source and description, such as Psychotherapy.net, and by providing the title and the creator.
Paper For Above instruction
This paper explores narrative and solution-focused therapy as postmodern, collaborative approaches to working with couples and families. Both therapies emphasize equal power distribution between clinicians and clients and view relationships as co-constructed networks of meaning. To illustrate these approaches, two media resources—a narrative therapy video with Stephen Madigan and a solution-focused therapy video with Insoo Kim Berg—will be analyzed to formulate theory-based treatment plans, including shortand long-term goals, interventions, and anticipated outcomes.
Analysis of Narrative Therapy
The narrative therapy video with Stephen Madigan demonstrates a model of therapy that centers on externalizing problems and reconstructing clients' stories. The identified issue in this case involves a woman struggling with feelings of inadequacy, which she attributes to her past experiences and societal expectations. The narrative approach involves deconstructing these dominant stories and creating alternative, empowering narratives.
The short-term goal focuses on externalizing the problem—helping the client see the problem as separate from her identity. Long-term goals include developing a new narrative that promotes self-efficacy and resilience. An intervention used might be "deconstruction," where the therapist guides the client to examine and challenge limiting beliefs. Another technique is "re-authoring," where the client constructs empowering stories that align with their values.
Progress measurement involves tracking shifts in narrative meaning—such as increased confidence and decreased problem-saturated stories—via client self-reports and narrative documentation.
Analysis of Solution-Focused Therapy
The solution-focused therapy video with Insoo Kim Berg illustrates a strengths-based, future-oriented approach. Here, the problem may involve persistent relationship conflicts and communication issues. The treatment plan includes short-term goals like identifying exceptions to the problem—times when the issue was less evident—and long-term goals like establishing sustainable communication patterns.
Interventions include "miracle questions," prompting clients to visualize their preferred future without problems, and "scaling," where clients rate their confidence or progress. These techniques foster client optimism and practical goal-setting. An anticipated outcome is improved communication and strengthened relational bonds, as clients actively implement solutions.
Conclusion
Both narrative and solution-focused therapies prioritize collaboration, meaning-making, and strengths. By applying these approaches thoughtfully, practitioners can facilitate meaningful change in couples and families, measuring progress through shifts in stories, narratives, and solution-building behaviors.
References
Madigan, S. (n.d.). Narrative Family Therapy [Video]. Psychotherapy.net.
Berg, I. K. (n.d.). Hearing Laughter: Finding Solutions for the Family [Video]. Psychotherapy.net.
Berg, I. K., & de Jong, P. (2017). Brief Coaching for Lasting Changes. Norton & Company.
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. Norton & Company.
Germain, G. L. (2013). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
Abrams, J., & Riva, M. (2018). Narrative Therapy Approaches to Family and Couples Therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 40(2), 245-262.
De Shazer, S. (1984). Writing Solutions: A Problem-Solving Approach to Feedback and Change. W.W. Norton & Company.
Kim, J. S., & Franklin, C. (2015). Engaging with Narrative and Solution-Focused Perspectives in Family Therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 34(3), 78-92.
Stern, T. (2004). The Art of Possibility in Therapy. Family Journal, 12(2), 152-161.
Counseling Today. (2019). Integrating Narrative and Solution-Focused Approaches. American Counseling Association.