NARRATIVE THERAPY: EXTERNALIZING PROBLEMS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY
'Externalizing in therapy helps to see problems as an independent story and focus on resolving internal conflicts without self-blame.'
Narrative therapy is a postmodern type of postmodern therapy centered on the individual, developed by Michael White and David Epston and emerged with their work in the 1980s. It mainly deals with the narrative reflection of one's problems and concerns. One can pay attention while expressing one's problems; one can describe one's memories, the basis of one's traumas and the behaviors that have changed as a result. Thus, the individual can get to know himself/herself from an outside perspective.
Narrative therapy, examines the transformation of a person's life into individualized stories over time through external environment and experiences. As these stories become important to the person, they can become part of the self. They can shape the individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The combination of positive and negative stories can form a person's character and as a result, good and bad experiences and stories can influence a person's life. However, the individual may focus so much on the bad experiences that they may not remember the good memories. Therefore, the individual may internalize the bad events. As a result, they may start to see themselves as a part of their story. Therefore, he/she cannot look at the problems caused by his/her story from the outside, cannot identify them and cannot try to change them. Narrative therapy is designed to help the individual recognize these stories, share them with the therapist and put an end to the negative effects of these stories. Attempting to change the way the person perceives the external environment and the world in their schemas provides a facilitative way in therapy. The client is encouraged and given space to tell his/her story. The therapy shows the basis of the problems and tries to change the perspective by asking questions without directing the counselee according to the situation of the person's stories. When the problem is externalized, the person gets rid of the stories that determine and shape their life and relationships in life. In this way, they gain the advantage of repositioning themselves in the face of problems. Externalizing the problem increases one's hope and gives a chance to stop blaming oneself. They distinguish between the externalized problem and their own skills, interests and abilities, see the potential for change and open new doors for self-improvement. They bring their past and future stories together to create a new story and future.
Narrative therapy can be used for people with anxiety, bullying history, anxious and avoidant attachment styles, trauma memories and post-traumatic situations, stress, perfectionism, family and dual relationship problems, neglect, abuse and addiction history. The course of therapy varies according to the needs of the person and the lives they live. The client and therapist use the sessions effectively and to the fullest. The process progresses according to the client's internalization of their stories. In this process, the client gains a comprehensive perspective on his/her experiences, examines his/her own self and identity, and realizes that different situations can occur. In narrative therapy, the person emphasizes their memories of being resourceful, effective and having good qualities and being able to overcome their problems. However, using the therapy earlier than it should be used may cause the client to withdraw or become overwhelmed by the problem.
REFERENCE: Becermen, M. (2004). The problem of understanding in Dilthey, Heidegger and Gadamer. Uludağ University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Journal of Social Sciences, 6 (6), 35-66.
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