Sociopolitical Activist or Conversational Partner? Distinguishing the Position of the Therapist in Narrative and Collaborative Therapies
Gerald Monk Ph.D.,
Diane R. Gehart Ph.D.,
Corresponding Author
Gerald Monk Ph.D.
Gerald Monk, Department of Counseling and School Psychology, San Diego State University
regarding this article should be addressed to Gerald Monk, Ph.D., Department of Counseling and School Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanille Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1179. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDiane R. Gehart Ph.D.
Diane Gehart, Counseling and Special Education Department, California State University, Fresno
Search for more papers by this authorGerald Monk Ph.D.,
Diane R. Gehart Ph.D.,
Corresponding Author
Gerald Monk Ph.D.
Gerald Monk, Department of Counseling and School Psychology, San Diego State University
regarding this article should be addressed to Gerald Monk, Ph.D., Department of Counseling and School Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanille Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1179. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDiane R. Gehart Ph.D.
Diane Gehart, Counseling and Special Education Department, California State University, Fresno
Search for more papers by this authorThe authors thank Stacey L. Sinclair, Ph.D. for her generous assistance with editorial comments and insights. And also thank Craig Smith, Ph.D. for his thoughtful responses.
Abstract
In this article, we explore the similarities and differences of two contemporary family therapy approaches: narrative and collaborative therapies. These therapies are contrasted by describing positioning of the narrative practitioner as sociopolitical activist and the collaborative practitioner as conversational partner. The article begins with a brief overview of the two therapies. Subsequently, we outline their epistemological genealogies and the practice similarities that arise from the theoretical assumptions underpinning these therapies. The remainder of the article addresses the theoretical and therapeutic differences in narrative and collaborative approaches reflected in the positioning of therapist as either sociopolitical activist or conversational partner. While narrative and collaborative approaches share more similarities than differences in relation to their emphasis on the constitutive characteristics of language, focus on socioŕelational contexts, and critique of singular objective truths, prominence is given to the starker contrasts in narrative and collaborative understandings of politics, power, dialogue, and discourse. It is proposed that by outlining some provocative contrasts between narrative and collaborative approaches, new conversations and generative practices will emerge in the therapy room.
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