Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archaeology of Hope [Hardcover]

Gerald Monk (Editor), John Winslade (Editor), Kathie Crocket (Editor), David Epston (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787903132 | ISBN-13: 978-0787903138 | Publication Date: October 28, 1996

How to apply the definitive postmodern therapeutic technique in a variety of situations, including treating alcoholics, counseling students, treating male sexual abuse survivors, and more. Written with scholarship, energy, practicality, and awareness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The utility of this volume's conservative social constructionist praxis is undeniable. . . . Narrative Therapy in Practice nevertheless provides scholarly and lucidly assembled contributions that significantly broaden the scope of narrative praxis, and for this reason it is recommended reading." (Contemporary Psychology)

". . . recommend Narrative Therapy in Practice . . . to professionals and therapists in training who are interested in learning the theory and the practice of narrative work." (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy)

?This book is a testimony to the spirit of a community of therapists in New Zealand who set about supporting each other in explorations of the practice, ethics and politics of what has come to be known as ?Narrative Therapy.? But more than this, it constitutes a powerful invitation to us all to follow suit, to join with others in the generation of new options for action in this work. Inspired reading.? (Michael White, Dulwich Centre, Adelaide, Australia)

?A wonderful book! Readable and lucid, it clarifies narrative therapy and its specifics for both the beginner and advanced practitioner--and it is also theoretically powerful. I liked the scholarship, the energy, the practicality, and the awareness of complex multicultural issues.? (Allen E. Ivey, distinguished university professor, school and counseling psychology program, University of Massachusetts)

?In this clearly written book, the focus is not on `experts' solving problems, it is on people becoming `consultants to themselves', and dissolving their problems by discovering in dialogue, the new and better, but previously unrecognized possibilities they already contain within themselves. An important and useful book indeed.? (John Shotter, professor of interpersonal relations, Department of Communication, University of New Hampshire)

From the Inside Flap

Narrative therapy, first introduced by Australia's Michael White and New Zealand's David Epston more than ten years ago, is based on the idea that problems are manufactured in social, cultural, and political contexts. Each person produces the meaning of his or her own life from the stories that are available in these contexts. As Narrative Therapy in Practice demonstrates, it is the spirit of collaboration that guides clinicians who use this this innovative approach. Together they work to help clients unearth competencies, talents, abilities, and resources and create a transformed ?redescription? of themselves. The information presented is grounded in solid theories and research in learning, language, and cognitive behavior. Using practical examples, clinicians are shown how narrative therapy can be applied in a variety of situations such as treating alcoholics, group counseling, work with indigenous native communities, and treating male sexual abuse survivors. Narrative Therapy in Practice is the result of an unusual collaboration of therapists, counselors, community and mental health workers, educators, and students who share a firm belief in the hopeful and cooperative style of this therapeutic process. The And result is a book that is as delightful to read as it is instructive, filled with illustrative examples that describe the nature of narrative therapy. The book also includes information on:

• Using externalizing conversations to move the client's focus away from self-attack, recrimination, blame, and judgment, all of which work against productive and positive therapeutic outcomes
• Deconstructing the problem and giving the clients an opportunity to examine unstated cultural assumptions
• Asking questions and responding to stories to gain a complete account of the client's full experience of the problem, its history, and its influence

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (October 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787903132
• ISBN-13: 978-0787903138
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 9.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A revelation., July 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archaeology of Hope (Hardcover)

There are so many books on therapy that reiterate old ideas or advance faddish approaches: this is NOT one of them. The authors develop a new way of assisting clients in overcoming problems in their lives using insights from social construction. The approach is respectful, optimistic, and culturally sensitive. This book is a wonderful antidote to therapist burn-out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's helpful!, January 14, 2009

By 

Chan Ho Man (Tainan, TAIWAN Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archaeology of Hope (Hardcover)

I think it's helpful for those who want to study narrative therapy. The part one in this book is good for someone not familiar with narrative therapy, and the part two is just useful for someone who is in the practice of narrative therapy. I think everyone who like narrative therapy must not miss this book!

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and easy to read, February 24, 2006

By 

Elizabeth (Kansas City, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archaeology of Hope (Hardcover)

This book was required for a Narrative Therapy class I'm taking. It is well written with lots of examples from practice, ranging from child therapy to women with anorexia to community work.