A narrative perspective on the externalization of the problem

A narrative perspective on the externalization of the problem

The problem brought into the session by the client can be so caught up in the life of the person that it can be a great challenge for the therapist to solve it from the person. Narrative therapy offers an option of how the therapist can create a breath between the client and his problem. A client who comes in and says: "I am depressed" has indeed completely identified with the problem without separation or borders. If the therapist makes the first attempts to externalize the problem, he can turn the client's statement and ask him: "How does the depression affect your life?" This means that the therapist begins to help the client to understand that he is not the problem; Instead, the problem is the problem. The therapist begins to sow the first seeds of separation.

Michael White, one of the founders of the narrative therapy, finds that the therapist gets involved in "four categories of the examination" when externalizing discussions with clients (White, 2007, p. 38). These four categories are:

1. Definition of the problem.

With various methods (speaking, drawing, painting, reenactment), an understanding of the immediate experience of the client should be obtained.

2. What are the effects of the problem?

Next is determined what effects the problem has and in which areas of life the problem occurs (household, school, work, sport, etc.)

3. Assessment of the effects.

In the third phase, the effects of the activities of the problem are assessed. How does it affect the life of the people affected by the problem and what plans does the problem have for you?

4. Are the future plans okay?

Depending on the client's own perception, it can take some time to find answers to each of the categories. It cannot be a linear process either. The client can first describe his current situation and fears for the future before he understands the full effects of the problem on his life and that of his family members.

To further illustrate these categories, I use a few sessions with a client who had aspects of depression during our time together that they identified as "the hole".

t: Can you describe what is going on with you?

c: I feel like I was in a deep hole and don't come out.

t: I have my own idea of ​​what a deep hole looks like. Can you help me understand what yours looks like and feels?

C: Well ... it's dark and deep ... like midnight, every day; all day. I can't see anything; It is cold and lonely in the hole. I can't climb up or see a way out; Although there are rugged rocks to the top. There is no way out. I am frustrated that I can't do anything about it and nobody knows where I am.

Here the client described that it feels isolated, apparently surrounded by darkness and frustrated that it cannot help but come out of the situation. The client's near experience describes the daily, current experience of his problem. The customer also drew a diagram to illustrate the spiral lows of its effects.

The following comment described the impact on its behavior.

t: How does that affect you? Sit in this dark hole?

c: I can't endure it ... I drink until I write off every weekend just to escape. I don't want to be alone, so I go out with buddies and are devastated to numb and not to think about it.

t: If you do this regularly, every weekend, does it help you to get ready with "The Hole"?

c: Yes, it does. It makes me forget ... until I wake up with a hangover the next morning and realize that nothing has changed. I don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to be thrown back into the trash and forget that it is there.

When the client began to evaluate the effects of "The Hole" on her life, the client reported that it served to alienate her from her partner and children, so that "The Hole" could not be found, confronted or questioned. Although the strong drinking was initially limited to the weekends, it began to sneak into the week and to impair their performance at work.

After all, I wanted to find out whether it is okay for "The Hole" to influence his relationships; Either within his family circle, his circle of friends or his work relationships.

t: So is it okay for you to be separated from your family and friends while trying to hide "The Hole"?

c: No, it is not. I hate that I can't talk to you and tell you what's going on. I can see what it does to us. I am not sure how to record it. I am always up to date, sort things for everyone, but I can no longer.

The client continued to describe his preferred lifestyle, which he called "sunshine". Sunshine was all about family, communication and real connection. That was something that "The Hole" didn't like because it would mean the possible end of its existence.

Externalizing discussions is only the beginning of the trip to solve the problem of the client. It leaves the room that is needed to examine and evaluate. As soon as the client is no longer rooted and identified, it can step back to examine and evaluate the effects of the problem and thus begin to find alternatives for his life (White, 2007, p. 61).

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