Narrative therapy and minimalism course

A reflection on the functioning of narrative therapy and its link with minimalism.

Narrative therapy belongs to the third wave psychotherapies, which, unlike the first (focused on the patient's pathologies) and the second wave (focused on the problem), are centered on the person. But not only in the sense of rescuing the humanity taken away after two world wars, but in the firm belief that the solutions to people's problems lie in themselves and in their environment.

So, we ask ourselves: how do you convince your patient that he or she already has the tools to overcome his or her discomfort and solve his or her problems without being considered unprofessional and unethical? The answer is Narrative Therapy: Externalization..

Narrative Therapy and Externalization

Externalization allows the patient to see his or her problem as something that accompanies and torments him or her, not as part of him or her. This changes the person's view of his or her problem and allows him or her to choose and make decisions about "the" problem..

The ultimate credo of the narrative approach is: "The person is never the problem, the problem is the problem".

In order to achieve the objectives, it is necessary to pay attention to the language we use. That is why, the narrative therapist focuses on the patient's stories or narratives, considering them as sequential and temporal events coupled in the same theme..

Thus, it frees people from blame and makes them the focal point of the therapy: the most expert in their lives; recognizing their convictions and values, encouraging the exploitation of their abilities and strengthening their commitments to reduce the influence of the problem in their lives.

In doing so, narrative therapy also brings out in the person thoughts and feelings of respect and self-esteem that invade the consultation that invade the consultation, positively affecting the therapist-patient bond. The simple and focused work on the person's perspective on the problem that afflicts him/her, allows the achievement of the therapeutic objectives and a dual benefit.

The narrative approach

In order to externalize the problem, narrative therapy invites to build conversations incorporating alternative stories that reduce the influence of the problem in people's lives.by opening the vision to new life possibilities.

These alternative stories are chosen as those that direct the life that people desire, inviting a rich and detailed description of it and channeling it towards the same goal.

Now, once the problem has been externalized, it is necessary to treat itnce the problem has been externalized, it is necessary to treat it as an entity different from the person who brought it to the consultation.. But how can we do this without underestimating the discomfort it has produced in the person during the time of coexistence? How can we get the patient to visualize the problem objectively and find a truly effective solution without feeling trapped in the problem again? The answer comes with an approach related to narrative therapy: minimalism.

Understanding minimalism

You've probably heard the term "microlearning", or microlearning. Well, minimalist therapy, like "micro" or "mini," is focused on achieving small breakthroughs in people to crystallize their alternative stories.. With microlearning, people learn a new topic step by step and insert it into their cognitive baggage.

With minimalist therapy, the patient performs actions that may be perceived as insignificant, but that, projecting their achievement within the goal to be reached as part of the "new" life they choose to live without the problem, become so impressive and motivating in people that they strengthen their decision to promote their alternative history and open their vision to incorporate various tools from their own capabilities and uniqueness.

It may sound simple and easy to do, but it is important to be clear about the problem, how to externalize it, the appropriate language in relation to your patient and, of course, the alternative life story that your patient wants to tell, the alternative life story that your patient wants to start walking without the company of the problem..

If you take these premises into account and apply them properly with your patient, then minimalist therapy will open up multiple options that you can share with your patient and encourage him/her to mobilize slowly, but effectively. Remember that all change begins with a decision, just one, but a decisive one.

Want to learn more about narrative therapy and minimalism?

If so, you're in luck; you can enroll in the "Narrative Therapy and Minimalism" course offered by PRENLU's Digital School of Psychology.where we will learn strategies and guidelines for the approach of these postmodern therapies.