Question

In what ways do you see the postmodern approaches as having some different assumptions about clients and about counseling than most of the previous therapy approaches you have studied? What are some different key concepts?

Answer 1

The older approach to therapy and understanding of therapy was that the therapist was believed to be the expert, and the therapist was responsible for conducting the sessions, setting the goals of the therapy. Whereas, the postmodern approach of therapy is more of a conversation between the therapist and client, and the client takes an active role in the therapy. Here, the therapist is no longer believed to be the agent of change, instead it is a collaborative effort which brings success.

The modern view was that the symptoms of the individual should be recognised and treated, but in the post modern view the emphasis is given on the understanding the clients instead of judging and categorising them. The modern view of people and world as systems and machines is different in the postmodern view, where human beings are looked in a more positive light where they take active part in their lives in the post modern view.

Solution focused therapy focuses on the solution of the problems rather than the old approach where the causes were given more importance. Also, the solution focused approach gives more importance to the client, and make the client responsible for coming up with the solutions. The narrative approach also focuses on the present and the future than dwelling in the past and believes that human behaviour is influenced by the society and experiences of everyday.