Narrative Therapy: A Philosophical Perspective

Narrative Therapy as developed by Michael White and David Epston is rooted in social construction, a branch of postmodern philosophy (Becvar & Becvar, 2009; Nichols, 2010). Social construction is the belief that realities are socially constructed and that there are no essential truths. In other words, reality evolved through social interactions over the course of time (Freeman & Combs, 1996). White and Epston model of therapy reflects a liberation philosophical perspective consistent with Gregory Bateson’s idea of second-order cybernetics (Becvar & Becvar, 2009). Second-order cybernetics or cybernetics of cybernetics is the idea that the therapist is not an independent observer who is above the family but a person who becomes a member of the family system while attempting to change the system. Second order cybernetics is where the therapist returns the power to the family and work with them to come up with mutually agreed goals (Freeman & Combs, 1996; Nichols, 2010). We will discuss in this post the philosophical perspectives and the keys figures that influence the development of narrative therapy. 

Historical foundation of Narrative Therapy

White and Epston were influenced by Michel Foucault, Erving Goffman, and Gregory Bateson (Freeman & Combs, 1996; Nichols, 2010). The influence of these key individuals are evident in narrative therapy. 

Michel Foucault was a French historian and philosopher who critiqued the structure of power and knowledge. He challenged the social and political institutions of knowledge in western societies. He argued that individuals were objectified and subjugated by western institutions when some people’s experiences are validated and others were invalidated, based on what was viewed as “normal” by experts (Becvar & Becvar, 2009; Nichols, 2010).

Erving Goffman was a Canadian born Sociologist who was considered the most influential sociologist in the twentieth century. He is best known for his work on symbolic interaction, which is referred to as his dramaturgical approach. He like Foucault criticized the dehumanizing impact of institutions on individuals (Nichols, 2010). This criticism is referred to as poststructuralism.

Similarly, Gregory Bateson’s ideas influenced the founders of narrative therapy. He was an anthropologist and a leading member of the Palo Alto team. Bateson was interested in communication systems or what is called cybernetics (Nichols, 2010). His idea of restraints, difference and double description influenced the founders of the narrative model. Bateson argued that people were restrained from taking other courses of action and as a result, they follow the prescribed course of action set out for them. These ideas led White to the notion of externalizing conversations (Madigan, 2011).

Integration of  the philosophical perspectives

The ideas of restraints and poststructuralism were combined to produce the idea that the stories people embrace and tell about their lives and relationships are exclusively developed in the context of certain prevailing ideologies. This idea led to the uncovering of the therapeutic technique of externalizing of problems (Madigan, 2011).  The Narrative model developed by White and Epson is rooted in the philosophical perspectives of Michael Foucault, Erving Goffman, and Gregory Bateson.