title: Narrative Solutions: Using Preferred View of Self to Motivate Individual and Family Change.
abstract: This article describes refinements of the Narrative Solutions approach to individual and family therapy we first presented in Family Process 22 years ago. The centerpiece of this integrative (narrative-strategic) model is "preferred view of self," or the constellation of qualities people would like to see in themselves and have others see in them. We assume that problems generally involve one or more people mismanaging discrepancies or "gaps" between preferred views of self and either their actual behavior or how they see others seeing them and their behavior. Because clients are motivated to resolve such discrepancies, we use specifiable conversational strategies to help people (a) be clear about their preferred view of self, (b) notice gaps or discrepancies, and (c) summon resources to manage these gaps more effectively. Positive clinical effects of these strategic conversations can be rapid and dramatic. Case examples highlight applications to child and family problems, and we discuss some challenges and future directions for the Narrative Solutions approach.
authors.affiliation: Catskill Family Institute, Kingston, NY.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.affiliation: Catskill Family Institute, Kingston, NY.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eron
authors.affiliation: Catskill Family Institute, Kingston, NY.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dagirmanjian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D054541:Family Conflict; D005195:Family Relations; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D062525:Narrative Therapy; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: Effects questions; Gaps; Helpful conversations; Narrative solutions; Preferred View Questions; Preferred view; Soluciones narrativas; conversaciones útiles; diferencias; perspectiva preferida; preguntas sobre las percepciones preferidas; preguntas sobre los efectos; 叙事解决方法; 差异; 效果问题; 有效对话; 首选认知; 首选认知问题