I think that the non-labeling approach of Narrative Therapy can prove to be succesful. I agree with the point that you made regarding disclosure of diagnosis. In specific cases the safety of the client and the public may benefit from a label. I do think that for many individuals labels can serve as a form of an excuse. For years I owned the OCD/Anxiety disorder label that I have been diagnosed with numerous times. I now try my best to recognize that I am an individual first and have other labels that are more important: woman, mother,etc. Owning any label can lead to the individual losing their sense of self and thus super imoposing a label that defines who he or she is .
I agree that labeling should be avoided because it affects a person's self-image. Labeling can accentuate the mental illness and create a stereotype that may not be accurate.
I also think Prof. Henry is absolutely right that the past provides insight into what is happening now, but should not be dwelled on. The focus should be on the here and now.
My view of the narrative therapy-- I especially like the role of stories in the therapeutic process (p.398 Counseling book). It really makes a lot of sense that we can see the stories of our lives from a different perspective; we can deconstruct, challenge and separate ourselves from the problem, and then we can reconstruct the narrative to a preferred story line. We can re-author and enhance our lives by choosing to live another story and have better outcomes. How wonderful! This can open alternative possibilities for living.
I do not think labeling is a positive way of any sucessful therapy.Some people who are labeled have no confidence in themselves or some take advantage of the labeling system and get whatever they can from it. Discuss the situation with the client, who has no confidence, for them to be aware that there is a way to guide them through the process of reaching a positive goal. For those that take advantage, try to educate them to reach their goals also in a positive way.
Nope. Orange is the favorite color of "queenbarbosa," who brings a flurry of the color to our class every Saturday. But the halloween symbolism suggested by Dawn is quite intriguing. Perhaps that was my subconscious intent. Hmmmmm. Halloween issues...
I have mixed feeling about it, on one hand i think people should know about their diagnosis and on the other i think it may not be the best idea. A few weeks back i had a discussion with the Professor regarding an unhealthy habit i have and some behaivors that my son displays. Now my sons behaviors dont really bother me but they seem a bit extreme and abnormal for his age. My habit on the other hand i am very clear needs some attention. The professor sugested that either both me and my son may have ocd or that i am displaying certain behaviors infront of him and he is developing anxiety due to my anxiety. Now he gave me a number to a psycologist who can officailly diagnose me and my son but i am unable to call for some reason. Although i was always curious as to why i did some of the things i do part of me is afraid of the label.
I to have mixed emtions about labeling. Check this out: every night before I go to bed, I have a routine that I follow. I check the house door at least 3 times to ensure it is locked. As part of this, I unlock it, open it, shut it back, and lock it & check it again. If I forget to do it, am so tired I pass out before doing, or whatever; I actually will get up most times in the middle of the night and either check it or go through the routine. Labor Day, someone (one of my neighbors the police believe) broke into my apartment through the ac vent. They had tried the door several time before. But b/c I kept it chained and locked all the time, they could not get in that way. I am afraid to tell too many people about this b/c some already label me jokingly as OCD b/c of my other little qwirky habits. The property management has since moved me & my son to a different more secure unit on the side of the complex 3-4 bulidings away. I don't know if I am OCD or not; but labeling it seems to validate it and make it real. Labeling it seems it will make me become it. Mixed emotions, I tell ya! Mixed emotions!
Well, I think I like the narrative therapy approach (as far as what I know of it) b/c storytelling reveals meaning w/o committing error of defining it (Arendt,2007). Familt stories provide a strong contextual framework and connections to the past. As I hear my Daddy tell family stories, I feel connected with the Mother I never really knew. I gain context as to why she felt she had to give birth to me and leave me in the hospital nursery, never to nuture or raise me as her own.
9 comments:
I think that the non-labeling approach of Narrative Therapy can prove to be succesful. I agree with the point that you made regarding disclosure of diagnosis. In specific cases the safety of the client and the public may benefit from a label. I do think that for many individuals labels can serve as a form of an excuse. For years I owned the OCD/Anxiety disorder label that I have been diagnosed with numerous times. I now try my best to recognize that I am an individual first and have other labels that are more important: woman, mother,etc.
Owning any label can lead to the individual losing their sense of self and thus super imoposing a label that defines who he or she is .
I agree that labeling should be avoided because it affects a person's self-image. Labeling can accentuate the mental illness and create a stereotype that may not be accurate.
I also think Prof. Henry is absolutely right that the past provides insight into what is happening now, but should not be dwelled on. The focus should be on the here and now.
My view of the narrative therapy-- I especially like the role of stories in the therapeutic process (p.398 Counseling book). It really makes a lot of sense that we can see the stories of our lives from a different perspective; we can deconstruct, challenge and separate ourselves from the problem, and then we can reconstruct the narrative to a preferred story line. We can re-author and enhance our lives by choosing to live another story and have better outcomes. How wonderful! This can open alternative possibilities for living.
Great comments from both of you. And has anyone noticed my liberal use of the color orange???
Orange the color of Fall!!!
I do not think labeling is a positive way of any sucessful therapy.Some people who are labeled have no confidence in themselves or some take advantage of the labeling system and get whatever they can from it. Discuss the situation with the client, who has no confidence, for them to be aware that there is a way to guide them through the process of reaching a positive goal. For those that take advantage, try to educate them to reach their goals also in a positive way.
Yes I noticed the orange. Our posts are black. Hmmmmm....orange and black....HALLOWEEN!
Nope. Orange is the favorite color of "queenbarbosa," who brings a flurry of the color to our class every Saturday. But the halloween symbolism suggested by Dawn is quite intriguing. Perhaps that was my subconscious intent. Hmmmmm. Halloween issues...
I have mixed feeling about it, on one hand i think people should know about their diagnosis and on the other i think it may not be the best idea. A few weeks back i had a discussion with the Professor regarding an unhealthy habit i have and some behaivors that my son displays. Now my sons behaviors dont really bother me but they seem a bit extreme and abnormal for his age. My habit on the other hand i am very clear needs some attention. The professor sugested that either both me and my son may have ocd or that i am displaying certain behaviors infront of him and he is developing anxiety due to my anxiety. Now he gave me a number to a psycologist who can officailly diagnose me and my son but i am unable to call for some reason. Although i was always curious as to why i did some of the things i do part of me is afraid of the label.
I to have mixed emtions about labeling. Check this out: every night before I go to bed, I have a routine that I follow. I check the house door at least 3 times to ensure it is locked. As part of this, I unlock it, open it, shut it back, and lock it & check it again. If I forget to do it, am so tired I pass out before doing, or whatever; I actually will get up most times in the middle of the night and either check it or go through the routine. Labor Day, someone (one of my neighbors the police believe) broke into my apartment through the ac vent. They had tried the door several time before. But b/c I kept it chained and locked all the time, they could not get in that way. I am afraid to tell too many people about this b/c some already label me jokingly as OCD b/c of my other little qwirky habits. The property management has since moved me & my son to a different more secure unit on the side of the complex 3-4 bulidings away. I don't know if I am OCD or not; but labeling it seems to validate it and make it real. Labeling it seems it will make me become it. Mixed emotions, I tell ya! Mixed emotions!
Well, I think I like the narrative therapy approach (as far as what I know of it) b/c storytelling reveals meaning w/o committing error of defining it (Arendt,2007). Familt stories provide a strong contextual framework and connections to the past. As I hear my Daddy tell family stories, I feel connected with the Mother I never really knew. I gain context as to why she felt she had to give birth to me and leave me in the hospital nursery, never to nuture or raise me as her own.
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