| Abstract: | Reviews the book, Narrative solutions in brief therapy by Joseph B. Eron and Thomas W. Lund (see record 1996-98412-000). The narrative solutions approach developed in this volume is an attempt to integrate several existing psychotherapies. Most fundamentally, however, this new approach is a variant of brief interactional therapy, which was developed at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, CA, beginning in the 1960s. The MRI approach posited that (1) a client's problems originated "from the mishandling of ordinary life difficulties" (p. 18), (2) "The well-intentioned attempts of family members to solve problems actually maintained problems" (p. 18), and (3) "Problems were resolved simply by interrupting problem-maintaining behaviors and getting people back on course" (p. 19). Eron and Lund agree with each of these tenets, but they contend that MRI therapists focused too narrowly on the client's overt behaviors. Though the authors maintain that it is important to deal with the client's actions, they do so within the context of the narrative meaning that the client ascribes to these actions. The authors' primary intent in this book is to answer the question, "What are the key ingredients of a helpful [therapeutic] conversation?" (p. 265). By presenting a coherent framework that they consistently apply to a variety of clinical cases, they provide a compelling answer about how therapists can more effectively talk with their clients. For therapists interested in learning about a solution-focused therapy that emphasizes the client's concrete actions as well as the meanings behind these actions, this book will serve as a useful guide. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
