COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY AND NARRATIVE THERAPY:
RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS VS. CONSTRUCTION OF NARRATIVES
In recent years, both solution-focused and narrative therapies have been used extensively to help diverse populations address their psychological problems (Stalker, Levene, & Coady, 1999; Vodde & Gallant, 2002). Unlike traditional approaches that classify patients into objective and pre-determined categories, these two therapies acknowledge the uniqueness of the predicaments of the patients and address their situation at an individual level (Lee, 2003; Arciero & Guidano, 2000). Even more significantly, they shift away from the privileged position of therapists in order to forge a collaborative relationship with their patients (Lee, 2003; Freedman & Combs, 1996). Moreover, both types of therapies utilize exceptional moments or unique outcomes in their clients' lives as openings for re-orienting their clients' perspectives and moving away from their problem-focused points of view or narratives. However, there are clearly significant differences in their approaches. Solution-focused therapists tend to adopt a highly pragmatic and goal-oriented approach. In contrast, narrative therapists encourage clients to create preferred narratives that are not only detailed and action-oriented, but also rich and meaningful (Miller & de Shazer, 1998; Freedman & Combs, 1996).
This paper will be divided into several sections in order to elaborate on the comparison of these two therapeutic approaches. First, the origins and the originators of the two therapies will be presented separately. Second, the similarities between solution-focused and narrative therapies will be discussed. Third, the differences between these two therapeutic approaches will be explored extensively under the three categories: a) Exceptions vs. Sparkling Moments; b) Types of Questions Asked; and c) Conception of Client in Therapist-Cli...