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Structural Therapy vs. Narrative Therapy
Structural therapy is carried out by a therapist who intervenes actively and trains the patient
and family members to relate differently. It gives clear directions and homework that encourage
transformation via face-to-face interpersonal contact. Both approaches are flexible. In contrast to
structural therapy, which is therapist-directed transformation, narrative therapy is client-directed.
Both of these approaches vary in the therapist's involvement. As clients embark on their path of
self-discovery, narrative therapists serve as guides, offering encouragement and empathy. In a
supportive and empowering manner, the therapist travels with the patient on their journey. On the
other hand, structural therapists play the role of the conductor. The therapist instructs players to
play by their preferences with the score at hand. These choices are founded on knowledge and
experience of what functions appropriately and how the finished item should sound. Even though
one is directive and the other collaborative, each therapeutic function offers the potential for
transformation (Cherry, 2021).
New Knowledge Acquired
The first thing that comes to mind while gathering the information for this paper is that I
have been applying some techniques from Narrative therapy and Structural in my personal life
and with friends. The first one is Existentialism. I was unfamiliar with the term, but it resonated
with me. According to existentialist theory, it is our obligation and freedom to make our own
moral decisions; relying on authorities or other people is unauthentic and detrimental to our
ability to grow as individuals. Existentialists believe that finding purpose, standing up for our
principles, and making life-changing choices all need us to search inside (Vallejos, 2016). I am a
profound thinker and have always tried to find meaning and purpose in life; I always ask why
this is or that. We are condemned to be free, as Jean-Paul Sartre once said. Jean-Paul is a
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prominent character in 20th-century French philosophy and Marxism; he is a crucial figure in the
philosophy of existentialism, a French dramatist, novelist, screenwriter, political activist,
biographer, and literary critic. Additionally, he says, “You might think that there is some
authority you could look to for answers, but all of the authorities you can think of are fake. Those
authorities are just people like you, people who do not have any answers, people who had to
figure out for themselves how to live.” (Ackerman, 2022). I strongly support this philosophy and
live by it.
Instead of merely knocking down the existing patterns, structural family therapists work with
families to create new ones. This is accomplished by using the Enactment Approach to let the
family experience various ways of interaction during treatment sessions (rather than just talking
about them). The structural family therapist takes on the role of a play's director when the family
members converse, withdrawing themself from the conversation by reclining back, adjusting the
chair in which the therapist is sitting is sitting, or taking some other posture. The therapist's job is
to support the family so they do not need assistance (Colapinto, 2019). I like that the counselor is
essentially a "mirror" of their issue or experience, the reason they sought help in the first place.
Part II
Personal Integration
I grew up in a multicultural home but in a predominantly Orthodox Christian Country. Mainly
we have been celebrating Christian holidays and going to Church for Easter. I love the service
they have, it is a wonderful time of the year, and we get to see many of our neighbors back home.
When I moved here to the states, I found a few Orthodox Churches that I go to on Easter.
Understanding spirituality requires a focus on meaning. A person's search for meaning, which
"may or may not incorporate the notion of a personal God," 6 The need to "have a relationship
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with something outside of and larger than ourselves" is urged by the fact that "what we believe
about why things happen, and why they happen in the larger scheme of things is the essence of
our spirituality." Spirituality has a transcendent dimension even without an articulated God
concept. Androutsopoulou (2013)
In terms of storytelling, the issue is the sustainability of metanarratives, the epic tales of
which each life story is a part. Do these tales have the capacity to arouse moral passion or
provide a sense of spiritual purpose for life? Even among those who seemed devout, sociologist
Douglas Porpora uncovered a severe spiritual detachment via interviews with people of various
theological backgrounds. He supports our intuitive understanding that one might "believe"
something without being spiritually affected by it:
Metanarratives are still feasible, but we are no longer looking for them. If metanarratives are
fundamentally cosmic, then our emotional distance from them—our distance from the core issue
of life's meaning—is another evidence of cosmic alienation, even among religious people
(Porpora, 2011). Some academic manifestations of the postmodern mood foster this
metanarrative detachment. The postmodernism that narrative therapists often promote opposes
metanarratives as a language expression of a dominant group's ambition for power. Clients are
seen as having oppressive, life-restricting tales imposed upon them from outside, which have
been passed down via family or society. Alternative meanings that more accurately represent
client preferences are to be used in place of meta-narratives (Lee, 2018).
Part III
1. Marriage Mindset:
It came out that I have a RELUCTANT MINDSET.Compared to most, you are cynical
about marriage. You are more than twice as likely as others to
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say: "You give up identity by getting married." Moreover, you are three times more likely to say,
"marriage is simply a piece of paper." When people in this category marry, their eyes are focused
on the wedding day and not much on what is going to happen in the 50 years that follow”. They
advise me to do soul-searching with your SYMBIS Facilitator as I consider marriage. I was not
expecting this result; I am out of words. I was sincere. I wonder if that is because I had too many
unsuccessful relationships and lost hope of finding the right one, I doubt everything. I am not
even focused on the wedding day; I do not care for a big and glamorous wedding; I can do
without, as long as I am with my person. The results show something else; I do not know how
accurate that is. I do not think you have to give up your identity; in fact, I think we need to have
our identity firm, and we will need it the most when we are married because we have to raise
kids and teach them morals and show them what you have learned in your journey called- Life.
2. Five Issues in Real Relationships:
Love – I like that with my Phantom boyfriend; we both have a similar opinion on how we
define love. That is correct, and it is really how I feel about love.
Attitude – The results stated that maintaining resilience can be challenging. I occasionally
struggle to maintain an upbeat attitude when faced with unforeseen difficulties. Worry
can sometimes get the best of me and my attitude. Yes, I agree with that. I noticed that in
myself too. When a threat is approaching, I feel fear, but once I notice that, I start to
quickly get my act together and think of the best solution to the problem.
Communication - The results stated that I am typically quiet, keeping many of my
feelings carefully hidden. I do not need to tell drawn-out and dramatic stories, nor am I
compelled to rush a conversation to its point. I will not divulge details unless I am asked
about them. That was the old “Me”- years ago. The new “Me” is now very quick to
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address any concerns. I will not let myself suffer the unknown and make false
assumptions.
Gender Differences As my husband Phantom would like to have more shared
activities- which I would love to do together, I am just now used to doing things on my
own, but I would love to share them with my special one. I did not know Husbands place
surprising importance on having their wives as recreational companions. That is my mom
and dad- especially dad- he cannot do anything without my mom. Also, I agree with the
statement, “Maya will be more passionate and intimate with you when she feels
cherished.”
Conflict The results stated that most of my actions are carefully thought out
beforehand. I lean toward being traditional rather than innovative or creative. I need the
understanding and support of my spouse and others when making high-risk decisions. I
need time to adjust to new ideas and activities. I must think things over before becoming
committed and acting on new ideas. I agree with everything here, I care about my
family’s opinion and my future husband, and I tend to be very logical in my approach to
things.
3. Walking Together with God:
The results showed that I am Dreaming big to accomplish an excellent project for God. I am
energized by a mission that allows me to be part of something that will bring others to a deeper
relationship with God. The only correction here would be – I would be energized by a mission
that allows me to be part of something that will bring others closer to themselves and understand
themselves. My connection with God gets stronger and stronger over time.
4. Theory and Spiritual Integration:
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Given that narrative family therapy is successful with couples, the SYMBIS is a useful
integrative tool that may be correlated with it. The SYMBIS provides a series of questions that
enable the couple to contrast how their parents handled certain situations with how they picture
themselves handling similar situations. The SYMBIS aids in bringing to light specific family
structures that the couple chooses to work through to write their tales for leading a healthy and
happy existence.
Conclusion
A crucial strategy is a narrative therapy. Sessions for individual, group, and family therapy
may all be productive. For the majority of people, it may be considered a secure location. Every
family member is free to behave organically and learn from their past interactions thanks to
Narrative Theory, free from criticism from other family members. Through the course of NT,
clients may gain control over their experiences, giving them the strength and knowledge they had
previously been unable to get. I have changed and grown more due to this study report and its
three components. Personal integration, spirituality, and theory contend that the three may
coexist, particularly when family members recommend it to create more compelling narratives. I
felt it was appropriate to comment on how the SYMBIS was effectively incorporated into the
other study components. What I have been given is a tool that I can utilize effectively in my
profession as a family therapist.
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