Counseling Theory: Postmodern Approaches
Counseling orientation has experienced paradigm shifts over the decades from traditional pioneering theories such as cognitive theory, psychoanalysis, and humanism to the postmodernist theory. The rationale for the progression to postmodernism has been the evolving notion of a multiplicity of reality, a shift from modernist empiricism to constructivism (Shurts, 2015). The traditional counseling theorist considered counseling as a true mapping of the psychic phenomena depicting an accurate depiction of human psychological processes (Hansen, 2015). Contrasting with the modernistic approach that assumes a knowable reality, postmodernism assumes that observers create realities. Hansen (2015) notes postmodernism is grounded on the premise of anti-essentialism where observers always infuse phenomena with meaning as opposed to the true knowledge of phenomena being revealed by through objective observation. Postmodern therapy is anchored on the principle of collaborative and consultative stance between the patient and therapist as opposed to the unidirectional and authoritative stance

According to Shurts (2015), postmodern theorist anchor the assertion to constructivism, which is the process which people develop knowledge about reality, hence creating their own reality. The premise of postmodern therapy is common beliefs deconstruction and evaluation of common beliefs value to individual life. Within the postmodern context, the counselor ensures a constructive task that cultivates a sense of equality between the patient and the counselor in the process of constructing meaning (Hansen, 2015). Postmodernism detours from the traditional therapy approach where the role of the counselor is enlightening the client with the client are playing a passive role pin meaning construction. The approach entails collective efforts my multiple founders such as Insoo Kim Berg Steve de Shazer who were the pioneers of the solution-focused brief therapy, and Michael White and David Epston who is the co-founder of Narrative therapy (Hansen, 2015; Sapp, 2016). The theorist premised their argument on multiple truths and realities socially constructed through human interaction.

Postmodernism is premised on the assumption of inexistence of universal truth and reality, implying that the existence of infinite truths and realities (Shurts, 2015). The postmodernist posit that the constantly evolving realities and truths no individual’s perspective is less truthful than the other is since they are shaped by different social constructs. The assumption that people can create own solutions is another foundation of postmodernist therapy. Essentially the client is an expert of their life; hence, the therapist ought to cultivate an opportunity for the client to passively construct a solution. Hence, the collaborative partnership is the best therapy. The theory further assumes that...…relationship.

The brevity of the postmodern therapy approach is expedient with the limitations imposed traditional approach that perceives people as abstract, predictive, and free of social context (Shurts, 2015). By moving away from the autonomous approach and integrating the cultural and economic forces, postmodernism offers the opportunity for diversity in constructing solutions. The approach major contribution to psychotherapy has been an emphasis on the personal domain, which is person-centric therapy. Hansen (2015) asserts that given the constantly changing in therapeutic experiences, the flexibility and open-mindedness anchored in the postmodern approach benefit the therapist. The approach prominence on client competence, strengths, as opposed to problems and limitations enable positive perception and creation of lasting solutions by the clients. The approach deviates from blaming the client for the problems and focuses on enabling understanding of problems, an approach that is effective in changing the client's perception about themselves. Notwithstanding, limited empirical evidence to validate the effectiveness of postmodern therapy approach remains a challenge (Rayner & Vitali, 2014). The assessment approach adopted by postmodern therapists has been critiqued as endorsing an overly positive perspective devoid of sound rationale. Caputo, et al (2015) faults postmodernism therapy for going against the evidence-based practice by rejecting empiricism by the modernist therapy.

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