Bachelor of Community Services: Counselling Theory Comparison Essay

This essay provides a detailed comparison and contrast of two prominent counselling theories: Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Narrative Therapy (NT). It begins by defining each approach, highlighting their origins and key principles. SFT's future-oriented, goal-directed nature, and focus on solutions rather than problems are explored, alongside NT's emphasis on separating individuals from their problems through narrative reconstruction. The essay then delves into the similarities and differences between the two therapies, examining their historical context, therapeutic techniques, and application to various mental health issues. Differences such as the length of sessions and the focus of the therapist are discussed. Similarities such as the client-centered approach and the postmodern philosophy are highlighted. The essay concludes by synthesizing the key findings, emphasizing the value of both SFT and NT in the field of psychotherapy and their potential for helping clients address a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges. The essay also mentions the application of these two approaches in family settings. The essay also includes references.

Running head: THEORIES IN COUNSELLING 1
Solution focused therapy and Narrative therapy
Scholars developed therapeutic theories to assist in healing different people.
Nevertheless, some of the therapeutic theories are relatively similar, whereas others are quite
dissimilar. Narrative therapy is useful because it helps to separate an individual from his or her
problem (Lappan, Shamoon & Blow, 2018). Solution-focused therapy is goal-directed, future-
focused, as well as concentrates on solutions, instead of the problems experienced by the clients
(Webb, 2013). The two approaches are essential as they help the patients in solving the problems
that they are facing. Solution-focused and Narrative therapists shape identities as well as social
worlds by the interview process. SFT and NT were established for treating people who suffer
from various emotional problems. This paper will compare as well as contrast solution-focused
therapy as well as narrative therapy.
SFT is a therapy that concentrates on the future with less discussion of the past or present
problem (Chang & Nylund, 2013). This model was developed in the year 1970s by Steve, Insoo,
Yvonne and Eve (Lutz, 2017). On the other hand, Narrative therapy was developed in the year
1990 by Michael White and David Epston. Some researchers also established narrative models
for schools in multicultural counseling, consultation, meditation, and counseling (Vetere &
Dowling, 2016). Solution-focused therapists were extremely focused on social justices in their
personal life (Schaefer, 2011). Conversely, Narrative therapists believe that the political,
professional, and personal ought to cover all areas of life.
SFT is considered a present-day CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) that is mainly
strength-based rather than insight-based. It educates people to concentrate on their strength in

THEORIES IN COUNSELLING 2
order for them to obtain benefits of their activities. Therapists also recognize the Client’s
strengths in order to assist the client to improve by using these strengths. SFT (Solution focus
theory) is a form of therapy that focuses more on finding solutions for the clients rather than
looking for the problem with the clients; whereas NT (Narrative therapy) focuses mainly on the
value, perception, meaning that the client gave to the problem. NT (Narrative Therapy) mainly
concentrated on social issues. Also, in Narrative therapy, people are encouraged to use their
experiences to look for solutions to the problem that they are facing. NT (Narrative therapy) uses
an approach known as social constructivist to help people apply their skill sets to solve the
problems that they are facing. The treatment is based on individuals’ personal experiences. The
purpose of the treatment in this approach is to provide a solution to the problem.
SFT (Solution focus theory) is a brief approach where the counselors approach every
session briefly. The purpose of SFT is to make patients concentrate on another course of action
rather than concentrating on the negative issue presently occurring on the patient’s life. Here, the
counselor concentrates on the client’s strengths. On the other hand, Narrative therapy is a longer
approach than the SFT approach as the counselor mainly concentrates on deeper meanings and
details given to the situation by those who are sick (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2012). The
purpose of this approach is to discover the situation as well as finding the values and belief
system of the Client. Solution focus theory works more with patients who are not infected with
any mental illness, while Narrative therapy work with people suffering from depression, mild
stress as well as adjustment issues. Lastly, Narrative therapy also concentrates on larger
discourses (cultural stories), whereas Solution-focused therapy elicits conversations about the
present issue.

THEORIES IN COUNSELLING 3
There are also some similarities between Narrative and solution-focused therapy. The
similarities between the two approaches include:
Narrative and solution-focused therapy are two theories that are extremely
complimentary in the field of psychotherapy. Both Narrative and solution focused Therapy
originated from postmodernism philosophy (Lock & Strong, 2012). The two approaches are both
client-centered. Both models are all new so many researchers lack adequate evidence-based
research or formal studies to support their findings (Knudson‐Martin, McDowell & Bermudez,
2019). The two models require each other for them to have a sustainable future. Also, the two
models operate in any cultural context.
The two theories focus on finding solutions instead of finding the problem. For example,
in SFBT, therapists are required to motivate their Clients to undertake activities that assist them
thus strengthening their solutions (Armstrong & Munro, 2018). Likewise, NT (Narrative
Therapy) involves using experiences with the intention of finding solutions that will tackle the
client problems. The two models also aim at providing a solution that can solve the problems of
the client.
The other similarity is that narrative therapy (NT) and solution focus therapy (SFT) only
establish a solution to an individual. The two approaches do not establish the behaviors of the
patients as a group.
Another similarity is that both SFT (Solution focus therapy) and NT (Narrative Therapy)
can be applied in a family setting. They can be used to treat different clients in a family to
reinforce their correlation with other families. For instance, SFT helps the clients comprehend
what she or he should do to reinforce the family links rather than breaking the ties (Roth, 2019).
The Narrative therapy also encourages the patients to dwell on the experiences thus

THEORIES IN COUNSELLING 4
strengthening the family ties. Both SFT and NT approaches work better for the clients who are
able to describe their problem verbally. The two approaches also work better on individuals who
understand the problem they are facing. Solution focus therapy is used in the treatment of
substance abuse, schizophrenia, and sexual abuse among others.
It is true that both the two approaches provide suitable methods of treating patients. They
also help in creating a good relationship between different families. Researches should,
therefore, find ways of improving the two approaches for them to tackle the problems that most
of the people are facing.
Conclusion
SFT and NT mainly understand the behavior of human being with the aim of finding
solutions that can help solve the problems they are facing. Narrative therapy mainly focuses on
gender. It also helps in solving other problems such as anxiety disorders, group therapy, child
protection concerns, school problem, intimate partner violence, trauma, young offenders, and
substance misuse. The two theories assist in solving family problems. NT and SFT are different
from the other therapeutic theories since they only focus on the solutions instead of the problems
that the Clients are facing (Murphy & Sparks, 2018). Both Narrative and solution-focused
therapy are some of the best models in the area of psychology. It is true that the two approaches
can be used by the theorists to provide treatment to patients. This is because both Narrative and
solution-focused therapy provide solutions to various problems experienced by the Clients.
References

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Armstrong, A. M., & Munro, L. (2018). Insider/Outsider: A Muslim Woman's Adventure
Practicing ‘Alongside’Narrative Therapy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family
Therapy, 39(2), 174-185.
Chang, J., & Nylund, D. (2013). Narrative and solution-focused therapies: A twenty-year
retrospective. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 32(2), 72-88.
Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2012). Family therapy: An overview. Cengage learning.
Knudson‐Martin, C., McDowell, T., & Bermudez, J. M. (2019). From knowing to doing:
Guidelines for socioculturally attuned family therapy. Journal of marital and family
therapy, 45(1), 47-60.
Lappan, S., Shamoon, Z., & Blow, A. (2018). The importance of adoption of formal client
feedback in therapy: a narrative review. Journal of Family Therapy, 40(4), 466-488.
Lock, A., & Strong, T. (Eds.). (2012). Discursive perspectives in therapeutic practice. Oxford
University Press.
Lutz, A. B. (2017). Solution-Focused Therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Child &
Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(10), S24.
Murphy, J. J., & Sparks, J. A. (2018). Strengths-based Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge.

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Roth, S. (2019). Heal the world. A solution-focused systems therapy approach to environmental
problems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 216, 504-510.
Schaefer, C. E. (Ed.). (2011). Foundations of play therapy. John Wiley & Sons.
Vetere, A., & Dowling, E. (Eds.). (2016). Narrative therapies with children and their families: A
practitioner's guide to concepts and approaches. Taylor & Francis.
Webb, W. (2013). Solutioning.: Solution-Focused Intervention for Counselors. Taylor & Francis.