The antisystematic impact of postmodern philosophy

Journal/Book: Clin Psychol Sci Practice. 1998; 5: Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513. Oxford Univ Press Inc. 264-273.

Abstract: The postmodern turn in psychotherapy has fastened on the value for therapy of postmodernism's antirealist/constructivist philosophy-that knowers make rather than discover reality, and therefore all knowledge is inescapably relative or subjective. In this article I argue that therapists have seized on postmodern antirealism in an attempt to individualize practice, but that antirealism is irrelevant to that goal. To individualize therapy, therapists need a clearer understanding of the structure of the theoretical systems they use to guide their practice. In particular, so-called postmodern therapy systems are structured to enhance the individualization of practice, but at the expense of achieving a systematic practice. Moreover, postmodernism has other consequences for therapy that should be considered and empirically assessed before it is declared the solution to psychotherapy's recalcitrant problems.

Note: Article Held BS, Bowdoin Coll, Dept Psychol, Brunswick,ME 04011 USA

Keyword(s): postmodern philosophy; antirealist epistemology; constructivist epistemology; individualized therapy; systematic therapy; SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONIST; THERAPY; PSYCHOTHERAPIES; DISCOURSES

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