Collaborative Dialogic Practices
Collaborative dialogic practices is a non-formulaic approach to being present in the therapy room. A Collaborative Dialogic practitioner takes a non-expert role, meaning that they are not the expert in the client’s life, although they assume the position of expert at conversation, questions, and dialogue (Anderson, 2005).
What Are Collaborative Dialogic Practices
Collaborative dialogic practices uses dialogical thinking, rather than monological thinking (our own thoughts and assumptions to ourselves), which allows the practitioners to be public. However, they are not self-disclosing, but they are not keeping their thoughts a secret from the client (Anderson 2007, 2012b; Anderson & Gehart, 2007).
Collaborative dialogic practices believes change is created by conversations, not by a focus on behavior, similar to systems theory. The process of change in collaborative dialogic practices happens through a change in the meaning of the client’s story (Anderson 2007, 2012a; Anderson & Gehart, 2007). There is a big emphasis on partnership in this setting and within this partnership, the therapist and client are working together to create new meanings and a different understanding of the stories shared. In order to create a new understanding, collaborative dialogic practitioners use a stance of withness (talking with the client) as opposed to aboutness (talking about the client) (Hoffman, 2007).
How Do Collaborative Dialogic Practices Use Language?
Through the use of language, collaborative dialogic practitioners can explore undiscovered narratives with their clients. This non-interventionist approach encourages the use of genuine curiosity, which ultimately allow clients to have a new view of themselves. The collaborative dialogic practitioner facilitates this conversation by adapting to the client’s language and not assuming the intent of the client’s message (Anderson, 1990; Anderson & Goolishian, 1992; Anderson & Levin, 1998).
Through respectful listening, the therapist ensures the intended message is verified with the client. This allows the therapeutic conversation to examine multiple realities about the problems, while also asking several questions to ensure new information is interpreted correctly (Anderson 2007, 2012b; Anderson & Gehart, 2007). There is an emphasis on the importance of language, and the implications it holds in relation to the work with clients. Undiscovered narratives and stories will emerge, which encourages and allows clients to have a new view of themselves.
As a non-intervention approach, the therapist relies on curiosity, to inquire about new experiences, even when it may be difficult to hear (Levin, 1992). Adapting the client’s language, the way they describe events, and not assuming are all skills the therapist relies upon to create conversation. Respectful listening, a nonjudgmental attitude, and not assuming an understanding are key when having collaborative therapeutic conversations (Anderson, 2005). The therapeutic conversation will facilitate multiple realities about the problem and ask several questions for a complete understanding of new information, meaning and interpretation (Anderson 2007, 2012a; Anderson & Gehart, 2007) .
By co-constructing a new meaning of the story shared, this therapeutic modality follows the foundation of social constructionism. Social constructionism believes that meaning is created in relation to others (Gergen, 2001a). Through the use of social constructionism, the therapist is able to see the client as they want to be seen and allows the therapist to see the client’s view of the world. By seeing the client’s view of their world, the collaborative practitioner is invited to experience the client’s truth. Since collaborative dialogic practitioners do not believe there is one set truth or reality, the collaborative therapist is able to honor and respect the truth of the client as they view their world (Anderson, 1997; Gergen, 2001a).
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References
Anderson, H. (2007)
The Art of Collaborative Therapy: Working Together in Conversations
This work focuses on the principles of collaborative therapy and emphasizes the importance of co-creating conversations between therapists and clients.
Anderson, H. (2012a)
Conversation, Language, and Possibilities: A Postmodern Approach to Therapy
In this book, Anderson explores the role of language and dialogue in shaping therapeutic conversations, offering a postmodern framework for understanding therapy as a co-constructed process.
Anderson, H., & Gehart, D. R. (2007)
Collaborative Therapy: Relationships and Conversations that Make a Difference
This text outlines the core concepts of collaborative therapy, including the dialogic process and the co-construction of meaning between therapists and clients.