Collaboration & Accountability
Amanda Worrall is a mental health nurse in the Northern Territory (Australia). This presentation tells the story of how June and Amanda found ways to use externalising conversations to name and speak about social paranoia (SP). It also describes the ways in which these conversations enabled June to reclaim her life from the effects of paranoia. This presentation was filmed at Dulwich Centre at the International Spring Festival of Narrative Practice that took place from September 21-23, 2011.
Narrative therapy and community work practices engage what has come to be called a ‘Decentred and Influential’ position from which we can work with people. In this extract, Michael White describes this therapeutic posture.
Michael White Workshop Notes
The Four Quadrants| De-Centered | Centered | |
|---|---|---|
| Influential | De-centered and influential (potentially invigorating of a therapist) | Centered and influential (potentially burdening of therapist) |
| Non-influential | De-centered and non-influential (potentially invalidating of therapist) | Centered and non-influential (potentially exhausting of therapist) |
In this paper by Sue Mann we examine ways of documenting that draw on collaborative practices, with particular reference to writing medical records.
‘Collaborative representation: Narrative ideas in practice’ | Sue Mann
The Just Therapy Team, from The Family Centre, Wellington, New Zealand, consists of Warihi Campbell, Kiwi Tamasese, Flora Tuhaka and Charles Waldegrave. Their highly respected work, which involves a strong commitment to addressing issues of culture, gender and socio-economic disadvantage, has come to be known as Just Therapy. These practitioners and their work significantly influenced narrative therapy and community work responses to accountability.
This presentation by Tileah Drahm-Butler aims to bring forth conversation on the ways that narrative therapy can be used as a decolonising practice, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and skill in resistance is honoured and talked about in a therapy setting.Tileah is a Social Worker in a hospital setting, currently working in Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units. She completed the Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work in 2014 and is passionate about finding ways to describe Narrative Therapy practices in ways that are culturally resonant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Furthermore, in the work that Tileah does, she continues to learn alongside the people who she meets to create and re-create narrative practices that are culturally resonate, and that are shaped by cultural and spiritual practices.
To view video, please click link below Decolonising Identity Stories | Tileah Drahm-Butler
For Reflection
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible? What might make it hard to enter into these practices? If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
Please now join with others in reflecting on these questions and other wonderings below! Please include where you are writing from (City and Country). Thanks!
rob
August 15, 2022In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I have entered into collaborations when helping groups and individuals to process their histories and allowing them to set the agenda. Effective collaborations become more likely when the person helping and the person or group being helped tackle a problem together, rather than the professional positioning themselves, or being positioned by others, as the ‘expert’ in the situation. This is described as the therapist taking a de-centred position, where the person being helped, their stories, skills and knowledge are central to the conversations, and they are considered the expert in their own lives. The professional can then team with them, or collaborate, in confronting the problem.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
If the person being helped is very dependent on others to fix the problem, or the person helping tends to dominate the discussion and try to provide answers, it can be hard to enter into these practices. There needs to be clarity about the role of each person, and intentional positioning in these roles.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I think to be conscious of patiently listening to the stories of others and seeing myself as assisting them to come up with the answers they desire by recognising and drawing on their own resources, as opposed to seeing myself as having to provide all the answers. I can be wholeheartedly engaged, but the focus is on the person being helped being the primary author of the process and outcome.
Jessica Brewer
July 6, 2022In my opinion, a therapy session is only effective when there is collaboration. In regards to the client’s personal stories, they have a “primary authorship” status, and the knowledges and skills that have been generated in the history of their lives are the principal considerations. I learned through this lesson that as the therapist not to impose an agenda, but to be influential in the sense of building a relationship through questions and reflections.
Jessica
Manteno, IL
Barb Gartley
June 28, 2022In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Client centeredness and the richness of collaboration have always underpinned my practice. The client being the “expert of their story” and thus is supported by me creating a safe space for that story to be shared with acceptance, no judgment and respect”
The support of the organizational structures and frameworks for stories to be shared and others invited and included , eg: family and external ; witnesses and experts to add to the rich tapestry of that story, the recording of that story with the clients permission .sometimes clients are invited to write a letter to themselves , eg; What I would tell my 18 year old self”
Riverland South Australia
Richness of Collaboration
mmccollum@callutheran.edu
June 22, 2022I feel very fortunate that the academic program I am in and the clinic that I work in value collaboration. We are often encouraged to seek out colleagues who may be able to help us have a clearer perspective on the strengths and challenges of our clients, as well as the social contexts which may be informing their world view and understanding of themselves. I really love the idea of inviting colleagues to participate in outsider witness exercises with clients who are open to that work, as I feel it can provide learning opportunities for all of the clinicians involved and can be extremely validating to the client. I also feel that my role is to work with my clients and to support them as they find their path through the therapeutic work they are seeking to do, which I feel lends itself very naturally and organically to collaboration with the client. It may be harder in certain professional contexts, particularly here in the United States, to maintain the level of collaboration with both clients and with colleagues, especially for those of us who work with rigidly controlled, insurance based practices, but I do feel that there is always a way to find space for these practices, even in time limited ways. I look forward to continuing to find ways to build therapeutic partnerships in my work.
Marisa
June 16, 2022In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
At a basic level simply asking someone ‘what would you like to do? what would you like to talk about?’ and offering choices on how they would like to proceed and re-iterating throughout the conversation that they hold the power to stop or pause the conversation and/or talk about something else if they wanted to at any time – is an attempt at collaboration and being decentred and yet influential. To me (at least) – genuine collaboration isn’t possible if I am ‘taking charge,’ ‘being directive’ or holding myself up to the other person as the authority and/or expert.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
Speaking from experience as a social worker – so many things. The contexts in which we often work – which are results, stats and funding driven and are focussed only about outcomes for that measurable statistically for us and our clients can be a real barrier to collaboration. What is also a barrier is our own ‘blind-spots’ when it comes to being aware of the fact that we work within such contexts and then instead being mindful to take the time and make the effort for true collaboration. This is where Sue Mann’s article and stories are so valuable – inviting ‘clients’ to co-author case notes is a concrete example of achieving this that I would have never thought about myself.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
Attempt to bring mindfulness to interactions I am having with clients all the time and look for opportunities for collaboration – as Sue Mann’s example illustrated even just asking the question ‘how would you like me to write this note? how can we write this note together to ensure it reflects what we spoke about and what you would like it to say?’ is a way of attempting to do this at a basic level perhaps.
Marisa – Naarm/Melbourne, AUS
danielle.huntington
May 5, 2022Danielle Huntington – United States, Vermont
Working in the addiction field, I have found that I am always working in collaboration with others. In order to be an effective therapist for individuals who struggle with addiction and who are incarcerated, it is important to work with case managers, mental health staff, and community resources in order to ensure that the client is being set up to be successful upon reentry to the community.
I have also found that it is imperative to work in partnership with others to provide peer support and receive peer support. Being open to receiving constructive feedback from others allows for personal and professional growth.
Caroline
May 3, 2022Collaboration and Association: At this stage I am working on my own, so collaboration with a client means offering choices and letting them choose the direction, leaving space to pause for self-reflection, enabling them to be the expert in their life. It’s about taking time to build trust and looking beyond the symptoms to see what social structures may also be playing a part. I appreciated Sue Mann’s way of including the client in the notetaking, making their story part of the clinical notes. I aim to give my clients a narrative document from each session. I’m thinking about how I can add in a few questions to thicken the preferred story and take this beyond themselves into their community. I realize the need for me to have more knowledge of services/groups available within my community. Caroline, Hamilton, NZ.
cailin.crosby
April 12, 2022Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Working primarily with the LGBTQ+ population in private practice, entering into collaborations with clients often takes the form of conversations that externalize harmful hegemonic constructs of identity, relationships, family structures etc. and exploring alternatives to these together. Connecting with others in the LGBTQ+ community, understanding of and application of queer theory, examining representations from popular culture, and lived experience help make these sorts of collaborations possible.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
It can be challenging to imagine preferred narratives if one hasn’t seen a representation of this or a reflection of a preferred narrative somewhere in life before. When working with communities made marginalized, there can also be valid concerns for safety in pursuing preferred narratives which must be taken into account.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
Connecting with other LGBTQ+ practitioners in the area and building a network of safe spaces and allies with which to consult on cases and/or offer referrals when appropriate. Engaging in community work with this population and understanding the needs and current struggles in context that individuals are facing and may bring into our work.
Melanie
April 8, 2022In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Coming from a nursing background, all the work that I have undertaken in an acute (usually hospital or GP clinic) setting has been collaborative and with a multidisciplinary team approach. In the NGO sector I now work in whilst this is with a with a multidisciplinary team, my work is predominantly solo. I actively seek out collaboration with my peers including clinical lead or supervisor to discuss, debrief and gather further insight or suggestions for therapeutic work.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
Working solo whether that is due to limited staff, differing backgrounds or programs of work or the current COVID pandemic where we are physically separated and isolated at times.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
Being responsible for actively seek out time and ability for collaboration with my peers including clinical lead or supervisor to discuss, debrief and gather further insight or suggestions for therapeutic work.
Riverland, South Australia
EricaPM
April 3, 2022The Just Therapy article hit on something that I have been thinking about for awhile. In what way can we be agents of change to the larger system? How do we enact ethical practice if we are helping the people that we meet with to adapt to an unjust and inequitable world? At the same time, the ability to help client’s recognize their power to resist the injustices they face does seem like valuable work, but it is enough?
KWalker
April 1, 2022Sue Mann’s heart-felt description of her experience with recentring medical records touched me deeply. Until reading this article, I had forgotten about an experience in my own journey in the medical system. Previously working as a clinical neurophysiologist, I once asked a supervisor in a large inner-city hospital where I was working, “Do you ever worry about how patient might feel about what you write in their notes?” The supervisor responded, “Oh no, I make sure I use so much jargon that they couldn’t possibly understand what I’ve said.” I went back to my hotel that night, and resolved to never leave small, private practise (and I haven’t!). I never wanted to work in an institution where patient/client records could be used as a form of oppression. In hindsight, this was the initial outworkings for some major decisions I made about the way I practice. All of these decisions have been bourn from my deep convictions about dignity as an essential ingredient of all interactions, though a number of them have cost me dearly, professionally and legally.
(Australia)
Katie Brewer
March 29, 2022In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I loved this lesson. Amanda Worrall’s collaboration with June in externalizing her paranoia was so impactful and I will definitely be carrying this story close as I move forward.
I have entered into collaborations before in my work with children – problem-solving together, reconnecting with siblings/friends after a conflict, determining how to move forward from a mistake. These collaborations were possible because of my deep empathy for the kids I work with as well as the strong rapport and mutual respect that we developed. Pivoting to utilize this approach in therapy work is going to take some work, but I think I’m starting with a good foundation.
It may be hard to enter into these practices if there is mistrust between myself and a client, or if there is an imbalance of power that is difficult to adjust. It may also be difficult if I situate myself too far as the “expert” in a situation and forget that my clients come with immense knowledge, strengths, and experience. That’s definitely something I want to keep in mind.
I appreciate Michael White’s description of the de-centered and influential position for a therapist. This puts into words so nicely something that I wasn’t clearly able to articulate or conceptualize on my own; it really resonates with me.
Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
christopher.sullivan
March 17, 2022Calgary, Canada
It takes a village… effective collaboration is key to developing positive outcomes alongside those with whom we work. Meaningful relationships are founded on collaboration and sincere curiosity and openness between participants of said collaboration strengthen feelings of trust and unity. Suspending ego, individual accolades or mandates, and maintaining a view of unconditional positive regard are all factors of developing effective collaborations. Challenges arise from a misalignment of values between participants, an inability to get out of one’s own way for the good of the collective, and a sense of individual ego/ pride that supersedes the collective. In order to continue to develop further skills that nurture and encourage collaboration, I believe i need to work further to de-centre myself from any collaboration. I wish to work on the periphery as an individual who is capable of ebbing and flowing depending on the collaborative needs that may arise at any moment. As well, by ensuring that the person with whom the work is being done maintains a central role as the expert in their own life, supports are able to prop up the collaborative effort as scaffolding for the main structure, being the individual.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
Henk Ensing
February 24, 2022In my practise I work with couples and relationships at rocksolidrelationships.co.nz. I work next door to the Refugee Orientation Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand and in an ongoing way I’m thinking of preferred ways of enacting collaboration within this community. It seems it isn’t easy work. Things do get in the way for me. This chapter has given me an awareness around things that get in the way for me and helps me to try to address it. I’ve tried several ways to build collabrations with the ROC (Refugee Orientation Centre) group and recently collabroatively facilitated part of their young adult camp where Jenny and I had group conversations with young adult refugees around their relationships. The young adults and ROC leadership seemed to value our contribution. Collaboration and accountability seems to be a helpful stance in working with young adult refugees and the ROC. Collaboration with the ROC seems to present as a blessing in my life.
Melinda
February 9, 2022Sue Mann’s piece resonated with me. I work with teenagers and invite them to work with me to capture the days case notes. Trust and respect is developed from this.
Working collaboratively with a colleague during a session, allows two perspectives of conversations, rather just my own.
Melinda, Gurrumbillbarra Country
pra.cas
January 14, 2022I am constantly working in collaborative relationships to different degrees with families, schools, early childhood centres and other community services. What makes these collaborations possible is a) a need/challenge, b) building rapport and relationship first, c) exploring a situation, then developing and implementing a plan together. The biggest barrier to entering into these practices is when roles and responsibilities are not negotiated, clarified and followed-through on regularly. This leads to unmet expectations, confusion, frustration and finally relationship breakdowns. One of the current goals in my practice is to become more clear and courageous in negotiating and clarifying this roles and responsibilities.
Keegan
December 8, 2021Clinical Counsellor; Kelowna, B.C., Canada
I resonated with the focus on collaboration. As any meaningful exchange, one’s ability to connect to with one another on the same level is imperative. With this said, holding the space for such exchange is considered here to be the center of this transpiring effectively.
In her article, Sue Mann reflected upon her experience wherein she offered her client choice in the way in which to proceed. Therefore, allowing the relationship to be perceived as collaborative rather than authoritarian. In doing so, the client had opened up to Mann as Mann presented with genuine interest in facilitating and representing the story of the client. Developing this relationship had empowered the client into describing their story in their own terms, enriching their narratives while exploring the alternate meanings weaved within.
Creating these environments allow the client to feel heard, accepted, and important, fostering human connectedness. In environments such as the medical system, these situations may be few-and-far-between, further reflecting the need to allot time, space, and energy to the stories of others. I currently work with street-entrenched youth in a youth-facility, whereby we create a warm, caring, and empathic environment. Upon the creation of this environment, the youth will open up to their concerns and conversation. It begins with the security of respect, trust, and safety, knowing that this is the basis of conversations. This process has taken upwards of 6 weeks, being on site for 4-hour shifts once a week. It has been amazing to see the importance of working with the comfort level of the clients and to create the genuine, caring relationship prior to therapeutic exploration.
misstaylorhalliwell
November 29, 2021Adelaide- South Australia!
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Most of my collaboration has just been work related as a manager in a retail store. These collaborations were possible as we all shared a common goal.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
Collaboration can be challenging if one has biases and not an open mind. Protection of each other can raise some difficulties.
This could be hard if individuals share different view points or beliefs
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work? I could begin by discussing different goals around the work place no matter how big or small and being collaborations towards achieving that.
JM
November 14, 2021Collaboration is very important when working with clients for many reasons but primarily it works to balance out power dynamics in the therapeutic relationship. Clients feel like they are constantly in situations that dis-empower them and make them feel helpless. When we approach our therapeutic relationship that is client-centered we ensure that the client is in control of their own recovery or problem solving process. We also create pathways of learning more about our client and their resiliency, talents, and strengths. We show up in a respectful way seeking to influence but not be centered in the therapeutic process.
Glynis Thorp
October 15, 2021In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I am from the Australian outback and I work in remote environments and also in the telehealth space.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
Possibly limited time to spend with each client and also the long assessments that are required when clients are referred into the service.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I have been fortunate to attend several workshops with trainers from the Dulwich Centre in the past and i had forgotten how many strategies that I use from what I have learnt in the past. I really do not think I know it all though and i am very keen to learn more and I want to make sure i am doing the best to help my clients. I will certainly take away many skills and found the session of externalizing paranoia very helpful. There were some wonderful lessons and strategies in this session. So more study may be on the agenda!
CheleneG
October 12, 2021Chelene Groube – Emerging social worker far north QLD.
Firstly I want to start by saying I found it very insightful how Amanda discussed the power of the client being the expert of their experiences and how to use and unpack this with the client in reflecting on descriptions, items, and feelings that come along with their discussion of interest by doing this I can see the importance of then how it is a good tool to use to understand as a practitioner to best support the individual.
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I’d like to reflect on this question because my type of clientele is mostly mandated or involuntary participants so how I adapt narrative practises in this climate. I like to hope that my use of self and the use of this practise allowed to close a little bit of the gap that is a challenge in this scenario, also I find working in a multi discipline team and informal discussion around how to better our organisation and daily practise is important and to try an involve the client in their own decision-making process as much as possible and to be transparent and non-judgmental in any circumstance and to keep myself accountable as a practitioner with my own supervision.
Siobhan
September 30, 2021Siobhan, social worker, Wurundjeri Country
I really appreciated all the resources in this unit. All of Sue Mann’s reflections about note-taking, language, record keeping and collaboration were so resonant. I have often in different roles been painfully aware of the power that my words can have as I write case notes – the power I wield in shaping a narrative of someone else’s life. I think Sue’s practices of writing notes collaboratively are so powerful and clearly hold enormous potential. Something I love is how these practices so powerfully resist the norms of the heirarchy in a medical setting and really lay bare the power imbalances present in settings such as this and many others. This practice pushes us all to reflect on the language we use, the power our words have, and to question our investment in heirarchies and whether we can let go of power.
I also really liked the words from the Just Therapy team – they beautifully articulate so many important ideas about the need to think collectively about social ills rather than locate problems in the individual as mainstream psychology and medicine so often does.
Finally, I loved Tileah’s discussion of the importance of creating space to resist what she calls ‘damage-centred stories’. When she mentioned that yarning with an individual must still connect with the collective and the bigger picture, it resonated with the ideas from the Just Therapy team about connecting the experiences of people with broader structures and forces.
I feel that in past roles I have looked for ways to work collaboratively in certain ways. I have always tried to employ a person-centred approach and this has led me to view my role as walking alongside and working with in a collaborative way. I have tried in the relationships I have had with people I’ve supported to set up the dynamic as if I am in the passenger seat and they are the driver. I might create a space to discuss where they want to drive next and how they might want to get there, and what navigation assistance I might be able to provide, but ultimately they make the decisions that feel right for them. I feel that this type of working was actively encouraged some of the organisations I’ve worked for and so the skills, advice and knowledge of colleagues and supervisors helped me to sharpen my approach.
However I can see that in certain practice contexts certain limits may by placed on these practices of collaboration. I think that whenever there is risk, or in settings that are more hierarchical, these limits are going to be more pronounced. Child protection, involuntary mental health services, corrections, hospitals are some examples that come to mind. As Sue demonstrated, that is not to say that collaboration is not possible, but the more hierarchical and risk-averse the institution is, the more challenging it will probably be to collaborate in this way. I think this is because workers, even if they start out with these ideals, risk getting inducted into these structures and norms and lose sight of the preferred ways of working. As worker we must be vigilant in this sense to ‘systemic collusion’ – colluding with practices and norms that are harmful and oppressive within the systems we work within.
I would like to continue to think about how collaboration can be built into my practice and applied to different future roles. I plan to continue to research these methods for inspiration and seek guidance from supervisors about how to embed these practices.
Manpreet Kaur Mann
September 30, 2021I am a social work student, and I am studying at university of Wollongong NSW Australia.
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I have entered into collaborations through working in a team with clients and staff members. Now, I am doing a placement at Refugee Health Service where I am talking with the clients in a culturally responsive manner with them to use proper sensitive language to develop the capacities of the clients from Refugee backgrounds. These collaborations are helpful for building trust and rapport with the clients in my practice.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
I think the power imbalance between myself and the clients from Refugee backgrounds can might hard for me to enter into these practices. This is because I can take all the authority to influence the clients to collaborate in the conversation.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I think that I can build CALD community groups that can make collaborate with the CALD community for motivating them for their rights and for getting health services to live a better life.
Manpreet Kaur Mann
September 30, 2021I am a social work student, and I am studying at university of Wollongong NSW Australia.
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I have entered into collaborations through working in a team with clients and staff members. Now, I am doing a placement at Refugee Health Service where I am talking with the clients in a culturally responsive manner with them to use proper sensitive language to develop the capacities of the clients from Refugee backgrounds. These collaborations are helpful for building trust and rapport with the clients in my practice.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
I think the power imbalance between myself and the clients from Refugee backgrounds can might hard for me to enter into these practices. This is because I can take all the authority to influence the clients to collaborate in the conversation.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I think that I can build CALD community groups that can make collaborate with the CALD community for motivating them for their rights and for getting health services to live a better life.
briannajarv
September 22, 2021I love the story of the man whose name I do not know. As a social worker in a hospital setting, it is all too easy to buy into these dominant narratives about people being “deliberately difficult” or “unwilling” to accept help. I love the practice of engaging people in documenting. I must confess that even while I was reading through this, I was generating reasons and excuses as to why I couldn’t practice in that way – “it really just wouldn’t work for me” – with time and funding constraints, pressures from the medical team. It is an ongoing battle that we, as practitioners and advocates, cannot ever stop fighting. We need to be thinking creatively and opening up these ways for people to contribute meaningfully and have their stories heard! Involving people in documenting their own experiences, or at least offering them the ability to do so, is a simple yet incredibly powerful way of collaborating and facilitating autonomy on the journey of healing.
I think that for me, incorporating these practices into my day is going to mean developing partnerships and finding allies. I am fortunate enough to work with a number of progressive doctors and nurses, who are driven by holistic models and who understand and appreciate the entire story of a person’s life. This module has inspired me to open up conversations with colleagues and peers about how we can all work together to practice in this way, and finding people who will support this notion to create whole of system change.
Dylan
September 16, 2021I really enjoyed hearing Amanda’s story about June and felt a lot of connection with it as I work in a very similar setting in Adelaide. It was inspiring to see the progress that June made, and how Amanda assisted with this, not by suggesting or imposing Amanda’s ideas on June but by working alongside June. This made me reflect on my own practice, and how there are many inferences in policies and procedures to client centred approach, however this, unfortunately, is often not the case in actuality. I know myself, that I have been guilty of presuming I know the best course of action needed for a particular consumer from time to time either through eagerness or time constraints and have then had to remind myself not to undertake this top down approach and instead work together with the consumer. This chapter was really good in its depiction of the client/consumer being the expert in their own life and a good refresher on the importance of this for myself.
TorCG
September 9, 2021Writing from Naarm
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
The collaborations that I have been involved with generally involve working with students to develop ways to either inform their parents or their teachers of important information about their mental health/wellbeing. We almost develop a script of what to say and what the student is comfortable with sharing. These collaborations are possible as sometimes the students don’t feel they have the language or capacity to explain their feelings to others, and require some support in developing that capacity.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
I think the power imbalance between myself and student can impact how collaborative these practices are. If I am not careful, these collaborations can become more advisory on my end, rather than building the capacity of the student to collaborate with me.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I think building student groups that collaborate with school staff and broader education policy in general are an important next step. Education is still very top-down in its approach and I believe that student voices need to be centred when developing curriculum and wellbeing policy.
Crystal Williams
September 2, 2021I really enjoy reading the importance of how the person is the expert of their own life, how important it is too work with them to describe their story. In my work as an assessor, I really like to involve the client’s perspective in what I report. I feel that in the medical profession too often the person is talked about instead of asking them how best to help them.
I am also very fond of the concept of pointing out to the person what they are doing that is good already. Collaborating on ideas of how to make come into reality. (Vernon, BC, Canada)
Karen Becker
August 19, 2021Brisbane Australia
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Collaborating with a young person who is experiencing domestic violence and discussing strategies to modify the effect in her life. Discussing which strategies would make her feel more stressed and which have worked in the past, rather than telling her what to do.
This is possible because of the rapport that had been build up over several weeks and a conscious effort to listen to her story and ask curious questions.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
It is hard when we are in a system that has set ways of interacting with people. I liked Sue Moon’s article and the way she creatively developed a way of ensuring the medical records reflected the stories of patients that they were happy with, while still keeping the legal and policy requirements.
It can be hard when there is distrust. I have found it hard when young people I work with don’t want to share their real story but just share what they think I want to hear.
I think being de-centred but influential gets easier with practice. It requires tuning into clues about alternative stories and then knowing how to ask scaffolding questions. I find some sessions go better than others in terms of asking thoughtful questions.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I think just listening and asking curious questions.
Michelle Royce
August 9, 2021Michelle Royce
Coffs Harbour Australia
In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Within the context of my work with older people and people living with dementia, I have entered many different kinds of collaborations, but the ones that stay with me are the small groups where I facilitate story sharing, that is, life stories. I believe this kind of collaboration fits within the narrative as therapy concept, since people are revisiting their life stories as the experts of their own lives and it’s very clear that some have ‘thin stories’ while others have a richer narrative around their lives. These collaborations involve creating a safe space where all feel comfortable to speak or listen, and the element of trust that comes with feeling valued for your own individual experience, whatever that may be. This can take time but ultimately is the key for sharing meaningful sessions where each person ( including me!) experiences some kind of positive outcome or healing moment appropriate to their individual needs through the collaborative process.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
It can be hard to create an atmosphere of non judgement and trust with older people, especially where certain demographics are concerned. Talking individually and assessing the compatibility of the individuals with each other can be helpful , as can discussing what the goals for the group are before beginning a session or collaboration, asking questions to ascertain what their goals or needs may be to achieve the outcome for the group. The facilitator also needs to be aware of dynamics and encouraging each person to be comfortable as their own ‘expert’.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
I’ve particularly found the concept of being the” expert of their own story” valuable and will now consciously introduce this into collaborative sessions with examples. Where before it was more of an intuitive thing, encouraging respect, empathy and non judgement, I believe this concept, introduced and explained will further support and give confidence to group participants to collaborate from their own valued and heard viewpoints.
David Clayton
August 2, 2021Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
I had entered in collaboration during meetings, projects and assignments before. I believe what had made these collaborations possible was the willingness to accept everyone for what they bring i.e., different perspectives, skills, knowledge and life experiences were brought into the conversation. I also think that groups work well, when organically they involve differences. Not when they are pre-chosen to include a rata system.
I think what could be hard when entering into these practices could be when there is a great dynamic happening, it might become difficult for the leader or facilitator to manage a contrast of personalities or personality conflicts. It might also become harder to measure when accurately trying to adhere to a whole group i.e., we need to make x and y arrangements for someone. Sometimes people default to adherence of the majority over individualising the meeting to meet every singe person’s needs and requirements. I would definitely need to be aware that this could also cause discrimination and probably do what I need to do to meet other’s requirements/support needs.
I think that it would definitely work in my practice. I am a social worker and usually there are conferences, meetings and other types of group based arrangements involve being able to understand each role in the room, so that goals are met. As well as understanding the sensitivities that are required, so that these events are inclusive.
Steven Colbran
July 5, 2021In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
Every day is a new and exciting collaboration that brings value to clients and it has been made possible by being open and transparent with services and clients, as well as a team full of passionate colleagues.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
When one is not accepted or known to the people you want to collaborate with, or when it is a matter of putting the client first and protecting them, collaboration can be an upheaval for the individual.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
It really is all about relationships and stories. Being open and just listening, non-judgemental listening, empathy and support.
Steven Colbran
Mackay QLD
Australia
Kylie Webster
June 22, 2021In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible? Any therapy session that we enter into is a collaboration with the client and is dependent on the client sharing their knowledge of themselves in a meaningful way in order to facilitate self-healing. The client is the expert in their own lives and it is through our collaboration that healing is possible.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices? It would be very difficult without the valuable input and sharing of their stories of our clients to enter into a truly collaborative approach to therapy sessions.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work? This approach can be expanded to include the people that we work with and provide a meaningful approach to truly assisting the clients.
Anupama
June 19, 2021When I work with the community, I encourage them to speak and understand their own strengths and potential using my own stories and experiences to give a sense of comfort. Community work is in essence a collaboration with the community, and this chapter allowed me to think of my approach to community work and how I can create a better collaborative space.
It can be difficult to enter these into practice as it is easy to see community work as a way to ‘fix’ a community or a problem, when rather, the goal is to work together to build and connect.
Cathy from Melbourne
June 16, 2021As a white Australian, I worked in Northland NZ for 6 years.
In that time I attended numerous hui (meeting) at marae and learned to deeply value the Maori/Islander way of introducing one’s self, based on our family’s story. (I also learned to take a muesli bar with me to sustain energy levels.) My white world is always in such a rush to get the task done – which is so often removed from the people. A Maori saying asks “what’s most important? It’s the people, the people, the people.”
Regarding collaboration, people need to come first.
alicegrieve
June 14, 2021Alice, London.
I am an Assistant Psychologist working in a Learning Disabilities service and as part of my role I am a facilitator and member of a co-production group. I have learnt so much working alongside the volunteers who make many positive changes to services through our group and by sharing their knowledge and experience. I really enjoyed hearing Amanda’s presentation about her work with June and the power of the externalising conversations they had together about SP. I was also struck when Amanda shared the positive impact sharing her story has had on June and the steps they took together for June to feel able to do this. It reminded me of the positive impact being positioned as the ‘expert’ can have and the power of having your experiences heard, listened to and contributing towards change. This chapter has also given me new ideas in terms of continuing to work collaboratively in my therapeutic work.
Megan M. Matthews
June 14, 2021In what ways have you entered into collaborations before? What made these collaborations possible?
I agree with my fellow students of narrative practice who have posted in this chapter that, ideally, every time I meet with a client for their monthly counseling session at the addiction treatment agency where I currently practice, it is a collaboration between myself and the client in front of me. I say “ideally” because there are many clients for whom this is seldom – if ever – the case. What makes the difference, I think, is the client’s level of willingness to be in front of me in the counseling room.
What might make it hard to enter into these practices?
Obviously any collaborative effort implies consent on the part of all parties involved. In my context, however, the “consent” is often entirely driven by the fact that every client is required by the state, as a condition of continuing in the treatment program, to attend counseling once a month. This many of them do very grudgingly, and to all appearances only because they see the counseling as a necessary inconvenience that stands between them and the daily medication which we dispense to them.
If these ways of working fit for you, what next steps could you take to build partnerships/collaborations in your work?
At this point, as long as I continue to work in my current context, I feel that the biggest thing I can do to build a sense of collaboration between myself and each client on my caseload is to continue to work on building a rapport with each client; to make them feel that they are being heard; and, above all else, to continue to the best of my ability to help them find their alternative stories and show them that they are seen, not as “an addict” but as an individual person deserving and worthy of my respect.
TashaRae
June 8, 2021I always feel that working with clients is a collaboration. I think that asking questions and working on a plan of action with the expertise of the client in therapy is the most useful way to approach helping others. The collaboration exists when both people are on the same page after acknowledging a common desire or goal. Working within the context of tribal communities, it is imperative that everyone (court systems, medical providers, therapists, community development initiatives) are all on the same page, reaching a similar goal and trying to find the most optimal outcomes for out tribal people. We (my therapy organization) have begun to have meeting with different branches of tribal services, understand each others initiatives and desired outcomes to come to a conclusive outcome: self-sustainability and tribal sovereignty.
Hopefully, the extent of our programs becomes adopted by other tribes as we build and service more communities.
JJ Viviers
June 3, 2021I’m inspired by June’s story and moved to tears on many occasions. What stood out for me was connection. Being with and speaking in groups of people are risky for me too and being vulnerable is scary. Remembering that this how I get energy is a good reminder. I see connection as my purpose in life too. Connecting and being in community with other LGBTQ folks is what I’m called to do, but stepping into this role has me nervous. Thank you June for allowing Amanda to share your story, I will remember the tools from this module much better now remembering your story. I’m a queer man from Toronto Canada and on the path to be an ordained minister.
debbie webster
May 26, 2021It is important as a therapist to approach therapeutic practice in a collaborative manner to remember that the client is the expert in their own journey and the author of their own narratives and as such have the understanding needed to embark on a journey of healing. It requires much practice and skill to achieve a de-centered and influential approach as a therapist but it is an imperative that allows the client to remain in control of their own journey.