CFD Psych

The late Michael White, author of Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends, would frequently say to his clients that "You're not the problem, the problem is the problem".  He  insisted on the principle that mental health and/or behavioral problems not be defined as permanent fixed entities in the person's infrastructure. He preferred to construct the narrative of the problem as one where the understanding and meaning of the problem could be readily tampered with or countered. He didn't find it useful or helpful to locate the problem within the person as if it was a permanent part of them like their lungs or stomach. By contrast when an expert or authority figure says to a young person, "You have problem x (fill in the x with a label from the diagnostic manual of mental disorders)", the problem becomes like a thing the person has within their very structure. White strongly challenged this framing of the problem. 

The truth is that I have been undeniably influenced by Michael White. Yes, I have, and I am sure glad its true.  I would most certainly want to explore with my client's those times when the problem was not allowed to "have it's way with them". I like using language that externalizes the problem. This helps the client position themselves to fight against the problem by making purposive choices that are incompatible with the problem. The person becomes postured to win against the problem if they so choose, to out-trick it, and to potentially put the problem in its place. In therapy sessions, I have seen first-hand, and repeatedly, the power that comes to a young person when they are defined as competent and capable of out-maneuvering the problem. They are defined as being one step away from effecting a victory over the problem. They begin to mount a counter strategy to defeat the demands the problem makes on them. They are inspired and ready for battle. They are encouraged to rebel against the problem and to use their anger to defeat the problem. After all, the problem wasn't a part of them to start with. For help with child or adolescent misbehavior or parenting issues, call one of our child psychologists or family therapists for a consultation. Best wishes, Stephen Elliott, Ph.D., Family Therapist, Child and Family Development, Charlotte, NC