This Week You Will Practice Listening To A Story Of Another

This Week You Will Practice Listening To A Story Of Another Persons

This week, you will practice listening to a story of another person’s experience or context (from a postmodern and cultural humility standpoint). Think of yourself as a curious and open vessel where you are taking in what the authors are telling you. After this, you will write a reflection related to the experience, your own thoughts, and the connections you are considering between postmodern models and cultural humility. The first step in this process is to pick two of the readings that are listed that highlight different populations or experiences. Maybe read through the first paragraph of each to determine which two articles may feel most different from your own experiences.

Once you pick the two articles to read, set aside a different kind of space to really “listen” to the authors. Maybe find a cozy couch or a quiet space outside to just take in the two readings completely. As you are reading, try to place yourself within the perspective of the author(s), try to understand and be curious about their perspective, their social constructions, and try to be aware of any social constructions (or biases or judgments) that you might bring to the understanding of their perspective, overall, just be “with” this reading. After you are done with that part of the process, you will write a reflection.

Your reflection should address the following: Personal Reflection Discuss why you picked the two articles you did. Share your overall initial (personal) reactions to their experiences and perspectives. Describe anything you read that causes a specific emotional reaction in you. Explain where you think this reaction came from (concerning your own context). Share what you learned about another person’s context that you didn’t know before.

Crossroads of postmodern models and cultural humility Discuss how you feel postmodern models and cultural humility fit or do not fit together. Describe any model connection that you considered. When you were going through your two reflective readings, could you see any postmodern model specifically nicely addressing the context of the person you were reading about? Present two to three postmodern techniques (e.g., from the narrative, solution-focused, or collaborative) that you think would fit well with the cultural humility lens. Consider the therapist’s context and the role this context plays in viewing clients through a cultural humility lens.

Postmodernism and social construction indicate that there is a melding of perspectives in an interaction. Discuss how you are mindful of this with clients. (Note: Consider your own understandings or misunderstandings of the articles that you read and provide an example of how this reactivity/misunderstanding may influence the therapeutic environment.)

Paper For Above instruction

Listening to narratives from diverse populations through a postmodern and cultural humility lens fosters a deeper understanding of individual experiences, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, openness, and self-awareness for practitioners. This practice promotes an environment where clients’ social constructions and personal stories are honored, acknowledging that multiple realities coexist and are valid. The process of engaging with two distinctive articles involves deliberate, mindful listening—creating a space free of judgment, where the practitioner's own biases are recognized and managed to avoid influencing the interpretation of others’ stories.

In choosing two articles, I reflected on their contrasting perspectives, selecting one that represented a marginalized community I am less familiar with and another that aligns more closely with my own experiences. For example, I might choose an article about Indigenous peoples’ spiritual practices and resilience, juxtaposed with an account from recent immigrants navigating cultural assimilation. Initial reactions to these narratives often invoke feelings of empathy, curiosity, or even discomfort—emotions that are rooted in my own cultural background, biases, or assumptions. Recognizing this emotional response is crucial, as it reveals areas where my understanding can expand or where I might unconsciously impose my worldview on others.

Through engaging with these stories, I learned nuances about these communities that counter prevailing stereotypes, such as their adaptive resilience or unique worldviews. This process is inherently influenced by postmodern models that emphasize the multiplicity of truths, encouraging practitioners to question assumptions and acknowledge the social constructions shaping both client identities and therapeutic interactions.

Regarding the compatibility of postmodern models and cultural humility, I believe they are inherently aligned, both emphasizing humility, openness, and a non-expert stance. These models foster collaborative dialogue, where the client's narrative takes precedence, and the therapist recognizes their own positionality. For example, narrative techniques, such as externalization and storytelling, empower clients to reauthor their stories while recognizing the social context shaping their realities. Solution-focused approaches, emphasizing strengths and future possibilities, align with cultural humility by focusing on clients' resources rather than deficits.

Additionally, collaborative techniques foster shared understanding, vital in a culturally humble practice. Being mindful of one's own social and cultural biases is essential in avoiding reactivity or misunderstandings that could hinder the therapeutic alliance. For instance, misinterpreting a client's silence as disinterest rather than respect for a cultural norm can diminish trust. An example of this was when I initially misunderstood a client’s reticence, which was rooted in cultural communication styles, highlighting the importance of cultural humility and ongoing self-reflection.

Ultimately, integrating postmodern perspectives with cultural humility creates a dynamic, flexible approach that values client uniqueness while recognizing the fluid and socially constructed nature of identity. This integration encourages therapists to remain open, adaptable, and reflective, fostering environments where clients feel seen, validated, and empowered to define their own narratives.

References

• Anderson, H., & Goolishian, H. (1992). The client as collaborator: The emerging paradigm of person-centered therapy. In S. McNamee & K. Gergen (Eds.), Therapy as social construction (pp. 27–49). Sage Publications.
• Gergen, K. J. (2015). The relational mind: Social constructionism and the psychology of human relations. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 9(2), 50–63.
• Madigan, S. (2011). Narrative therapy. Theories of Psychotherapy series. Springer Publishing.
• Epston, D., & White, M. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Kimberg, A., & Peters, C. (2013). Cultural humility: Moving from cultural competence to cultural humility. Journal of Social Work Education, 49(2), 269–283.
• White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
• Carter, R. T., Bennett, A., & Elliott, S. (2018). Cultural humility and social justice: Considering the roles of the therapist and client. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96(4), 479–488.
• Morgan, A. (2000). What is narrative therapy? An easy-to-read introduction. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.
• Hoffman, D. M. (2013). The social construction of gender and the implications for therapy. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 6(4), 307–319.