Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConstructivist TheoriesConstructive TherapiesHow Does One Make Meaning?Constructive TherapistsTypes of Constructivist TherapyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Constructivist Theories
Constructive Therapies
How Does One Make Meaning?
Constructive Therapists
Types of Constructivist Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Close
Constructivism is a theory that posits that humans are meaning-makers in their lives and essentially construct their own realities. In various psychotherapeutic approaches under constructivism, the client is viewed as an active participant in creating and determining their life path.
Genetic Epistemology
Personal Construct Theory
Personal construct theorysuggests that people develop their constructs as they interpret information to understand how the world works. These constructs are based on each person’s experiences and observations, which means that constructs are highly individualized and different from one person to the next.
Post-Rationalist Cognitive Therapy
Constructive therapies offer a shift from the traditional focus in psychology on what is wrong with a particular client to paying greater attention to someone’s strengths. It is more optimistic and attends to a client’s resources, goals, hopes, and dreams.
There is more concern about where someone wishes to go in their lives than their history or childhood. The client is seen as a proactive reality creator.
Some specific therapy tools that are often used in constructive therapy include:
RecapConstructivist therapies often focus on helping people make sense of the world and their relationships. Instead of exploring what is wrong, it works to help people identify their strengths and to use those abilities to create positive changes.
Recap
Constructivist therapies often focus on helping people make sense of the world and their relationships. Instead of exploring what is wrong, it works to help people identify their strengths and to use those abilities to create positive changes.
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This means that reality is socially constructed. This theory is similar to that posited in the cutting-edge field calledinterpersonal neurobiology, which views human identity as more relational than the individual. In other words—we are who we are, as we are, in relation to others.
The constructive therapist’s role in psychotherapy is unlike the classic “doctor” role in which the therapist is supposed to “heal” or “treat” a patient. While the therapist has skills and significant expertise at facilitation and guiding sessions, the constructive therapist is not seen as the objective expert.
In constructivism, there is a deep awareness of the subjectivity that everyone has, therapists included. Therapists and clients are therefore seen as collaborative participants as they make meaning together and assist the client in creating their best reality as they move forward.
The constructive therapist subscribes to the belief in a socially constructed reality and sees their work with a client as co-constructing meaning together through conversation.
The therapist focuses on a client’s strengths, and does not look for illness or deficiencies, but rather emphasizes resources. They are focused on the future and are hopeful and optimistic about the client’s ability to make positive changes.
There are a number of different types of constructivist therapies that may be utilized to address different issues.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy(SFBT) is a form of short-term therapy that has been used with all kinds of people, families, and problems. The emphasis, as with many constructivist therapies, is on the client’s strengths and solutions that may already be available to them. The focus on what is already working, as opposed to a focus on what is wrong, yields more solutions as a result.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally focused therapy(EFT) is used primarily with couples to deepen, enrich, and save relationships. While EFT falls under the constructive umbrella, it is also an approach that is largely based onattachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of a safe and secure emotional bond with another.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapyhas been used with children, families, and adults. Narrative therapy offers clients the opportunity to master their lives through the stories they tell themselves. The narrative therapist helps bring forth preferred realities of clients and enables them to essentially re-author their lives.
RecapConstructivist approaches to therapy include solution-focused brief therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and narrative therapy. The best approach may depend on an individual’s needs and the problems they are dealing with.
Constructivist approaches to therapy include solution-focused brief therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and narrative therapy. The best approach may depend on an individual’s needs and the problems they are dealing with.
A Word From Verywell
Constructivism in mental health offers a great deal of hope and optimism. With a trusted constructivist therapist who can skillfully facilitate life-changing conversations, new possibilities and opportunities emerge in clients' lives.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSome of the major themes within constructivism focus on the need for order, a sense of self, and a sense of active personal agency. Other important themes focus on social relatedness and development through the lifespan.Jean Piaget is often identified as the founder of constructivism. His work focused on children’s cognitive development and suggested that kids play an active role in constructing their knowledge of the world. His work also influenced other cognitivist thinkers, including Lev Vygotsky.Constructivist theories and techniques can be useful when applied to personal problems. For example, people coping with grief and bereavement can benefit from making meaning, forging new connections, and adjusting their sense of self as they process their loss.
Some of the major themes within constructivism focus on the need for order, a sense of self, and a sense of active personal agency. Other important themes focus on social relatedness and development through the lifespan.
Jean Piaget is often identified as the founder of constructivism. His work focused on children’s cognitive development and suggested that kids play an active role in constructing their knowledge of the world. His work also influenced other cognitivist thinkers, including Lev Vygotsky.
Constructivist theories and techniques can be useful when applied to personal problems. For example, people coping with grief and bereavement can benefit from making meaning, forging new connections, and adjusting their sense of self as they process their loss.
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De Pascale A, Quiñones Á, Cimbolli P.Post-rationalist psychotherapy academy today: Research and clinical practice.Riv Psichiatr. 2016;51(1):2-10. doi:10.1708/2168.23444Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Hoffman L.Constructing realities: an art of lenses.Family Process. 1990;29(1):1-12. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1990.00001.xBenson LA, Sevier M, Christensen A.The impact of behavioral couple therapy on attachment in distressed couples.J Marital Fam Ther. 2013;39(4):407-420. doi:10.1111/jmft.12020Mahoney MJ.Constructive Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide. 1st ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2003.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.De Pascale A, Quiñones Á, Cimbolli P.Post-rationalist psychotherapy academy today: Research and clinical practice.Riv Psichiatr. 2016;51(1):2-10. doi:10.1708/2168.23444Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Hoffman L.Constructing realities: an art of lenses.Family Process. 1990;29(1):1-12. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1990.00001.xBenson LA, Sevier M, Christensen A.The impact of behavioral couple therapy on attachment in distressed couples.J Marital Fam Ther. 2013;39(4):407-420. doi:10.1111/jmft.12020Mahoney MJ.Constructive Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide. 1st ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2003.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
De Pascale A, Quiñones Á, Cimbolli P.Post-rationalist psychotherapy academy today: Research and clinical practice.Riv Psichiatr. 2016;51(1):2-10. doi:10.1708/2168.23444Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154Hoffman L.Constructing realities: an art of lenses.Family Process. 1990;29(1):1-12. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1990.00001.xBenson LA, Sevier M, Christensen A.The impact of behavioral couple therapy on attachment in distressed couples.J Marital Fam Ther. 2013;39(4):407-420. doi:10.1111/jmft.12020Mahoney MJ.Constructive Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide. 1st ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2003.
De Pascale A, Quiñones Á, Cimbolli P.Post-rationalist psychotherapy academy today: Research and clinical practice.Riv Psichiatr. 2016;51(1):2-10. doi:10.1708/2168.23444
Sohal M, Singh P, Dhillon BS, Gill HS.Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Fam Med Community Health. 2022;10(1):e001154. doi:10.1136/fmch-2021-001154
Hoffman L.Constructing realities: an art of lenses.Family Process. 1990;29(1):1-12. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1990.00001.x
Benson LA, Sevier M, Christensen A.The impact of behavioral couple therapy on attachment in distressed couples.J Marital Fam Ther. 2013;39(4):407-420. doi:10.1111/jmft.12020
Mahoney MJ.Constructive Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide. 1st ed. New York, NY: The Guilford Press; 2003.
Hannah Owens, LMSW
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