EXTERNALISING CONVERSATIONS: THE STATEMENT OF POSITION MAP 1

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EXTERNALISING CONVERSATIONS THE STATEMENT OF
POSITION MAP 1

• This map provides a structure that
• Externalises the problem
• Acknowledges the full effects of the problem on a
  persons life
• Distances the person from the immediacy of the
  problem.
• Identifies a non-problem place for the person to
  stand in.

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• CHARACTERISTICS or NAMING
• (of the problem)
• Characterisation of a problem gives it boundaries
  its then possible to stand outside them
• Questions should elicit an externalised
  description that is experience-near (e.g. the
  black depths, the pounce of the wolf monster,
  a lurking suspicion of my mothers love) rather
  than experience distant (e.g. depression,
  temper tantrum, attachment disorder)
• Experience-near descriptions promote primary
  authorship by the person describing the problem -
  where experience distant descriptions pass
  expertise and problem solving abilities to
  others.

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• Other possible questions might include
• What would you call this kind of problem?
• How big/What colour/What shape/Which gender is
  this problem?
• What does it remind you of? What image comes
  to mind when you think of it?
• Could you draw a picture of this problem for
  me?
• If this problem were a person who/what would you
  call him/her?
• Is this problem a mere irritation or something
  more dangerous?

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• 2. CONNECTIONS TO or EFFECTS OF (the problem)
• These questions continue to separate the problem
  from the person as the problem is connected to
  its effects, its foundations, its allies etc
• (e.g. Has the wolf monster affected your
  friendships? Have the black depths made a
  difference to your relationship with your young
  son? Have those lurking suspicions been
  influencing your mood? How did the black depths
  first get a grip on you? Did they team up with
  disappointment or resentment?)
• These questions also provide an opportunity to
  fully acknowledge the problems history, modus
  operandi and negative effects on a persons life
  and relationships. It ensures the complexitiy of
  a persons experience can be given voice to

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• Other connecting questions might include
• Have you ever had to face a challenge of
  this size before?
• What effects has the problem had
  on other peoples lives?
• Has the problem tried to convince
  you of things about yourself? Or
  about others?
• How has the problem had you acting/talking/thinki
  ng/feeling?
• What is it besides your body that
  is hurt by the bullying?

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• 3. POSITION ON or EXPERIENCE OF (the problem and
  its effects)
• Ask about their experience of, evaluation of and
  position on the problem and its effects. This
  position will further separate the person from
  the problem.
• e.g. Who would you rather have in charge of your
  life the wolf monster or you? Does the wolf
  monster have his own interests at heart or
  yours? Whats it been like to share your life
  with the black depths?
• This positioning is a springboard for
  questions about different
  preferences
  in life. It also accounts for the presence
  of
  initiatives - actions or events that do
  not fit the
  problem story.

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• Other possible questions
• Would you say these effects
  are positive or negative? Or both? Or
  neither?
• Does it add to your life or subtract from it?
• Do these effects support your life or the
  problems life?
• What would you say about the character of
  something that goes around upsetting
  peoples lives?

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• 4. VALUES (of the person that provide a context
  for their position)
• Why do you experience the problem in this kind
  of way? Why do you take this position on the
  problem?
• These questions seek to understand the basis for
  the persons declared position.
• (E.g. Why is it youd rather be in charge of your
  life than have the wolf monster in charge of
  it?)
• They provide a foundation for action that is
  based on the persons own intentions and values.
• (E.g. What kind of life are you interested in
  thats at odds with the life that lurking
  suspicions wants for you?
• They prevent the therapist being the primary
  author of WHY something has to be done.

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• Other possible questions might include
• What does this position reflect about the things
  that are important
  to you?
• How do your values differ from the
  values the problem holds?
• What hopes or ambitions is the problem
  trying to sabotage?
• What purposes do you have for your life that are
  under threat here?
• How have you become so clear about this?
• What experiences have you had that helped clarify
  that a different kind of life would suit you?
• Did you have some plans for your life that dont
  fit with the plans of the black depths?