Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

In which type of therapy do therapists and clients co-construct a new self that aligns with the client's preferred outcome?

1. Contextual Family Therapy

2. Narrative Therapy

3. Conjoint Therapy

4. Crisis Therapy

The correct answer is: Narrative Therapy

The correct choice is narrative therapy. This therapeutic approach is centered around the idea that individuals create, interpret, and give meaning to their experiences through the stories they tell about themselves. In narrative therapy, therapists collaborate with clients to explore and re-author these personal narratives, enabling clients to envision alternative possibilities and identities that align more closely with their preferred outcomes. The process involves understanding the ways in which societal narratives and dominant discourses may impact a person's self-concept and life choices. By emphasizing the client's strengths and values, therapists help clients to co-construct new stories that reflect their desired identities and futures, thereby facilitating meaningful change. This collaborative and empowering aspect of narrative therapy distinguishes it distinctly from other modalities, which may not emphasize the same level of co-construction of identity or preferred outcomes.