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Revisiting the notion of hierarchy
1Faculty, Family Studies, Inc., New York, NY.
Family Process
|June 1, 1993
Summary
This essay redefines hierarchy in therapy from power dynamics to a developmental framework. This "framing-developing hierarchy" supports constructionist goals for nonjudgmental, nonpathologizing, and noncontrolling therapeutic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Therapeutic Studies
- Social Constructionism
Background:
- Traditional power-based definitions of hierarchy in therapy face constructionist critiques.
- Critiques highlight issues of judgment, pathologization, and control in hierarchical therapeutic models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an alternative, temporal and developmental definition of hierarchy in the therapeutic process.
- To demonstrate how this revised understanding can align therapy with constructionist principles.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of hierarchical structures in therapy.
- Re-framing the therapist's role using a temporal and developmental lens.
Main Results:
- A "framing-developing hierarchy" model is proposed as an alternative to "power hierarchy."
- This model facilitates the realization of constructionist therapeutic aspirations.
Conclusions:
- Shifting from a power-based to a developmental hierarchy transforms the therapeutic process.
- This revised model supports the creation of a nonjudgmental, nonpathologizing, and noncontrolling therapy.