Narratives of Distinctiveness or Similarity and Connection a Response to Korman, De Jong and Jordan’s Steve De Shazer’s Theory Development

Abstract

In 2020 the Journal of Solution Focused Practices published an article called Steve de Shazer’s Theory Development. This surveyed the whole of de Shazer’s career, which the authors divided into four phases, from which they distilled six axioms they believe are foundational to de Shazer’s thinking and practice. In their commentary on the six axioms there is a considerable emphasis on the distinctiveness of SFBT, which the authors are keen to establish as different, in each of its foundational aspects, from most or perhaps all other therapies. This article is a response to this particular aspect of Steve de Shazer’s Theory Development. It suggests that, in comparing different approaches in the field, it is possible to construct both narratives of distinctiveness and narratives of similarity and connection. Some arguments for developing more narratives of similarity and connection are advanced.