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Abstract

Narratives are clients' spoken thoughts, feelings, ideas, and ideals about their social worlds. In this study narratives are largely client-driven, being facilitated by clinicians' questions and concerns when needed. Narratives that most influence clients' decisionmaking and behavior are deliberately de-constructed and re-constructed through clinical exchanges, to make these narratives more effective and more dependable for clients. Advantages of using objectivity and research orientations in problem-solving throughout clinical exchanges are considered, as well as fact-finding strategies about families, religions or beliefs, social classes, cultures, and societies. Clinicians and clients are encouraged to discuss trends in histories, social systems, and cultures to de-construct false narratives and re-construct more realistic narratives. Best practice narratives guide substantive exchanges between clients and clinicians, and improve the quality of clinical outcomes during and after consultations.

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Narrative as Vital Methodology in Clinical Sociology

Abstract

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