Content area
Full Text
This paper describes recent developments in the use of the "absent but implicit" in narrative therapy. Michael White used the term "absent but implicit" to convey the understanding that in the expression of any experience of life, there is a discernment we make between the expressed experience and other experiences that have already been given meaning and provide a contrasting backdrop, which "shapes" the expression being foregrounded. In therapeutic conversations, we can use the concept of the "absent but implicit" to enquire into the stories of self that lie beyond the problem story. We review as a foundation for appreciating this particular practice the ways in which narrative therapy supports an exploration of the accounts of life that lie "outside of" the problem story. We follow this by a more specific description of how the concept and practice of the "absent but implicit" offer further possibilities for bringing forward these often neglected territories of life. This description includes the presentation of an "absent but implicit" map of narrative practice, which reflects the authors' shared understandings of Michael White's most recent explorations and teachings.
Keywords: Narrative Therapy; Absent but Implicit; Michael White; Narrative Practice; Responding to Trauma
Fam Proc 48:319-331, 2009
It is not possible to talk about anything without drawing out what it is not. Every expression of life is in relation to something else.
Michael White referring to the work of Derrida.1
Over the years, Michael White has presented numerous exciting and inspiring "re-visionings" of the narrative approach that he had developed along with David Epston (White & Epston, 1990, 1992). Michael's constant reading and exploration of ideas and thinking outside of the field of psychotherapy continued to provide new slants on practice and new ways of describing the process of a therapeutic conversation using the narrative approach (Morgan, 2000; White, 1995, 1997, 2001). As each connection with another body of thought was described, it offered practitioners further opportunities in their therapeutic work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. A range of colleagues within Australia and internationally encouraged and supported Michael White's long-term interest in French critical philosophy, social anthropology, feminist studies, and related realms. Significant contributions were made through the sharing of work and through rigorous discussions over decades as Michael developed...