Conversation, Language and Possibilities. A Postmodern Approach to Therapy

Abstract

Reviews the book, Conversation, Language, and Possibilities: A Postmodern Approach to Therapy by H. Anderson (see record [rid]1997-97300-000[/rid]). In this book, Anderson personalizes the “collaborative language systems” approach by speaking clearly and passionately from her own special place in the world. She earns this reader’s gratitude and respect by managing the difficult feat of writing about postmodern theory in an interesting, relevant, and down-to-earth style. Perhaps her ability to keep her feet on the ground while discussing heady ideas has something to do with being a woman. Certainly her emphasis on dialogue, relationship, collaboration, conversation, and the like owes more to the “different voice” that the feminist critique has brought to family therapy than it does to traditional white male academic discourse. The most interesting thing about this book is the stories that are interwoven with Anderson’s explications of philosophy and her reflections on the collaborative language systems approach. Her interest in people and in the possibilities that are present in their lives and relationships glows in all its many colors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)