How to Coach Yourself and Others Coaching Families | Page 219



Open up new stories/explanations:

Either by facilitating the family’s evolution of new ideas and narratives, or by the introduction of these ideas
by the therapist. All family members will have stories about their lives, the lives of other family members,
and the life of the family. They will prioritise certain information from the world around them to build these
stories and neglect other aspects. Exploration of neglected information may open up the development of
stories which are more helpful to the family in coping with their concerns. Information which is neglected
often concerns:
 Successes
 Solutions
 Exceptions
 Alternative views from the network
 Other strengths
The therapist should pay particular attention to enquiring about this information as therapy progresses, using
circular questions so that the information is provided in a