Theoretical Underpinnings Of Therapeutic Practice After Modernism

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2026

Published In

The Routledge International Handbook Of Postmodern Therapies

Abstract

This chapter provides a historical overview of the inception and evolution of postmodern ideas as they have informed the field of psychotherapy. While postmodernism as an intellectual stance predates its influence in therapeutic contexts, the 1980s and 1990s can be identified as revolutionary times for theorists and practitioners in the field. During that period, challenges to the modernist assumptions of objectivity, Truth, and universality were in full force in the humanities and social sciences. These dialogues opened the door to a new range of therapeutic theories and practices. This chapter traces the resulting trajectory from an initial therapeutic focus on language, to explorations in relational process, and then to the location of therapeutic resources. Finally, the potentials of postmodern therapies to adequately address the challenges of the 21st century are considered. Among the issues of focal importance are the challenge of systemic threat and the rudderless future invited by multiplicity.

Published By

Routledge

Editor(s)

O. Smoliak, E. Tseliou, T. Strong, S. Bava, and Peter Muntigl

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