Houston Galveston Institute
Encyclopedia
The Houston Galveston Institute is a non-profit organization that offers a method of collaborative counseling and postmodern therapy to individuals, families and communities of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The Institute is strongly associated with Collaborative Language Systems (or Collaborative Therapy), a type of postmodern therapy that works with clients within a cooperative partnership that holds their expertise in high regard, and that encourages them to access their own natural resources to develop solutions to their problems. The Houston Galveston Institute is a sponsor of the International Journal of Collaborative Practices.
in Galveston, Texas
with the federally funded family therapy project to research the Multiple Impact Theory. In 1978, the Galveston Family Institute was established by Harlene Anderson
, Ph.D., Paul Dell, Ph.D., Harold Goolishian, Ph.D. and George Pulliam, M.S.W. to meet the demands of mental health professionals seeking to increase their understanding of families and further develop their skills in systems-oriented therapy with individuals, couples, families and groups. From this group, the ideas of Collaborative Language System Theory emerged. The institute officially became the Houston Galveston Institute
in the 1990s when the project expanded beyond Galveston. Other contributors are Diane Gehart, Sue Levin, Diana Carleton, Lynn Hoffmann, Tom Andersen, Vivien Burr, John Cromby, Kenneth Gergen, Mary Gergen
, Lois Holzman, Imelda McCarthy, Susan McDaniel, Sheila McNamee, Robert Neimeyer, David Nightingale, Peggy Penn, Sallyann Roth, Jaakko Seikkula, John Shotter, Lois Shawver, and Michael White
.
and is included in graduate school textbooks. Some of the general philosophic assumptions of the theory are:
These assumptions are post-modern in nature and inform the clinical practice of the Collaborative Therapy approach. The following list is of the various impacts that these assumptions have on the therapist and therapeutic relationship.
Collaborative therapy shares similar epistemological roots with Narrative Therapy
and Solution-Focused Therapy. These therapies are similar, yet distinct. An article by Gehart & Paré summarizes the differences between the therapies in the following way: “In collaborative language systems, the “dis-solving” of problems through conversation (Anderson & Goolishian, 1988; Goolishian & Anderson, 1992), in narrative therapy, reauthoring one’s story about the problem (White 2004; White & Epston, 1990), and in solution-focused therapy (SFT), building solutions (Berg, 1994; de Shazer, 1994; Lipchik, 2002)”
currently is involved in the use of the Collaborative Approach in training, counseling and researching. The office is located in Houston’s museum district
and is serving the community
needs while training students from local, national and international programs. HGI also provides various training programs for mental health professionals who want to develop a collaborative and postmodern approach to therapeutic work with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and community.
. It is a response to the numerous practitioners around the world who are interested in expanding their knowledge and competency in collaborative practice. The Certificate Program provides practitioners across disciplines—therapy, organization development, education and research--an intensive, in-depth study of collaborative practices based on postmodern-social construction philosophy. The Program includes the study of the theoretical and philosophical assumptions and their application to practice in a variety of contexts and cultures. The program is offered in Brazil
, Colombia
, Czech Republic
, Germany
, China
, Mexico
, United States
, and Canada
. In 2009, the International Journal of Collaborative Practices was founded in order to publish the collaborative works developing worldwide.
History
The beginnings of the Houston Galveston Institute date back to the 1950s at the University of Texas Medical BranchUniversity of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch is a component of the University of Texas System located in Galveston, Texas, United States, about 50 miles southeast of Downtown Houston...
in Galveston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
with the federally funded family therapy project to research the Multiple Impact Theory. In 1978, the Galveston Family Institute was established by Harlene Anderson
Harlene Anderson
Harlene Anderson is an American psychologist. Along with Dr. Harold A. Goolishian , she developed a postmodern collaborative approach to therapy. She is recognized as a leader in the field of marriage and family therapy for her contributions to theory development, as well as innovative practices...
, Ph.D., Paul Dell, Ph.D., Harold Goolishian, Ph.D. and George Pulliam, M.S.W. to meet the demands of mental health professionals seeking to increase their understanding of families and further develop their skills in systems-oriented therapy with individuals, couples, families and groups. From this group, the ideas of Collaborative Language System Theory emerged. The institute officially became the Houston Galveston Institute
Houston Galveston Institute
The Houston Galveston Institute is a non-profit organization that offers a method of collaborative counseling and postmodern therapy to individuals, families and communities of all socioeconomic backgrounds...
in the 1990s when the project expanded beyond Galveston. Other contributors are Diane Gehart, Sue Levin, Diana Carleton, Lynn Hoffmann, Tom Andersen, Vivien Burr, John Cromby, Kenneth Gergen, Mary Gergen
Mary Gergen
Mary Gergen is an American social psychologist specializing in feminist studies womens' studies and social constructionism. Her contributions to the field of feminist studies, organization development Organization development, and social process are reflected in numerous books, journal articles,...
, Lois Holzman, Imelda McCarthy, Susan McDaniel, Sheila McNamee, Robert Neimeyer, David Nightingale, Peggy Penn, Sallyann Roth, Jaakko Seikkula, John Shotter, Lois Shawver, and Michael White
Michael White
- Academics :*Michael JD White , British zoologist*Michael White , inventor of narrative therapy*L. Michael White, American theologian*Michael White , English Communications Theorist- Journalism and literature :...
.
Collaborative Approach
This type of approach formed at Houston Galveston Institute takes the unique stance that “problems are not solved, but dissolved in language.” Collaborative therapy is now recognized as one of the current schools of family therapyFamily therapy
Family therapy, also referred to as couple and family therapy, family systems therapy, and family counseling, is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of...
and is included in graduate school textbooks. Some of the general philosophic assumptions of the theory are:
- Maintaining Skepticism – A critical attitude about how knowledge is ‘known’
- Eluding Generalizations – Avoid the dominant discourse
- Knowledge as an Interactive Social Process – Dialectic, conversational knowledge
- Privileging Local Knowledge – Persons and communities know themselves
- Language as a Creative Social Process – Language creates our knowledge
- Knowledge and Language as Transforming – Conversations change people
- Postmodern is only One of Many Narratives – One of many languages
These assumptions are post-modern in nature and inform the clinical practice of the Collaborative Therapy approach. The following list is of the various impacts that these assumptions have on the therapist and therapeutic relationship.
- Mutually Inquiring Conversational Partnership – Therapy as a partnership
- Relational Expertise – Client and therapist bring their expertise together
- Not-Knowing – Humility before the client
- Being Public – Therapist is open with their invisible thoughts
- Living with Uncertainty – Enjoy the spontaneity of a conversation
- Mutually Transforming – Hermeneutic circle, reciprocal effect on client and therapist
- Orienting towards Everyday Ordinary Life – Tap into natural resilience of clients.
Collaborative therapy shares similar epistemological roots with Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy
Narrative Therapy is a form of psychotherapy using narrative. It was initially developed during the 1970s and 1980s, largely by Australian Michael White and his friend and colleague, David Epston, of New Zealand....
and Solution-Focused Therapy. These therapies are similar, yet distinct. An article by Gehart & Paré summarizes the differences between the therapies in the following way: “In collaborative language systems, the “dis-solving” of problems through conversation (Anderson & Goolishian, 1988; Goolishian & Anderson, 1992), in narrative therapy, reauthoring one’s story about the problem (White 2004; White & Epston, 1990), and in solution-focused therapy (SFT), building solutions (Berg, 1994; de Shazer, 1994; Lipchik, 2002)”
Current Practice
The Houston Galveston InstituteHouston Galveston Institute
The Houston Galveston Institute is a non-profit organization that offers a method of collaborative counseling and postmodern therapy to individuals, families and communities of all socioeconomic backgrounds...
currently is involved in the use of the Collaborative Approach in training, counseling and researching. The office is located in Houston’s museum district
Museum District
Museum District may refer to one of several districts in various cities, so named for their concentration of museums:* Museum District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania* Houston Museum District in Houston, Texas...
and is serving the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
needs while training students from local, national and international programs. HGI also provides various training programs for mental health professionals who want to develop a collaborative and postmodern approach to therapeutic work with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and community.
International and National Affiliates
The Institute currently offers an International Certificate in Collaborative Practices program with participation around the world. The program is sponsored by the Houston Galveston Institute and the Taos InstituteTaos Institute
The Taos Institute is a non-profit educational organization, concerned with the social processes essential for the construction of reason, knowledge, and human value...
. It is a response to the numerous practitioners around the world who are interested in expanding their knowledge and competency in collaborative practice. The Certificate Program provides practitioners across disciplines—therapy, organization development, education and research--an intensive, in-depth study of collaborative practices based on postmodern-social construction philosophy. The Program includes the study of the theoretical and philosophical assumptions and their application to practice in a variety of contexts and cultures. The program is offered in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 2009, the International Journal of Collaborative Practices was founded in order to publish the collaborative works developing worldwide.
External links
- http://www.harleneanderson.org/
- http://www.collaborativecertificate.org/
- http://www.talkhgi.com//