Towards Positions of Safe Uncertainty

Barry-Mason

Abstract

This paper explores the place of certainty and uncer- tainty in therapeutic practice. It suggests that, for many, there has been a theoretical shift in the field of family therapy from a first to a second order perspective. To remain coherent with this shift in thinking requires a shift in practice in relation to this different way of thinking. The paper proposes one way of working towards this coherence through the use of a simple framework for working with uncertainty and highlights its application for a number of different contexts including training.

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