Remembering the Future: Situating Oneself in a Constantly Evolving Field

Abstract

Fields of knowledge are constantly evolving. The postmodern turn in the social sciences and the influence of social constructionism have greatly affected the field of family therapy over the past 30 years. In this retrospective view of the evolution of family therapy, I examine some of the critical changes, including not only major theoretical considerations but also sociopolitical issues. I question the current state of family therapy education, and I further raise the question of how a postmodern, social constructionist, narrative approach can serve our students and our clients. I propose that not only situating ourselves in the epistemology that is shaping us but also maintaining a questioning stance that allows us to continually ask ourselves in what discourse we are standing will serve us well, not only now in times of uncertainty but perhaps far into the future.