Editing Externalization (psychology) (section)

==Narrative therapy==
{{Main|Narrative therapy}}
{{Broader|Reification (Marxism)}}Narrative therapy offers another perspective on the practical role of externalization. In this approach, externalization plays a significant role as a discursive and linguistic practice, helping patients engage in the therapeutic process.<ref>{{Cite book |last=White |first=Micheal |title=Narrative means to therapeutic ends |last2=Epston |first2=David |date=1990 |publisher=New York : Norton |isbn=978-0393700985 |publication-date=1990}}</ref> This method requires the individual receiving therapy to have a certain degree of self-identity and interaction with cultural narratives, allowing them to actively participate in the dialogue and truly separate themselves from their problems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Semmler |first=Pamela Lucey |last2=Williams |first2=Carmen Braun |date=2000 |title=Narrative Therapy: A Storied Context for Multicultural Counseling |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.2161-1912.2000.tb00227.x |journal=Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development |language=en |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=51–62 |doi=10.1002/j.2161-1912.2000.tb00227.x |issn=2161-1912}}</ref> It enables patients to alleviate anxiety to varying degrees, improve mental health,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hilker |first=Carl F. |date=June 5, 2013 |title=Making Trouble for Problems: Therapeutic Assumptions and Research Behind the Narrative Practice of Externalizing Conversations |url=https://narrativeapproaches.com/resources/academic-resources-2/182-2/ |access-date= |website=narrativeapproaches.com}}</ref> and explore different forms of social constructions, thereby creating more diverse narrative possibilities and broadening opportunities for life choices.

[[Michael White (psychotherapist)|Michael White]] states that the problem of the client is externalized, to alter the client's [[Point of view (philosophy)|point of view]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gladding |first=Samuel |author-link= |url= |title=Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice |date=2018 |publisher=Pearson |isbn= |edition=7 |page=347 |quote=In externalization, the problem is the problem. As such, it becomes objective and can be addressed in unique ways (White, 1991). Externalization separates the person from the problem and permits the problem to be viewed from a variety of perspectives and contexts.}}</ref>