Journal Potuguese Release - February 2024 - Flipbook - Page 40
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the ghost and its “Fired” sign. Daniel says: "Poor guy" and "Mom, we're firing him
from home too!"
With a social constructionist sensibility, narrative therapy assumes that the self is
relational. Within the plasticity of relationships, we build reciprocal identities,
shaped by contextually-situated linguistic descriptions. Thus, Daniel's interest and
initiative, in a safe and inclusive environment, transform him into a boy-artist,
now accompanied by a smart mother who, less confused by her feelings of
incompetence and guilt, becomes someone who knows how to take action
(welcoming, encouraging, believing, hoping). Therefore, the Giant who abandons
that relationship is one of misunderstanding, impotence, and pain.
The self-confident artist-boy prepares to paint another ghost: “I do. It will be all
blue. Blue is the color of calmness, right mom?”
“Ghost of Calmness.”
Since we were at that moment on the verge of social isolation due to COVID-19,
we suspended face-to-face meetings and sought to build communication via
WhatsApp, through messages and audio, since the video camera sessions proved
to be unproductive for the participation of the children. Contacts were more
frequently aimed at supporting Aurora's concerns regarding Daniel's growing lack
of interest in online classes. Still, mother and son agreed that the Ghost of Fury
was still diminishing. In this period of confinement, the interaction between the
two children deteriorated, slipping easily into conflict. I suggested that Brother
Leo be invited to participate in a face-to-face meeting and we all committed to
this meeting, respecting the health standards for disease prevention.
The Bad and the Good Ghosts: A Story of Reauthoring in Narrative Therapy with Children
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, February 2024 Release, www.journalnft.com, p. 2446.