_____________ is a technique used in narrative therapy to get people to examine possible aspects of a problem before the need arises.

_____________ is a technique used in narrative therapy to get people to examine possible aspects of a problem before the need arises.

• A. preventative saturation
• B. predicting setbacks
• C. raising dilemmas
• D. influencing the individual on the problem

Answer: (C)

Raising dilemmas is a future-oriented technique in narrative therapy that invites clients to imagine potential forks in their story before problems actually arise. By presenting hypothetical situations and tensions, the therapist helps someone explore alternate meanings, choices, and outcomes, which broadens the range of stories they can tell about themselves. This pre-emptive exploration reduces a single, problem-saturated narrative and strengthens a sense of agency by rehearsing different responses and pathways ahead of time. For example, a therapist might invite the client to consider how they would handle a presentation if things started to go off-script, what they could learn from that experience, and how their self-definition would shift as a result. This kind of questioning makes the future feel navigable and supports re-authoring toward a more flexible, empowered narrative. The other options don’t fit this practice as well because they either describe terms not commonly used in narrative therapy or imply a different focus (predicting setbacks, directing the client about the problem, or a vague notion of saturation) rather than the proactive exploration of possible futures and alternative narratives that raising dilemmas specifically targets.

Raising dilemmas is a future-oriented technique in narrative therapy that invites clients to imagine potential forks in their story before problems actually arise. By presenting hypothetical situations and tensions, the therapist helps someone explore alternate meanings, choices, and outcomes, which broadens the range of stories they can tell about themselves. This pre-emptive exploration reduces a single, problem-saturated narrative and strengthens a sense of agency by rehearsing different responses and pathways ahead of time.

For example, a therapist might invite the client to consider how they would handle a presentation if things started to go off-script, what they could learn from that experience, and how their self-definition would shift as a result. This kind of questioning makes the future feel navigable and supports re-authoring toward a more flexible, empowered narrative.

The other options don’t fit this practice as well because they either describe terms not commonly used in narrative therapy or imply a different focus (predicting setbacks, directing the client about the problem, or a vague notion of saturation) rather than the proactive exploration of possible futures and alternative narratives that raising dilemmas specifically targets.