From Not-knowing to Both-Knowing: An Exploration of a Both-Knowing Approach on Counsellor Presence

As an emerging collaborative constructionist counsellor, it became clear to me early on in my studies that I would strive to adopt Michael White’s (2005) “decentred and influential” positioning as part of my practice. In my personal and professional spheres, I hold on tightly to the value of curiosity and the belief that people are experts in their own lives, thus it has become central to my practice to privilege client expertise and not assume I have the answers to the client’s problem – an integral component of a “decentred and influential” positioning (D’Arcy & Holmes, 2019; Ilic, 2017; White, 2005). This component, often referred to as a “not-knowing” approach was first coined by Anderson and Goolishian (1992), and fitting with the post-structuralist belief that knowledge is subjective, it posits that counsellors should communicate ‘abundant generous curiosity’ towards their client and not try to fit their client into their own “knowing” i.e. theories and knowledge (Ilic, 2017). Instead, those practitioners who adopt a ‘not-knowing’ approach, and a decentred and influential positioning invite clients to reflect on their own stories, values and knowledge. This may create an opportunity for the client to feel that they have the agency, skills and resources to be able to live their preferred life (D’Arcy & Holmes, 2019; White, 2005). It is important for me to highlight that the concepts I have been referring to are foundational principles of narrative therapy, a model largely developed by Michael White in the 1970s and 80s (Morgan, 2000). A narrative approach strongly influences my framework of practice and the values I work within.