EXTERNALISING CONVERSATIONS: THE STATEMENT OF POSITION MAP 1 This map provides a structure that: Externalises the problem Acknowledges the full effects of the problem on a person’s life Distances the person from the immediacy of the problem. Identifies a non-problem place for the person to stand in.

CHARACTERISTICS or NAMING (of the problem) Characterisation of a problem gives it boundaries – it’s then possible to stand outside them Questions should elicit an externalised description that is experience-near (e.g. “the black depths”, “the pounce of the wolf monster”, “a lurking suspicion of my mothers love”) rather than experience distant (e.g. “depression”, “temper tantrum”, “attachment disorder”) Experience-near descriptions promote primary authorship by the person describing the problem - where experience distant descriptions pass expertise and problem solving abilities to others.

Other possible questions might include: “What would you call this kind of problem?” “How big/What colour/What shape/Which gender is this problem?” “What does it remind you of?” “What image comes to mind when you think of it?” “Could you draw a picture of this problem for me?” “If this problem were a person who/what would you call him/her?” “Is this problem a mere irritation or something more dangerous?”

2. CONNECTIONS TO or EFFECTS OF (the problem) These questions continue to separate the problem from the person as the problem is connected to it’s effects, it’s foundations, it’s allies etc (e.g. Has the wolf monster affected your friendships? Have the black depths made a difference to your relationship with your young son? Have those lurking suspicions been influencing your mood? How did the black depths first get a grip on you? Did they team up with disappointment or resentment?) These questions also provide an opportunity to fully acknowledge the problem’s history, modus operandi and negative effects on a person’s life and relationships. It ensures the complexitiy of a persons experience can be given voice to

Other connecting questions might include: “Have you ever had to face a challenge of this size before?” “What effects has the problem had on other peoples lives?” “Has the problem tried to convince you of things about yourself? Or about others?” “How has the problem had you acting/talking/thinking/feeling?” What is it besides your body that is hurt by the bullying?

3. POSITION ON or EXPERIENCE OF (the problem and its effects) Ask about their experience of, evaluation of and position on the problem and it’s effects. This position will further separate the person from the problem. e.g. “Who would you rather have in charge of your life – the wolf monster or you?” “Does the wolf monster have his own interests at heart or yours?” “What’s it been like to share your life with the black depths? This positioning is a springboard for questions about different preferences in life. It also accounts for the presence of initiatives - actions or events that do not fit the problem story.

Other possible questions: “Would you say these effects are positive or negative? Or both? Or neither?” Does it add to your life or subtract from it? ”Do these effects support your life or the problem’s life?” “What would you say about the character of something that goes around upsetting people’s lives?”

4. VALUES (of the person that provide a context for their position) Why do you experience the problem in this kind of way? Why do you take this position on the problem? These questions seek to understand the basis for the persons declared position. (E.g. Why is it you’d rather be in charge of your life than have the wolf monster in charge of it?”) They provide a foundation for action that is based on the person’s own intentions and values. (E.g. ”What kind of life are you interested in that’s at odds with the life that lurking suspicions wants for you? They prevent the therapist being the primary author of WHY something has to be done.

Other possible questions might include: “What does this position reflect about the things that are important to you?” “How do your values differ from the values the problem holds?” “What hopes or ambitions is the problem trying to sabotage?” What purposes do you have for your life that are under threat here? How have you become so clear about this? What experiences have you had that helped clarify that a different kind of life would suit you? Did you have some plans for your life that don’t fit with the plans of the black depths?