From a social constructionist perspective, which techniques would the counselor most likely use in early sessions?

• A. Social Model and Problem Solving
• B. Deconstruction and Reauthoring
• C. Empowering Techniques and Gender Role Analysis
• D. Homework Assignment and Two-Chair Techniques

Answer: (C)

In social constructionist work, the early sessions focus on how people create meaning through language and social norms, and on empowering clients to question those norms and claim their own voice. The combination of empowering techniques and gender role analysis fits that aim best because it directly builds the client’s sense of agency while examining how societal expectations around gender shape their experiences.

Empowering techniques foster a collaborative stance, invite clients to articulate their strengths and goals, and encourage them to participate actively in shaping their therapy. This aligns with the social constructionist view that clients are co-creators of their realities, not passive subjects of a diagnosis or problem.

Gender role analysis then helps clients uncover how cultural scripts about gender influence problems, choices, and opportunities. By naming and examining these gendered expectations, clients can begin to see alternative narratives and possibilities, effectively re-authoring their stories within a social context.

While deconstruction and reauthoring are valuable within social constructionist and narrative approaches, they are often more central as later steps in revisiting and reshaping narratives. The other options introduce methods that are less aligned with the early, language-and-power focus of social constructionism, prioritizing practical problem-solving, different therapeutic models, or techniques not central to this perspective.