In order to consider reinventing and inventing theoretical ideas within clinical practice, I engage with a particular language strategy. I have called this language strategy the relational externalising conversational process. When we use the relational externalising conversational process, we move into a relational paradigm. This relational paradigm acts to construct a "relational I". The "relational I" is a direct challenge to the Western cultural construction of self, which presupposes an autonomous self-regulated self. The relational externalising enquiry challenges psychological ideas which are linguistically constructed and maintained by the conventional rules of correct English usage. When we engage with the relational externalising enquiry, we are in a position to consider the coherence of the theoretical representations of the therapeutic work. The relational externalising enquiry supports the establishment of a climate for discovery. We can thus continually engage with the relationship between theoretical ideas, clinical practice and ethics. This protects us from a process of conversion by the self-referential logic of one set of ideas that challenge the self-referential logic of another set of ideas. This climate of discovery refutes the idea that it is possible to ever engage with a formed and complete model. Instead, we engage in an ongoing evolution of theoretical ideas in relationship to clinical practice. (Note 4)

The title of the book "The Heart's Narrative" reflects my particular engagement with technical skills and intellectual ideas which support my relationship with therapeutic practice. The complexity and challenge of the therapeutic work I represent is centered in our persistent living engagement with ethics. A living engagement with ethics moves us outside of compliance with the traditional professional position which engages us with linguistic strategies that internalise lived experiences. Internalisation captures the individual as solely responsible and culpable for the psychological development of concerns; the individual is thus available for scrutiny, evaluation, diagnosis and intervention by the detached psychological expert. The conventions of the English language thus generate the traditional professional position which captures these people as "other". The "other" is outside of normal, often medicated in an attempt to find normal, and counselled back to normal.

In moving outside of the traditional professional position, I am challenged to move beyond a two dimensional relationship with the significant ideas that I hold, i.e. respect, honouring and collaboration. The ongoing negotiation of these ideas in the practice of the therapeutic relationship requires me to ongoingly engage with the practice of ethics.

"The Heart's Narrative" is my attempt to provide technical and intellectual tools to support both or all participants in the therapeutic relationship to engage as a subject with a subject. Within this therapeutic environment I am able to bring to the therapeutic work the total resources of my mind, heart and spirit.