So what is narrative therapy? Narrative therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and how they shape their identities and relationships. Narrative therapy assumes that people are not defined by their problems, but rather have many skills, values, and abilities that can help them overcome challenges and create positive change.
One of the key ideas of narrative therapy is that people are not passive victims of their circumstances, but active agents who can influence their own outcomes. Narrative therapists believe that people construct meaning through the stories they tell themselves and others about their experiences. These stories can be influenced by various factors, such as culture, society, family, media, etc. Sometimes, these stories can become dominant and oppressive, limiting people's sense of possibilities and options. For example, a person who has experienced trauma may tell themselves a story that they are damaged, helpless, or unworthy.
Narrative therapy aims to help people identify these dominant stories, and to co-create alternative stories that are more empowering and hopeful. Narrative therapists do this by using various techniques, such as:
- Externalizing: This involves separating the person from the problem, and giving the problem a name. For example, instead of saying "I am depressed", a person may say "I have been struggling with depression". This helps the person see the problem as something outside of themselves, that they can resist and change.
- Deconstructing: This involves questioning the assumptions and influences behind the dominant stories, and exploring how they affect the person's life. For example, a person may ask themselves: "Where did this story come from? Who benefits from this story? How does this story affect my relationships, goals, and choices?"
- Mapping: This involves identifying the effects of the problem on different aspects of the person's life, such as their emotions, behaviors, thoughts, values, etc. For example, a person may map how depression affects their mood, energy, motivation, self-esteem, etc.
- Re-authoring: This involves finding exceptions to the dominant stories, and highlighting the person's strengths, achievements, values, and preferences. For example, a person may recall times when they felt happy, confident, or successful, and what they did to cope with depression.
- Re-membering: This involves reconnecting with significant people in the person's life who have supported them or witnessed their positive qualities. For example, a person may invite a friend or a family member to share their perspective on the person's story.
- Documenting: This involves creating tangible records of the alternative stories, such as letters, certificates, photos, etc. For example, a person may write a letter to themselves or to someone else about their new story.
Narrative therapy can be used with individuals, couples, families, groups, or communities. It can help people deal with various issues, such as trauma, abuse, grief, addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. Narrative therapy can also promote social justice and empowerment by addressing the broader contexts and structures that shape people's stories.
Narrative therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is flexible and collaborative. It respects the person's unique experiences and preferences. It invites the person to be the expert of their own life. It honors the person's creativity and agency.
Further reading:
"Narrative Therapy: The Social Construction of Preferred Realities" by Jill Freedman and Gene Combs. This book provides an overview of narrative therapy, including its theoretical foundations, techniques, and applications. It includes case examples and dialogues to illustrate how narrative therapy works in practice.
"Narrative Therapy in Practice: The Archaeology of Hope" by Laura Beres. This book offers a detailed exploration of the various techniques used in narrative therapy, such as re-authoring, externalizing, and deconstructing. It also discusses how narrative therapy can be adapted for different populations, such as children, couples, and communities.
"Re-authoring Lives: Interviews and Essays" by Michael White. This book is a collection of interviews and essays by Michael White, one of the founders of narrative therapy. It provides insights into his personal and professional journey, as well as his philosophy and approach to therapy.
"Narrative Therapy with Couples and Families: A Practitioner's Guide" by Shona Russell and David Epston. This book focuses on how narrative therapy can be applied to working with couples and families. It offers case examples and practical tips on how to facilitate collaborative conversations and co-create alternative stories.
"Handbook of Narrative Therapy" edited by Lynne Angus and Jeanne L. McKechnie. This book is a comprehensive resource on narrative therapy, featuring contributions from leading experts in the field. It covers various topics, such as the history of narrative therapy, its cultural and ethical dimensions, and its applications in diverse contexts.