Narrative Therapy
When was the last time you paused to consider the stories you tell about yourself and your life?
Narrative therapy capitalizes on this question and our storytelling tendencies. The goal is to uncover opportunities for growth and development, find meaning, and understand ourselves better.
We use stories to inform others, connect over shared experiences, say when we feel wronged, and even to sort out our thoughts and feelings. Stories organize our thoughts, help us find meaning and purpose, and establish our identity in a confusing and sometimes lonely world. Thus, it is important to realize what stories we are telling ourselves, and others, when we talk about our lives.
What is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy is a form of therapy that aims to separate the individual from the problem, allowing the individual to externalize their issues rather than internalize them.
It relies on the individual’s own skills and sense of purpose to guide them through difficult times (Narrative Therapy, 2017).
This form of therapy was developed in the 1980s by Michael White and David Epston (About Narrative Therapy, n.d.).
They believed that separating a person from their problematic or destructive behavior was a vital part of treatment (Michael White (1948-2008), 2015).
Narrative therapy is respectful.
This therapy respects the agency and dignity of every client. It requires each client to be treated as an individual who is not deficient, not defective, or not “enough” in any way.
Individuals who engage in narrative therapy are brave people who recognize issues they would like to address in their lives.
Narrative therapy is non-blaming.
In this form of therapy, clients are never blamed for their problems, and they are encouraged not to blame others as well. Problems emerge in everyone’s lives due to a variety of factors; in narrative therapy, there is no point in assigning fault to anyone or anything.
Narrative therapy separates people from their problems, viewing them as whole and functional individuals who engage in thought patterns or behavior that they would like to change.
Narrative therapy views the client as the expert.
In narrative therapy, the therapist does not occupy a higher social or academic space than the client. It is understood that the client is the expert in their own life, and both parties are expected to go forth with this understanding.
Only the client knows their own life intimately and has the skills and knowledge to change their behavior and address their issues (Morgan, 2000).
The information on this page has been sourced from PositivePsychology.com.