Narrative Therapy

What is Narrative Therapy?

Narrative therapy is an approach to counselling which focuses on the stories of people’s lives.

It helps people to find ways to change their relationships to the problems or difficulties they are facing. It assumes that people have many skills and abilities that will help them to reduce the influence of problems.

In narrative therapy:

Problems are seen as separate to people.
Those seeking therapy are treated as experts in their own lives.
People are seen as being active in response to life’s difficulties.
Ideas of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ are put aside and diversity is celebrated.
Each conversation can take many rich and creative directions – there
is no one ‘correct’ direction.
Work may involve linking the person with others who may
be supportive.
Letter writing may be used as an effective part of therapy.
An approach is used that is mindful of how society’s ideas about gender, religion, race, family, culture, age, and sexuality influence people’s experiences of life.

Who is Narrative Therapy suitable for?

People find narrative therapy helpful when dealing with a whole range of problems, such as:

sadness
anger
panic
fear
loss
distress caused by voices, visions or paranoia
eating difficulties
ongoing effects of abuse
other types of trauma.

What does it involve?

In narrative therapy, problems are defined and described by the person seeking help as opposed to being defined, described or diagnosed by
an ‘expert’.

With a focus on the person’s intentions, hopes, dreams, values, commitments, skills and knowledge, narrative therapy is recovery focused and can be helpful for those feeling stuck in moving forward with
their lives.