Narrative Therapy
Separates a person from their problems and connects them with their values and skills in order to overcome challenges.
Narrative therapy has been developed as an empowering and collaborative form of therapy which separates the person from the problem centres people as the experts of their own lives, and encourages people to rely on their own skill sets to help guide change in their lives.Developed by Michael White and David Epston, two family therapists, a key foundation to narrative therapy is that “the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem”.This model of therapy proposes that throughout life, personal experiences are transformed into personal stories that are given meaning and act to shape how we act, think, feel and make sense of our experiences.As such, narrative therapy is interested in the stories we live by, the stories we carry with us about who we are and what is most important to us.
Rather than transforming the person, narrative therapy seeks to transform the effects of a problem, by drawing upon the many skills, abilities, values, beliefs and competencies that a person possesses.There is compelling evidence to suggest that simply telling one’s story of a problem is a form of action towards meaningful change.Through the telling and retelling of significant, personal stories, a therapist and client work together to build upon ‘alternative’ or ‘preferred’ storylines that exist beyond the ‘problem story’.Focus is drawn to discovering the often-hidden stories of intentions, hopes, dreams, strengths and desires that can act to guide and enrich a person’s life despite the set-backs.Narrative therapists are interested and committed to working with clients to help reduce the influences of problem stories, and with curiosity and exploration help a person experience positive change through the recognition of hidden possibilities and unseen story-lines.
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