Narrative therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on the stories or narratives people construct about their lives. I use this approach in my work with individuals, couples, and families. Narrative therapy interventions were developed in the 1980s by Michael White and David Epston. They are based on the idea that people’s problems and identities are shaped by the stories they tell themselves and others. Narrative therapy techniques aim to help individuals reframe and reauthor these stories in a way that empowers them and allows them to move toward their preferred outcomes.
I use narrative therapy as a primary approach and also as an adjunct to other therapeutic approaches. It can be used with families with older children, couples, and even coworkers in some circumstances. I also use it with some specialties, such as executive coaching and sports psychology.
Critical Principles of Narrative Therapy
This approach has specific principles that make it effective. The following are the keys to using narrative therapy techniques:
Narrative Therapy Externalizes Problems
Instead of seeing problems as inherent within the individual, narrative therapy interventions help individuals externalize their issues by separating them from their identity. This can help people see their problems as separate entities that they can address and change.
Deconstructing Dominant Narratives
In my work, I encourage clients to examine and challenge the dominant cultural and societal stories that may influence their self-perceptions and values. I then work with them to create alternatives highlighting their strengths, values, and preferred identities. This process can help clients find new ways of understanding themselves and their problems.
Narrative Therapy and Unique Outcomes
Narrative therapy recognizes that each person’s experience is unique. The therapist helps clients explore their unique perspectives and experiences. My job is to act as an “external witness” who listens without judgment and provides a safe space for clients to share their stories. This helps my clients feel heard and validated.
The Importance of Collaboration
In narrative therapy, you and I collaborate in the therapeutic process, with you taking an active role in shaping your life story. I am careful not to interject my opinions so my clients can explore their stories without judgment and interference.
As you can see, narrative therapy is a humanistic approach and can be easily combined with some of my other treatment approaches.
Narrative Therapy Process
Narrative therapy techniques are often interwoven with other humanistic methods, usually involving the following processes:
Scaffolding in Narrative Therapy Interventions
Narrative therapy interventions often involve therapeutic documents, such as letters, journals, or certificates. These help clients articulate and reinforce their preferred story. Much of this work is done as homework outside of sessions. This way, the self-exploration often continues well after therapy ends.
We’ll pay attention to the stories that are not being told, as these may hold vital information. I Encourage individuals to explore aspects of their experience that they might be overlooking or neglecting.
Mapping Influence in Narrative Therapy
We may create a visual representation of the relationships between different aspects of your life and their influence on each other. This can help you gain insights into the complexity of their experiences.
Reflective Questioning
I use open-ended and reflective questions to encourage individuals to explore their stories deeply, which can help them gain new perspectives and insights.
It’s important to note that narrative therapy interventions are a collaborative and non-pathologizing approach, meaning they don’t label individuals as “broken” or “disordered.” Instead, they focus on exploring personal narratives and the co-construction of alternative, more empowering stories. My job is to create a safe and respectful space for clients to explore and reshape their stories.
Narrative Therapy Uses
I use narrative therapy to address a variety of personal and emotional challenges. The focus is on helping individuals reframe their life stories and narratives in a more empowering way and align them with their values. Here are some common issues for which I choose this approach:
Narrative Therapy Interventions and Depression
Narrative therapy interventions can help individuals challenge and change the negative and self-defeating narratives that often accompany depression. People can improve their mental and emotional well-being by creating new, more positive stories about their lives. These techniques often pair well with cognitive behavioral therapy, reducing irrational and exaggerated thoughts based on the stories.
Narrative Therapy and Anxiety
I use this approach to help individuals reframe and reduce anxiety. This therapy helps them explore stories that contribute to their anxious thoughts and behaviors. Again, cognitive behavioral therapy is often mixed in to address the thinking leading to uneasy thoughts.
Narrative Therapy and Trauma
Individuals can process and make sense of traumatic experiences using nattative therapy. By giving people the opportunity to construct new stories, they can find ways to heal and move forward from their trauma. This approach is often paired with a trauma-specific process such as Eye movement desensitization. Although I do not do EMDR myself, I can work closely with someone who does in your treatment.
Relationship Issues and Narrative Therapy
I use this approach in couples or families with older children to explore and reframe relationship dynamics, address communication problems, and help individuals understand their roles in conflicts and challenges. In this case, we look for narratives in the diad or family that are “stuck” and causing stress between members.
Self-esteem and Self-identity
Narrative therapy can assist individuals in improving their self-esteem. It can challenge negative self-narratives and construct more positive and authentic self-identities. This approach pairs well with client-centered therapy and positive psychology, setting the stage for these issues to be safely uncovered.
Narrative Therapy Techniques and Grief and Loss
Narrative therapy techniques can help individuals process their grief by exploring the stories and memories they have of the person who passed away and the impact of the loss on their lives. This type of narrative therapy can be used with families or friend groups.
Identity and Cultural Issues
I help people use narrative therapy to navigate issues related to cultural identity, discrimination, and social justice. It allows individuals to explore how larger societal narratives have affected their sense of self and place in the world.
Personal Growth and Life Transitions
By reauthoring their life stories and goals, narrative therapy interventions can help individuals navigate major life transitions, such as career changes, retirement, or other significant shifts.
Narrative therapy techniques are highly adaptable and can be applied in individual, family, couples, and group therapy settings. I use them to empower individuals to become the authors of their own life stories, challenge limiting ideas, and create new, more positive, and preferred stories that align with their values and aspirations.
Conclusions and My Work
In my work, narrative therapy interventions are used to address a wide range of psychological and emotional issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. It can benefit individuals who feel stuck in negative self-perceptions or societal expectations. By changing their stories, clients can gain new perspectives, build resilience, and work toward positive change. I use it generally in individual, couples, and family work and with my clinical specialties such as executive coaching and sports psychology. I often combine narrative therapy with other approaches, such as schema therapy.
Narrative Therapy Techniques: Example
Here’s an example of how a narrative therapy session might unfold. This example is fictitious, purposely simple, and brief, but it gives a sense of how I would use narrative therapy techniques in practice.
Sarah is a 35-year-old woman experiencing low self-esteem at work and dissatisfaction with her career. She got a recent promotion, but a feeling of “imposter syndrome” has made it hard for her to enjoy it and be as proud and confident as she feels she should be.
Step One: Externalizing the Problem
- I ask, “Sarah, can you tell me more about what brings you here today?”
- “I feel like I’m not good enough at my job. When I compare myself to my colleagues, which I do often, I always fall short.”
- “It sounds like the feeling of ‘not being good enough’ is really affecting you. Let’s try to give that feeling a name. How about we call it the ‘Imposter in the mirror’? When did you first notice the Impotser in the mirror showing up in your life?”
- “I guess it’s been around for a long time, probably since I was a kid. I always felt like I had to be perfect to get approval from my parents and I never felt good enough or accomplished enough.”
Step Two: Mapping the Influence of the Problem
- I say, “So, the Imposter in the mirror has been around for quite some time. How has it affected different areas of your life?”
- “It makes me doubt myself at work, and I avoid taking on new challenges because I’m afraid I’ll fail. This also affects my relationships because I constantly seek validation from others.”
- “It sounds like it strongly influences many parts of your life. Let’s explore some instances where you could keep it at bay or didn’t have as much power over you.”
- “There was a time when I led a successful project at work. I felt confident and proud of my accomplishments.”
- “How did you keep the Imposter in the mirror from taking over?”
- “I think I was really passionate about the project, and I had a supportive team. I also received positive feedback from my manager, which boosted my confidence.”
- “Passion, support, and positive feedback helped you overcome the Imposter in the mirror. How can we use these elements to create a new story about your abilities and potential?”
Step Three: Reauthoring the Narrative
- I start, “Let’s start crafting a new story. Instead of focusing on the Imposter, we can highlight your strengths and achievements. For instance, ‘Sarah is a dedicated professional who excels when she is passionate about her work and supported by her team.’ How does that sound?
- “That sounds much more empowering. I like it.”
- Wonderful. How can you remind yourself of this new story in your daily life? What steps can you take to reinforce it?”
- “I can start by setting small, achievable goals at work and seeking feedback from my colleagues. I’ll also remind myself of past successes and focus on my strengths.”
- “That sounds like a great plan. You have the power to create and live out your own story.”
In this example, I use narrative therapy techniques to help Sarah externalize her problem, understand its impact, identify moments when she has successfully managed it, and reauthor her narrative to focus on her strengths and achievements. This process empowers Sarah to see herself in a new light and take proactive steps to reinforce her positive self-image.
If you have any questions about narrative therapy or closely related schema therapy, and how we might use it in our work together, feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation.
