Narrative Therapy

What to Expect During Narrative Therapy 

• Collaborative Relationship: The therapist will work with the client as a collaborator rather than an expert. The focus is on exploring the client’s experiences and stories together, with the therapist facilitating rather than directing the process.

• Externalizing the Problem: In Narrative Therapy, problems are viewed as separate from the person. The therapist will help the client externalize the issue, often by giving it a name and discussing it as something outside of themselves. This process helps to reduce feelings of blame and shame and allows the client to view the problem more objectively.

• Exploring Dominant and Alternative Stories: The client will explore the dominant narratives that have shaped their identity and experiences, particularly those that may be limiting or problematic. The therapist will also help the client discover alternative stories—narratives that highlight their strengths, values, and abilities, which might have been overshadowed by the dominant story.

• Rewriting Personal Narratives: The client will be encouraged to re-author or rewrite their personal narratives in a way that reflects their preferred outcomes and a more empowered sense of self. This process can involve identifying moments when the client acted in ways that contradict the problem story, thus creating new, more positive narratives.

• Focus on Meaning-Making: Narrative Therapy places a strong emphasis on the meaning the client gives to their experiences. The therapist will help the client reflect on these meanings, question unhelpful interpretations, and create new, more constructive meanings that support their well-being.

• Empowerment and Agency: The overall goal of Narrative Therapy is to empower the client by helping them see themselves as the authors of their own stories. Clients often leave therapy with a greater sense of control over their lives and a stronger belief in their ability to shape their future.

• Use of Questions and Conversations: The sessions will likely involve a lot of open-ended questions from the therapist designed to help the client explore their stories deeply. The therapist may ask about the origins of certain beliefs, how the problem has impacted their life, and times when they have successfully resisted the problem.

Overall, clients in Narrative Therapy can expect a respectful, non-judgmental environment where they are encouraged to explore and reshape their personal narratives in a way that promotes healing and personal growth.