Narrative Therapy

Chapter 15 Summary:

Narrative therapists have a heavy focus on the stories we create within our lives. Clients will seek out this type of therapy because the stories do not line up with their hopes and expectations of their lives. There is also a heavy cultural awareness with this style as the therapist is very aware of the issues of social justice and power. Questioning is a key part of the style as it helps to separate the person from the problem. Michael White and David Epston are the two most commonly known individuals associated with Narrative Therapy. 

How it applies: 

I feel like I have noticed narrative therapy without realizing what it actually was. Students often come to college and then to my office talking about what all their hopes and expectations were of college. More than likely, their reality of college is not what they hoped for. As a result, I have to help them work through what their reality is. Questioning is something I find helpful as it helps present things in a different light to them in way in which they realize for themselves rather than me telling them directly.

Video:

Narrative Session with Dr. Madigan and David about Taunting

In this video, the young boy David is struggling with taunting problems. The therapist, Dr. Madigan, makes an interesting suggestion of each of them writing letters or emails. The unique though is that is he says they are not letter but stories. David can keep these stories and can go back and read them whenever he is struggling with the taunting issue.