What is Narrative Therapy?
“You are not the problem, the problem is the problem” is a belief and foundational statement in the practice of Narrative Therapy. With over 10 years of experience as a mental health professional, Narrative therapy is my go-to modality in session.
What is Narrative Therapy?
There are many different therapeutic modalities in psychology. Narrative therapy is a postmodern approach to therapy that views people separate from their problems.
This style of therapy views peoples’ lives as stories, and believes that people are capable of reauthoring their own narratives to create positive change and be the expert in their story.
History of Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is based on the idea that people’s lives are made of many different stories.
In the 1980s Michael White, an Australian social worker, and David Epston, a therapist based in New Zealand, developed narrative therapy together.
Through their counseling work, White and Epston realized how the disparaging language and narratives people told themselves was detrimental to a person’s mental health.
Narrative therapy aims to help people question the dominant narratives in their problem saturated story, and explore a new narrative or an alternative story that aligns with who they want to be. The alternative story provides an opportunity for the person to be in control, rather than the problem being in control.
Key concepts in Narrative Therapy
Externalize oneself from the problem, or the problem saturated narrative
Deconstruct the problem saturated or dominant stories/narratives into smaller parts
Explore unique outcomes that can reframe one's view and move towards the alternative story
Rewrite the problem saturated or dominant storylines with the alternative story
Rediscover one's meaning and purpose within a person’s narrative and storylines
What are the benefits of Narrative Therapy?
There are many benefits to this postmodern approach.
For instance, a narrative therapist does not take the stance of an expert. They believe the client is the expert in their life and the therapist is here to be a collaborative partner who will help the client grow, heal and discover their best self.
To feel in control of the re-authoring of one's story is incredibly empowering.
Another benefit to this style of therapy is its non-blaming approach.
The client is never blamed as they work through the challenges that arise in the dominant story. They are also encouraged to not blame others, but rather focus on increasing awareness and changing the unhelpful narratives that no longer serve them.
Narrative therapy clients are respected and praised for their bravery as they look at how to reauthor the problem saturated story.
What is the Goal of Narrative Therapy?
The ultimate goal of narrative therapy is to help people create new and positive stories about their life.
By identifying the alternative stories and broadening one's views of self, a client may shift their mindset and feel empowered to change old and unhealthy beliefs.
What is the Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy can be effective to individuals, couples, and families dealing with a variety of different conditions. In my own work, I have witnessed narrative therapy helping individuals with:
Eating problems
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Emotional dysregulation and anger
Addiction
Narrative therapy is a research-based approach. Here is some evidence supporting the benefits of narrative therapy:
A quasi-experimental (non-randomized) study to measure effects on an adult population with depression receiving a narrative therapy intervention called “The story of your life” showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms and higher mastery compared to a waiting list group [1].
In a 2020 study of adults with depression and anxiety who were treated with narrative therapy, the participants experienced improvements in self-reported quality of life and decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression [2].
A narrative therapy study performed in 2016 revealed effectiveness in helping children improve empathy, decision-making, and social skills [3].
Points to ponder:
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I often find myself using narrative techniques, because it allows people to reshape their narratives and find solutions to the problems they are up against.
My LMFT graduate program was very much rooted in narrative therapy, and I attended a narrative therapy training in San Francisco led by Stephen Madigan - an award winning Narrative therapist who opened the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy, the first narrative therapy training site in the Northern Hemisphere.
Additionally, as a regular person who has attended therapy as a child and adult, I appreciate the creative and empowering nature of narrative therapy when the most challenging and vulnerable moments of your story.
