What is Narrative Therapy?

A core component of Narrative Therapy is the belief that people and problems are separate things. This is important because often the ways in which we (or other people) talk about problems in our lives locates these problems in us. When we see ourselves as problems, it can be hard to take action against these problems because it means taking action against ourselves. When we think about ourselves and problems as separate things, it gives us space to get a good look at what is going on. Problems can come into our lives for all sorts of reasons and influence them in all sorts of ways. By taking time to explore and map out the influence of problems on our lives we can hopefully begin to think about what we would like to do about them.

Sometimes problems are not solely unhelpful. They can point to dilemmas or things that are not quite balanced in our lives. They can teach us things, about ourselves, others, what is important to us and why. Sometimes problems can feel incredibly scary and overwhelming. Narrative therapy aims to provide a way to have conversations about problems that hopefully makes them feel less scary and less overwhelming. It hopes to help us to have difficult conversations in ways that make us feel stronger, or more empowered.

Narrative therapy believes that problems can also rob us or obscure us of our strengths and abilities. As well as thinking about how problems affect our lives, sometimes it can also be useful to reconnect with aspects of our identity that may have been forgotten or we have lost touch with because of the influence of problems.

Narrative therapy is a very creative approach, and can involve conversation, drawing and writing, play and acting.

I completed my Level 1 in Narrative Therapy with the Institute of Narrative Therapy in April 2019. I will be completing my Level 2 in Narrative Therapy with the Institute of Narrative Therapy from April-July 2022. You can find out more information about narrative therapy here: dulwichcentre.com.au/what-is-narrative-therapy/