What is Narrative Therapy

My counselling practice is most predominantly shaped by Narrative Therapy. So, I wanted to share a short introduction about what narrative therapy is:

Narrative therapy is relational. We become who we are through our relationships and the meaning we make about our experiences and interactions with others (as well as with ourselves, with animals, with nature etc.).

As a narrative therapist I believe that “the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.” Narrative practice seeks to externalise problems and maintains the people are separate to the problems they face.

As a narrative therapist, I also believe that you are the expert in your own life. I work with you from the position of being a “co-researcher” in your life. I will not tell you my “expert” opinion on what is going on for you. Rather, I work alongside you to help you to define and understand your story and the problems you are facing through your own words, experiences and worldview.

Another key belief in narrative practice is that we understand and organise our lives through stories, and these stories are shaped by the social, cultural and political contexts that we live in. Our lives are multi-storied - there are multiple different stories that can be told about the same event.

So, what can you expect in a session with me?

• I aim to understand and join you in your worldview and understanding of the problems you are encountering

• I rarely give advice or strategies, unless you specifically ask for them, and if I do, I give them as a suggestion only

• I view the problem you are experiencing as something that can be viewed externally to yourself