Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that seeks to help people identify their values and the skills and knowledge they have to live these values, so they can effectively confront whatever problems they face. The narrative therapy approach views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, abilities, values, commitments, beliefs and competencies that will assist them in changing their relationship with the problems influencing their lives. A therapist who specializes in narrative therapy will help their client co-author a new narrative about themselves by investigating the history of those qualities. Narrative therapy is a respectful, non-judgmental, social justice approach that ultimately helps individuals to externalize their issues rather than internalize them. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s narrative therapy experts today.

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Narrative therapy is effective at helping clients who have experienced trauma. Mild traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition that affects people who have been exposed to a severe or life-threatening event. Narrative therapy helps clients to process their experiences and work through the trauma they've faced. It uses storytelling as a way to heal, which allows the client to use their own voice and create meaning from their experience.

— Katie Robey, Associate Clinical Social Worker in Los Gatos, CA

I look at narrative as figuring out the how and why behind things. It helps paint a holistic picture for me to best proceed in therapy treatments.

— Niyera Hewlett, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
 

Narrative therapy is a style of therapy that can help you become - and embrace being - an expert in you own life. In narrative therapy, there is an emphasis on the stories that you develop and carry with you through your life. As you experience events and interactions, you give meaning to those experiences and they, in turn, influence how you see yourself and the world. You can carry multiple stories at once, such as those related to your self-esteem, abilities, relationships, and work. Narrativ

— Drew Driver, Licensed Professional Counselor in Frisco, TX

This therapy approach helps clients identify their values and use them to confront present and future problems. I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives and the problem is the problem (not the person). For example, instead of someone being “a depressed person” I see it as someone who “lives with depression”. Narrative therapy is especially empowering for BIPOC communities and LGBTQIA+ because it navigates systems steeped in racism, homophobia, white supremacy, and patriarchy.

— Samantha Schumann, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA
 

I utilize Narrative Therapy to help clients uncover negative self talk and the internal shaming inner critic. Narrative Therapy helps clients become embrace being an expert in their own life. I empower clients to reframe negative narratives into positive ones to effectively view themselves in a more positive light. Negative narratives are a large drive in low self esteem and self worth. As clients develop positive narratives instead, they gradually develop more confidence and higher self esteem.

— Cindy Hyde, Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, TX

Narrative therapy is the center from which all my work flows. I help people identify their own values, strengths and skills. This changes the shame-based narratives that keep us stuck, and leads to new ways of thinking about and solving problems.

— Janae Andrew, Licensed Professional Counselor in Phoenix, AZ
 

The idea that we develop stories about our own lives has always resonated with me. I enjoy identifying our own internal narratives and challenge those which may not be congruent with our current self or journey. The idea that people are separate from their problems resonates with me as in our most trying times we can feel entangled with those which most challenge us. Narrative Therapy allows for the externalization of problems through creative experiences.

— Leslie Weaver, Clinical Social Worker in Indianapolis, IN

Together we can look at the stories and myths you learned to believe about yourself and the world and unlearn, unpack, and rewrite them! You get to be in charge of how you think and feel about yourself and the world around you.

— Dina Bdaiwi, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Irvine, CA
 

I have over 9 years of experience in the fields of abuse, trauma, and interpersonal violence. I find narrative therapy to be a helpful tool in supporting clients enhance the stories they share about themselves and their experiences. Revisiting and "re-writing" these narratives can be helpful in addressing the guilt and shame we may carry with us as a result of traumatic events.

— Sumara Baig, Therapist in Chicago, IL

Narrative therapy is an open and creative perspective on healing and growth. 'People aren't problems, problems are problems' is a classic one-liner. I've been practicing narrative since I was first trained in it nine years ago, and I have five years experience training other clinicians in it as well.

— Jonathan Benko, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Santa Cruz, CA
 

I have studied the approach extensively and use it in daily practice to help re-narrate the client's story to deliver a strength's based approach.

— Sumantha Sen, Licensed Master of Social Work in New York, NY

Narrative therapy is a style of therapy that helps people become—and embrace being—experts in their own lives. In narrative therapy, there is an emphasis on the stories that you develop and carry with you through your life.

— Laura McMaster, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Atlanta, GA
 

I have graduate-level education in narrative therapy, and have utilized techniques associated with this modality throughout my professional career.

— Lia Ryan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Denver, CO

Every client has their own story! Every story has it’s own meaning and power. Stories can give more purpose to one’s life. Together we will piece your story together, and help find your voice to be able to tell your true authentic story in your own words.

— Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Pinole, CA
 

I'm trained in narrative therapy, which is an approach that recognized that just telling your story can be a healing act-but that it's even more powerful when you get to re-author your life. You don't have to keep living the same story.

— Jessica Foley, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Waltham, MA

Narrative Therapy is interested in the stories we tell ourselves. Every moment of our lives we are constructing stories and living according to them. Some of the stories we learned as kids (play it safe, calm down, smile!) while others we adopted from society (this is what sexy looks like, work harder, everyone for themselves!). But what is really going on? What is the story you want to live without all those external ones? Together we can write a new one.

— Matthew Beals, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Fort Collins, CO
 

Through Narrative Therapy we use the story of your own life to find the pathway to healing. You are the expert in your own life. The stories of how you have handled challenges and obstacles are the key to what has shaped you into the person you are. We will use your strengths to develop skills to help you better navigate the challenges you currently face.

— Beck Pazdral, Counselor in Seattle, WA