Assumptions of the Modality
"Story"
Based on the premise that we "story", that we each have stories, and we create the meaning of life for ourselves.Stories organize our experience & shape our behavior.
Who created Narrative Therapy?
It was developed by David White and Michael Epston.
Deconstruct problem-saturated stories into...
...more helpful stories that the client can use, along with their strengths to promote growth.
What is the Narrative Therapist's Role?
Collaborator
Investigator
Co-author
How does change occur in Narrative Therapy?
Separating clients from their problem(s) and creating a new, strengths-based narrative.
"Reality"
Reality is shaped by the language used to describe it – language and experience (meaning) are recursive.
Reality is socially constructed.
What is the "Dominant Narrative"?
Beliefs, values, and practices based on dominant social culture
Find the preferred story...
...that is not problem-saturated.
How does a Narrative Therapist view their client?
As the experts on their own lives.
What is externalizing?
Separating the person from the problem story; Example: "What is anxiety trying to tell you to do?"
"Truth"
Truth may not match historic or another person’s truth, but it is true to the client.
What is the "Subjugated Narrative"?
A person’s own story that is suppressed by dominant story.
Give options to...
..different stories that don't include problems.
What is identifying unique outcomes?
Times in the client's life during which the client was able to resist the effects of the problem.
What is Mapping the Influence?
Process of eliciting from the client a detailed description of the problem's effect and influence on client's life and relationships.
"Problems"
Focus on effects of the problem, not the cause (how problem impacts family; how family affects problem).
The problem is the problem; the person is not the problem
What is the "Alternative Story"?
This is the story that’s there but not noticed.
What is Enacting Preferred Narratives?
Identifying new ways to relate to problems that reduce their negative effects.
How do you "Meet the Person"?
Beginning stage of therapy; meeting the client apart from the problem. Learning who they are outside of their problem that they came to therapy for.
What is letter writing in Narrative Therapy?
The client writes a letter to self and others to reinforce the new story that has been created through the therapy process.
"Society"
The stories we tell ourselves are often based on messages received from society or our families (social construction).
People have their own unique filters by which they process messages from society.
What is "Deconstruction"?
Take apart problem saturated story in order to externalize & re-author it (Find missing pieces; “unpacking”).
What is solidifying?
Strengthening preferred stories and identities by having them witnessed by significant others in a person's life.
What is "scaffolding"?
Enacting conversations to move clients from that which is familiar to that which is novel, to help create and author a new story/narrative.
How does the term possibilities play into Narrative work?
Through narrative work, the client can see that there are numerous possibilities. We want them to have an expanded sense of self.