Where is the family in narrative family therapy

Sign In. Skip Nav Destination Article Navigation. Close mobile search navigation Article navigation. Volume 39, Issue 2. Previous Article Next Article. Article Navigation. Research Article April 01 Suddeath ; Eric G. E-mail: egsuddea go. This Site. Google Scholar. Alexandria K. Kerwin ; Alexandria K. Suzanne M. Dugger Suzanne M. Journal of Mental Health Counseling 39 2 : — Cite Icon Cite.

You do not currently have access to this content. View full article. Sign in Don't already have an account? Client Account. You could not be signed in. Sign In Reset password. Sign in via your Institution Sign in via your Institution. Buy This Article. View Your Tokens. When a story feels concrete, as if it could never change, any idea of alternative stories goes out the window. People can become very stuck in their story and allow it to influence several areas of their lives, impacting decision-making, behaviors, experiences, and relationships.

A narrative therapist works to help people not only challenge their problems but widen their view by considering alternative stories. While narrative therapy is a relatively new treatment approach, there is some evidence that it may be helpful for a variety of conditions.

Mental health conditions it might help include:. This approach can also be useful for anyone who feels like they are overwhelmed by negative experiences, thoughts, or emotions.

Narrative therapy allows people to not only find their voice but to use their voice for good, helping them to become experts in their own lives and to live in a way that reflects their goals and values. It can be beneficial for individuals, couples, and families.

This type of therapy stresses the importance of people not labeling themselves or seeing themselves as "broken" or "the problem," or for them to feel powerless in their circumstances and behavior patterns. Narrative therapy holds a number of key principles including:. Narrative therapy challenges dominant problematic stories that prevent people from living their best lives. Through narrative therapy, people can identify alternative stories, widen people's views of self, challenge old and unhealthy beliefs, and open their minds to new ways of living that reflect a more accurate and healthy story.

Narrative therapy does not aim to change a person but to allow them to become an expert in their own life. Narrative therapy appears to offer benefits in the treatment of a number of different conditions and in a variety of settings.

Some evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach:. Further research is needed to determine what mental health conditions narrative therapy might treat most effectively. Narrative therapy may present some challenges that you should consider before you begin treatment.

Some things to be aware of before you begin:. This process can take time, but can eventually help people find their own voice and develop a healthier, more positive narrative. Narrative therapy is a unique, specialized approach to counseling. There are training opportunities for therapists to learn more about narrative therapy and how to use this approach with clients.

Trained narrative therapists are located throughout the world and can be found through online resources and therapist directories.

You might also consider asking your doctor to refer you to a professional in your area with training and experience in narrative therapy. During your first session, your therapist may ask you to begin sharing your story and ask questions about the reasons you are seeking treatment.

Your therapist may also want to know about how your problems are affecting your life and what your goals for the future are.

You will also likely discuss aspects of treatment such as how often you will meet and how your treatment may change from one session to the next. Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. What is narrative therapy and what is it not? Clin Psychol Psychother. Hutto DD, Gallagher S. Re-authoring narrative therapy: improving our self-management tools. Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychology. Effectiveness of group narrative therapy on depression, quality of life, and anxiety in people with amphetamine addiction: A randomized clinical trial.

Iran J Med Sci. Journal of Systemic Therapies. Effectiveness of narrative therapy on communication patterns for women experiencing low marital satisfaction. Sexual scripts and narrative therapy with older couples. The American Journal of Family Therapy. Dulwich Centre Publications. What Is Narrative Therapy? Narrative Therapy.

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