Narrative Therapy

Psychologists using a Narrative Therapy approach seek to help a client to separate themselves from the problem or presenting issue. Narrative Therapy was developed by Michael White and David Epston and is based on the belief that a person’s identity is formed by their experiences or narratives and that a problem or difficulty itself is not an identity. By helping the client to see the problem as a separate entity sensitive issues can be externalised and this reduces the emotional load of the problem.

Resistance and defences can be reduced though the objectification process and this allows individuals to then address difficulties in a more productive way. Clients are encouraged to rely on their own skills and internal resources to minimise difficulties that exist in their everyday lives. The process of externalising is applied to behaviours, values, beliefs, and ideals, and a the psychologist helps the client to gain new perspectives and to rewrite negative aspects of their narrative or identity.