

This form of therapy was developed in the 1980s by Michael White and David Epston (About Narrative Therapy, n.d.).

It relies on the individual’s own skills and sense of purpose to guide them through difficult times (Narrative Therapy, 2017). Narrative therapy is a form of therapy that aims to separate the individual from the problem, allowing the individual to externalize their issues rather than internalize them.

Thus, it is important to realize what stories we are telling ourselves, and others, when we talk about our lives. Stories organize our thoughts, help us find meaning and purpose, and establish our identity in a confusing and sometimes lonely world. We use stories to inform others, connect over shared experiences, say when we feel wronged, and even to sort out our thoughts and feelings. The goal is to uncover opportunities for growth and development, find meaning, and understand ourselves better. Narrative therapy capitalizes on this question and our storytelling tendencies. It is likely that the life story you tell yourself and others changes depending on who is asking, your mood, and whether you feel like you are still at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of your most salient story.īut when was the last time you paused to consider the stories you tell? Imagine a narrative of your “life story” in which you are the hero of your own life, rather than the victim?
