Narrative Therapy
How can Narrative Therapy nourish you?
Storytelling has been at the heart of human culture for millennia. In traditional and Indigenous societies across the world, stories were (and still are) a primary way of making sense of life, connecting generations, healing wounds, and weaving individuals into the greater web of community. In many Aboriginal Australian communities, for instance, the Dreamtime stories are not simply myths; they are living, breathing maps that explain creation, land, law, and spirit[1]. Similarly, Native American traditions honour storytelling as a sacred act that holds communal memory, offers guidance, and strengthens identity[2].
Before the emergence of modern psychology, narrative practices were already central to human resilience and healing. People understood that stories do more than entertain—they shape reality, build bridges between experiences, and offer pathways for transformation.
Narrative Therapy draws from this ancient, intuitive understanding. Developed formally in the 1980s by Michael White and David Epston, Narrative Therapy invites individuals to become conscious authors of their own lives. Rather than seeing people as "problems to be fixed," Narrative Therapy sees people as meaning-makers—storytellers capable of reshaping their experiences, reclaiming agency, and connecting to deeper truths about who they are beyond struggle or diagnosis[3].
In a world that often fragments identity or reduces people to labels, narrative work nourishes us by restoring wholeness. It reminds us that we are not just the painful chapters of our lives—we are the storytellers, capable of editing, expanding, and reclaiming the meaning of our journeys.
Benefits of Narrative Therapy
Engaging in Narrative Therapy offers a wide range of emotional, psychological, and even relational benefits. Research and clinical practice show that working with one’s story in an intentional way can:
- Strengthen personal agency: By externalising problems ("the problem is the problem, the person is not the problem"), Narrative Therapy empowers individuals to see themselves as separate from the issues they face, making change feel more achievable[4].
- Support trauma healing: Telling and re-authoring stories of trauma can help individuals move from a place of powerlessness to resilience, integrating painful experiences without being defined by them[5].
- Enhance emotional regulation: Clarifying the threads of one’s story can reduce confusion, anxiety, and overwhelm, creating space for compassion and self-understanding[6].
- Foster deeper identity exploration: Narrative Therapy invites exploration of multiple selves and identities, allowing people to connect with their values, hopes, and strengths beyond societal labels.
- Strengthen relationships and communication: When individuals understand and express their own stories more clearly, they can engage more authentically and empathetically with others[7].
Ultimately, Narrative Therapy is not about imposing a new story onto someone’s life—it’s about uncovering the rich, complex, and powerful stories that are already there, often hidden beneath dominant cultural narratives or internalised judgments.
What to expect from a Narrative Therapy session
A Narrative Therapy session is typically a collaborative, exploratory process, rooted in curiosity, respect, and empowerment. Here’s what you might expect:
- Exploring your current story: The therapist may invite you to describe the issue or challenge you’re facing, paying close attention to the language you use and how the problem is positioned in your life.
- Externalising the problem: Rather than identifying you as the problem, the therapist will help you see the problem as something outside yourself—something that affects you but does not define you. This shift creates space for new possibilities.
- Tracing the influences: You might explore how family history, culture, societal expectations, or personal experiences have shaped the current story. This helps reveal hidden patterns and opens the way for new narratives.
- Discovering alternative stories: Narrative Therapy emphasises uncovering "sparkling moments"—times when you resisted, succeeded, loved, created, or endured. These moments are seeds for a new, empowering storyline.
- Re-authoring and strengthening preferred stories: Through conversation, writing, reflection, and sometimes creative methods like letter-writing or storytelling exercises, you’ll begin to build stronger connections to the narratives that reflect your values, hopes, and chosen identity.
Sessions are gentle but powerful. Rather than feeling like you’re being "analyzed," it often feels more like being witnessed and supported as you rediscover your voice—and the many stories that live within you.
In Narrative Therapy, healing isn't about erasing the past. It’s about weaving it into a broader, more compassionate and courageous understanding of yourself. It's about remembering that no matter what life has handed you, you have always been, and still are, the author of your own becoming.
1. Zhang A. Understanding Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories: Cultural Significance and Themes. Unwrapped Fair Dinkum Entertainment; 2025.
2. Kennedy M. The Power of Storytelling in Native American Culture. Salish World; 2025.
3. What is Narrative Practice? A free course Dulwich Centre; 2025.
4. Turns BA, Kimmes J. “I’m NOT the Problem!” Externalizing Children’s “Problems” Using Play Therapy and Developmental Considerations. Springer Nature Link; 2013.
5. Murengera EM ,Niyonsenga J, Rutembesa E,Sezibera V, Nshimiyimana A. Contribution of narrative therapy in reduction of anxiety, depression and PTSD among survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda. PLOS Mental Health; 2025.
6. Yusefzade I, Hosseinian S, Zamanshoar E, Soheili F. Broken Narratives by Stressful Life Events: An Intervention for Narrative Identity Reconstruction. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy; 2024.
7. Ghavibazou E, Hosseinian S, Abdollahi A. Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy on Communication Patterns for Women Experiencing Low Marital Satisfaction. Austalia & New Zealand Journal of Psychotherapy; 2020.