Theories of Counseling - Narrative Therapy

This video explains the theory of Narrative Therapy as applied to mental health counseling. A summary of Narrative Therapy and opinion on how specific aspects can be used in integrative counseling are reviewed.

[priscillaj]

I really like the technique of writing the letters or posting to a secure website the client can access. I like that it offers supportive feedback to client along with the alternate narratives and positive stories from the counselor.I think it could be a good way to continue to build that strong therapeutic alliance with the client and hopefully continues to motivate the client to continue to rewrite their narrative.

[rhondabaileyyy]

I like that one of the goals is to reconstruct their story. I also like that narrative therapy relays heavily on allowing the client to tell their story. Narrative Therapy also relies on the support of the client’s family which could have positive and sometimes negative effects for the client.

[CyntoriaOfficial]

A very useful summary of the narrative approach to counselling practice, thank you.

[angelinastanton]

I like that Narrative Therapy can be easily integrated with other theories. I connected with the techniques and goals of this therapy in relation to reconstructing one's story and identity into a new narrative and more positive identity. My favorite technique is having clients write letters to family members or to themselves to read in-between sessions, in the hopes of having family members respond or helping clients reconstruct new narratives. This could be very healing for clients who are having trouble reaching out to a family member. I would like if Narrative Therapy included use of the DSM-5.

[heather]

I like how this theory integrates the theory of personality and refers to a persons life as their story and their perspective as well as interpretation of that story. I think it's an important concept to take into consideration that an individual's narrative influences their thoughts and behaviors which contribute to a negative or unhealthy narrative. I like the concept of having a solution based theory which focuses on the solution rather than overemphasizing the problem.

[a.j.]

Thank you. You helped me understand this technique better than the chapter I was reading.

[brigwood]

Warning. this is a VERY long comment, but given that this power point is on you tube - for all to see, I feel somewhat obligated to write this. I hope I don't come across as a pedantic jerk but I'm very surprised about the lack of any proper reference to power, discourse (and so on) here . For Narrative T, the personal IS political; the various problems or struggles our clients experience reflect the various socio - cultural discursive and power arrangements in which we are positioned. This is not just some interesting aspect of Narrative T, it is absolutely central and fundamental to what it is all about! I would go so far as to say that the significance of Narrative T's strategies, questions and the general logic of its over all process can ONLY be appreciated in reference to such notions - that without reference to this NT becomes little more than a third rate cbt. In fact, NT is a direct challenge to most trad forms of therapy i.e. insofar as most trad T's are (arguably) viewed by NT as being conservative through their complicity (mostly unintentional) as 'agents of social control'. Point being that the ultimate underlying aim of most therapies has always been one of bringing clients back in line with models of human nature, development, self/emotional regulation etc (psycho-pathology etc as that' which falls short of such ideal understandings) which reflect and support current dominant socio-cultural norms and values (I.e what is 'normal', common sense, 'natural'). The idea being that our internal psychology reflects - at the micro and mundane level these wider macro cultural norms and power plays. In other words, problems so often arise where we come to 'internalsie' ideology - where our personal narratives are rendered meaningful within the horizon of ideology; in this light 'externalising conversations' draw out our problems in a way that situates them within such (otherwise hidden) ideological influences, and allows us to better tease out, reflect, build upon and 'richly story' (re-author') those examples or 'exceptions' within our clients experience which exceed, or even counter such ideological influences. I've said way too much already - and it would take a fair bit more explaining to properly capture the rationale here, how this all plays out etc. But suffice to say, ALL the reservations here (in the 'opinion' section) are SO easily answered, accommodated or offset in light of this understanding (which is of course not to say you have to agree with this understanding). Again - not wanting to be a jerk, but 'boy' this is no minor omission; maybe this is a little too harsh, but the I really do see the effects of this omission as actually offering a misrepresentation of Narrative T.

[corinne]

I found this video on Narrative therapy helpful. It gave me a better understanding of what this therapy is and how I can apply it to my own counseling style. I like this therapy because it helps the client detect what their values are and how to deal with the problem that they have. I also think that its interesting that there is no diagnosis in this therapy.

[marywatkins]

Thank you so much, , I'm leaning and understanding the difference technique's and different concepts.. you explain it better than the text..

[sassytee]

Thank you. Though I appreciate the focus on the effects of the problem, I find it helpful to understand the cause. I do not think it is necessary to labor over the cause, rather I prefer to focus on the here-and-now and the future. Understanding the cause can prevent repeating. Thank you I enjoyed your presentation.

[katybethhern]

I like the idea of having "letters" after the session is over. Often, I think clients may forget to bring something up or mention something important in sessions, so having an open discussion after may help them relieve the anxiety of forgetting something. For example, after I see my general doctor,   I often get home and think of important things, such as symptoms, that I forgot to tell him. Then, I become mad at myself for forgetting. So, I think this technique is very nice for the client to be able to access.

[MyDonh]

As a group facilitator, I have used the technique of trying to get group members to identify and deconstructing negatives narratives that they have been telling themselves for years esp those involved in the substance abuse or the criminal justice system. It is very difficult to get them to change their narratives because they get stuck in the context of their story.

[s.c.h]

Do you have any videos on care coordination? I'm failing badly in that course.

[brigwood]

As a small addition to my previous comment here (should I say 'rant') I only just now watched another youtube power-point intro to Narrative T by Diane Gehart which I have to say - utterly backs up and perfectly captures (much more succinctly) the very point I was making in my commentary; i.e . that a central and deeply fundamental aspect of Narrative T is the importance of power and social discourse (which is very much lacking in this presentation here, which - as I argued in my previous comment here - is 'no minor' omission).

[joshuacarbonera]

I don't quite agree that externalizing the problem necessarily entails not taking responsibility.

Whereas, a problem can be viewed from a heavily personal perspective, thus inducing shame; this can be quite negative.

I believe that externalizing is important in any context where a client would be otherwise crippled by their own maladaptive perception on the matter.

Responsibility without shame and self-devaluation is an imperative part of growth, and the ability to reflect on mistakes and utilize to grow and move on is an intrinsically freeing experience; we aren't bound by shame, nor are we bound by idea of making mistakes. There is always room for growth.

I don't see externalizing and responsibility as contradictory; rather, externalizing serves the function of clearing the conscience of destructive stories that stunt growth, and this allows for us to pave a path towards taking true and healthy responsibility for our mistakes without breaking ourselves with misplaced guilt.

[nakeshatucker]

I like how narrative therapists work to externalize a problem.  I think giving the problem its own individual identity is a good way to separate the problem from the person.  I think that the externalizing the problem technique can potentially alleviate any feelings of shame or guilt that the client may have; thus, creating a stronger individual to gradually progress through the problem.         I also see Dr. Grande's point about being careful not to deemphasize any responsibility for certain problems.  Often times, clients will need to understand any roles they have played in causing the problem in order to overcome it.  I agree that this technique should be use selectively.

[janicedixon]

I like that narrative therapist do not diagnosis clients. I think it will make clients feel more comfortable to tell their story because they arent put in a bubble with a psychiatric diagnosis.

[scottmartin]

I thought this video was very helpful.  I really like how in Narrative therapy it is client centered and directed at understanding and drawing out the story of the client.  I find it really interesting that they develop the cause of symptoms through the narrative but I worry that it's only left up for misinterpretation and could lead down the wrong road.  I didn't like that there are no diagnosis but I understand in the theory why there aren't and how its based on the themes of the story.

[joelcubelo]

So this therapy means that writting a beautiful story you want to happen in your life and try to live the way you tells that story?... .

[hardondolo]

Very informative and well-structured. However, delivery is boring. Can help improve by putting in a dash more energy and enthusiasm into the voice. Can also consider restructuring the powerpoint slides.