08/03/2026
Narrative Therapy
Definition, Techniques & Interventions
Narrative therapy is a collaborative and person-centered counselling approach. It separates people from their problems and views individuals as the experts in their own lives.
This approach was developed by Michael White and David Epston.
The goal of narrative therapy is to help clients re-author or rewrite their life stories so they can move away from negative or limiting beliefs and build healthier, empowering narratives.
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Key Components and Techniques
1. Externalization
Externalization means separating the person from the problem.
Instead of saying “I am anxious”, narrative therapy encourages language such as:
“Anxiety is affecting my life.”
This helps the person see that they are not the problem — the problem is the problem.
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2. Re-authoring / Re-storying
Clients explore “unique outcomes” or positive moments that do not fit the negative story they believe about themselves.
These moments help clients create a new, more empowering life story.
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3. Deconstruction
Deconstruction involves examining and breaking down the stories people tell about themselves.
This helps clients understand how culture, family, society, and past experiences may have influenced those stories.
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4. Externalizing Conversations
Therapists use specific language that separates the person from the problem.
Example questions:
• “How does anxiety affect your daily life?”
• “When did this problem start influencing you?”
This keeps the focus on the problem’s influence, not on blaming the person.
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5. Documentation
Narrative therapy sometimes uses letters, certificates, or written reflections to support the new story the client is creating.
These documents help reinforce growth and progress.
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Goals of Narrative Therapy
Empowerment
Helping clients recognize their strengths, skills, values, and abilities instead of seeing themselves as failures.
Alternative Perspectives
Encouraging clients to discover new and more positive ways of understanding their experiences.
New Meaning
Helping clients create healthier and more constructive meanings for past events.
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Common Applications
Narrative therapy can be used in:
• Individual counselling
• Family counselling
• Child therapy
• Trauma recovery
• Grief and loss
• Eating disorders
• Relationship challenges
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Core Principle
Narrative therapy is respectful and non-blaming.
It focuses on understanding how a person’s life has been influenced by problem stories and supports them in building a future that reflects their true identity, strengths, and values.
