What is Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy is a collaborative, non-blaming approach based on the idea that people make sense of their lives through stories. It was developed by Michael White and David Epston in the 1980s and draws on ideas from family therapy and social theory. A central principle is that the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem. In practice, this means separating people from their difficulties so they can examine and change the stories shaping their lives.
How Does Narrative Therapy Work
Narrative therapy helps people explore and re-author the stories they hold about themselves. The work often involves:
- naming the problem and viewing it as separate from the person
- examining where particular beliefs and stories came from
- identifying times the person acted outside the problem’s influence
- developing a fuller, preferred account of who they are
Common techniques include externalizing conversations, which put some distance between the person and the problem, and identifying “unique outcomes,” the moments that don’t fit the problem story. The therapist takes a curious, respectful stance and treats the client as the expert on their own life.
How Narrative Therapy Helps
By changing a person’s relationship to their problems and the stories around them, narrative therapy can help people feel less defined by their difficulties and more connected to their values and strengths. Many people find it a respectful way of working, since it does not frame them as broken or define them by a diagnosis. It is used with individuals, couples, and families.
Who Can Benefit from Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy may be helpful for:
- identity and self-esteem concerns
- the effects of difficult relationships or experiences
- grief and life transitions
- feeling defined by a particular label or story
People often come to narrative therapy when they feel boxed in by a story about themselves: that they’re the anxious one, too much, or a failure. Often that story was handed to them long ago and never really questioned. It can also help during transitions, when the account you had of your life no longer matches where you actually are.
It tends to suit people who are reflective and interested in meaning, and who respond well to being treated as the expert on their own life rather than a problem to be fixed. It is used with individuals, couples, families, and children, and can be especially welcome for anyone wary of feeling pathologized.
Therapy most often includes multiple approaches, shaped around what best fits for you. Your counsellor will work with you to design an approach that meets your needs.
Finding the Right Fit
Research consistently shows that a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in counselling. When helping you find a therapist, we consider:
- Your goals, concerns, and preferences
- Your past experiences with counselling (if any)
- Therapist expertise and clinical focus
- Personality, pace, and working style
- Therapeutic orientation and flexibility
Some clients come in knowing they are interested in a particular approach. Others have no idea where to begin—and both are completely valid. You do not need to choose a modality to start counselling. Our role is to help guide the process and support you in finding a therapist who feels like a good fit.
You can also explore therapist profiles on our Meet the Team page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Approaches
No. Many clients begin therapy without any knowledge of modalities. Your therapist will guide the process and adapt the work to what’s most helpful for you.
No. Therapists at River’s Edge work integratively, drawing from multiple evidence-based approaches as therapy unfolds.
Yes. If you have experience with or interest in a particular modality, we’re happy to take that into account when matching you with a therapist.
That’s very common. Therapy itself is a collaborative process of discovering what supports change for you.
Different approaches can be helpful for different people and concerns. Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship and a flexible, responsive approach are key factors in effective therapy.