Seeing the person outside the problem
Narrative Therapy
“The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.”
What is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling, which centers you as the expert on your own life.
In Narrative Therapy, our lives are seen as a series of stories that we tell ourselves. The therapy itself seeks to rewrite those stories in ways that are healthier and more empowering.
Narrative Therapy Means Telling Our Stories in Ways that make us Stronger
The stories we tell about our lives can influence our mental health and well-being.
Using Narrative Therapy techniques you and your therapist work to redefine your identity and experiences. Narrative therapy questions tap into the stories you tell about yourself and your life, and identify ways to reframe or rewrite them. The Narrative Therapy approach helps you see your problems as separate from who you are, , which reduces self-blame, and gives you new ways to think about your story.
“The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.”
Benefits of Narrative Therapy
Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Improved Cognitive Function
Enhancing Psychological Resilience
Strengthened Social Connections
The Infinite Possibilities of Conversations
The Road Ahead with Narrative Therapy
In Narrative Therapy, each conversation is a journey with countless possibilities and many roads to go down. As you explore these paths with your therapist, you might shift directions, revisit previous routes, or stay on the same one for a while longer.
Narrative Therapy questions open up different possibilities on the road, helping you uncover strengths, values, and perspectives that can change the way you see your story. There’s no right way to go, only a variety of possible directions to pick from.
We believe that in every story lies the potential for transformation. Our role is to guide you while you explore those hidden narratives so that you can create space for healing and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Narrative Therapy
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No, Narrative Therapy can offer different approaches. Some Narrative Therapy approaches work with individuals, while others focus on families or communities, developing collective methods of healing.
This diversity makes Narrative Therapy adaptable to many contexts. -
Narrative Therapy helps you separate yourself from your problems by focusing on the stories you tell about your life. Through a variety of Narrative Therapy techniques and guided conversations, you learn to reframe these stories to highlight your strengths and abilities.
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No. Narrative Practitioners recognize that medication can be helpful in some situations, and they see Narrative Therapy as a complementary approach. However, as Registered Clinical Counsellors and Registered Social Workers, Narrative Therapy practitioners do not prescribe medication or provide clinical diagnoses the way a medical doctor might.
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Narrative Therapy can help with a wide range of conditions, including:
Trauma
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Grief and bereavement
Emotional regulation difficulties
Low self-esteem or negative self-image
Relationship challenges
Family conflicts
Parenting stress
Career changes or job loss
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Externalization helps you see a problem as something separate from who you are. This means the challenges you face — like anxiety, grief, self-doubt — are seen as separate from your identity. You’re not “an anxious person”; you’re a person who’s dealing with anxiety. This shift often reduces shame and self-blame by helping you look at the problem from the outside and reducing the influence it has on your life.