Creating a New Story Through Therapy

Introduction

Have you ever had a painful memory that you just could not stop thinking about? It’s the kind of memory where all you can see is what you could have done differently or why you were at fault. Would you like to explore finding a way to modify the story, one where these memories can turn into something more tolerable if not more positive? If the answer to this question is yes, then narrative therapy may be an option worth trying. 

When a traumatic incident has occurred, one of the most common responses is for the individual to blame themselves and wonder what options they had to do things differently (Batrouney, 2019; Bayes, 2022). In addition to self-blame, someone who is looking for a reason why a traumatic experience had happened may also experience a sense of shame which I think is a byproduct of the memory instilling feelings of powerlessness (Batrouney, 2019; Grant, 2022). However, with narrative therapy, it is possible for people to not necessarily change the actual memories, but how the memory is interpreted by the individual (Batrouney, 2019; Bayes, 2022).

What is Narrative Therapy?

When someone has experienced a traumatic event, the version of events that are remembered often lack enough detail to give the individual the full picture of what had occurred (Grant, 2022). The memory is narrowed down to a “thin” storyline that instills feelings of depression and that things will never improve (White, 2004, p. 59 as cited in Grant, 2022). One narrative therapy technique, double listening allows people to uncover memories within the story that were taken over by the negative version of the story including instances where strength or sense of identity had been lost (Grant, 2022; Uribe, 2012). Moreover, narrative therapy can also assist with clarifying goals and figuring what type of person an individual would like to be (Uribe, 2012). The individual can then perceive themselves in a different way (Uribe, 2012).

How does narrative therapy help?

• A person can relearn what their strengths are which in turn helps to reclaim power (Batrouney, 2019; Uribe, 2012).
• Instead of thinking about the trauma as a personal flaw or issue, narrative therapy can help to externalize the experience (Batrouney, 2019; Uribe, 2012).
• Can help one to realize the dynamics of power that was involved in the incident that caused the trauma and help the individual to reclaim power (White, 1997 as cited in Batrouney, 2019; Batrouney, 2019).
• In group narrative therapy sessions, members can learn from each other and create a sense of belonging (Grant, 2022).
• Recreate a person’s sense of identity after it was lost through the traumatic experience (Bayes, 2022; Grant, 2022; Uribe, 2012).

I feel that the benefits of narrative are evident as it can allow someone who has been unable to move forward due memories that may be painful. Narrative therapy can help as it will allow one to find a clearer understanding of their own story and who they are now.

References
Batrouney, A. (2019). Narrative therapy approaches in single-session trauma work. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 2, 40-48. https://dulwichcentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Narrative-therapy-approaches-in-single-session-trauma-work-by-Amelia-Batrouney.pdf 

Bayes, J. (2022). Narrative therapy in trauma care. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 4, 62-67. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4320/GNEH6840

Grant, L. (2022). Bringing together women like you and me: Collective narrative practice with women and trauma. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 1, 1-8.

https://dulwichcentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Grant_BringingTogetherWomenLikeYouAndMe_IJNTCW_20221.pdf 

Uribe, M. S. (2012). Narrative Therapy: CONSTRUCTING STORIES OF DIGNITY AND RESISTANCE WITH SURVIVORS OF TORTURE AND TRAUMA IN COLOMBIA. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 1, 1-9. https://dulwichcentre.com.au/product/narrative-therapy-constructing-stories-of-dignity-and-resistance-with-survivors-of-torture-and-trauma-in-colombia-mariana-saenz-uribe/