Michael White Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy
Background and Theoretical Base Meaning making is an important part of the human experience. We have to be able to explain to ourselves the value of an experience or event and how it fits into our life schema so those experiences that are positive or negative, each require a meaningful explanation to accept as part of ourself. When those explanations which we can call narratives provide for us a foundation and or a path for future growth and development we hold on to it and find ways of using it repetitively in the service of growth. When the narrative does not provide that path or foundation for development, or it takes away the opportunity for growth and development, holding on to it renders the person functionally trapped.

Problems are created when a person internalizes a conversation or story that provides a narrow or unflattering description of self, one that is not positive to them. This can limit the person's self-concept, and they neglect to see other valued aspects of themselves. Problems are maintained when a person internalize the problematic story, or dominant narrative, and accept that it reflects the truth about themselves or the event. They then internalize the problems to be about them or the selves of others, or that the relationships are the problem. This leads the person to sink deeper into the problem rather than finding a solution to the problem (White,

In Narrative exposure therapy a client creates a narrative that tells their whole life story, from their birth to the present day, and in this context focuses on providing a detailed report of their traumatic experiences (Neuner et al., 2004). Further, the goals of NET are both to reduce the symptoms of PTSD by habituating the client to the emotional response to the traumatic memories, and to construct a detailed narrative regarding the trauma experiences within the context of their whole life. Theories regarding PTSD symptoms and the role of emotional processing have suggested that memories of traumatic events become distorted and lead to a fragmented understanding of the traumatic memories, which is thought to maintain the symptoms of PTSD. In Narrative Exposure Therapy, the client works with a therapist to construct a detailed account of their life. This account or autobiography is recorded by the therapist at the end of the session. It is read back to the client at the beginning of the next session, when the client can correct the information that the therapist recorded. During the retelling of the recorded story and when discussing any traumatic event, the therapist asks for the client's current emotional, cognitive, physiological and