What is narrative therapy?

Narrative therapy recognizes people’s values as potential platforms for action in addressing the problems that enter their lives. Rather than casting problems in leading roles, it is people’s hopes and dreams that are given marquee status.

Conventional therapy locates problems in people (e.g., You have ADHD; You are an Anorexic; You have Borderline Personality Disorder), rendering them passive recipients of treatment. In such instances it is problems that are made prominent and “patients” who are made subordinate, less than inspiring, and even disordered.

Narrative therapy is known for the adage, “The person is not the problem. The problem is the problem.” This shift in perspective is central to our practice. Locating problems outside of people and situating them in broader social/institutional/political contexts can serve to preserve people’s sense of dignity and hope. With breathing room from problems people can find their ethical footing, reclaim the direction of their lives, and take decisive action.