Imagine being asked to tell your life story, but this time you are the hero, not the victim. How would the story change? That’s the core idea behind narrative therapy—it helps you recognise the stories you carry, understand how they shape your self-image, and separate problems from your identity. In this article, we’ll explore 10 simple yet effective questions used in narrative therapy that can help you rewrite and reclaim your narrative. Read on to know more.
What is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy is based on the belief that “The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem.” Narrative therapy is a form of talk therapy that views people as separate from their problems and sees them as the experts in their own lives. It also assumes that people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments, and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives.
Narrative therapy aims at helping individuals to look at problems as something that is separate and not a part of their individual identity. Externalizing problems from their identity empowers the person to rely on their own skills to minimise problems and the impact of problems on their life.
What questions to ask in narrative therapy?
A narrative therapist collaborates with people to help them put together their narrative. The therapist maintains an attitude of genuine curiosity and asks questions to get a better understanding of the person’s story. Thus, questions are an integral part of the narrative therapy process.
A narrative therapist might use various types of questions as a part of the therapy process. They are simplified and explained in the table below:
Type of Question |
Purpose / Explanation |
Examples |
|---|---|---|
Deconstruction Questions |
Deconstruction helps people break their problems down into smaller pieces. When a problem is broken down, it is easier to see its origin and the steps that can be taken to deal with it. |
|
Externalizing Questions |
Help the person view the problem as a separate entity that exists on its own or outside of them. Viewing the problem as something external can make it feel less overwhelming. |
|
Reauthoring Questions |
Encourage the person to look at the problem and their life from a different perspective. |
|
Conclusion
Narrative therapy is a non-pathologising approach to therapy. The questions asked in narrative therapy not only help the therapist understand an individual’s narrative but also encourage the person seeking therapy to look at their problems as an external observer, which helps them to build positive and helpful narratives.
References:
- MA, C. E. A. (2017, June 18). 19 Best Narrative Therapy Techniques & Worksheets [+PDF]. PositivePsychology.Com. https://positivepsychology.com/narrative-therapy/
- Commonly-asked questions about narrative approaches to therapy, community work, and psychosocial support. (n.d.). The Dulwich Centre. Retrieved August 8, 2023, from https://dulwichcentre.com.au/articles-about-narrative-therapy/common-questions-narrative-therapy/
- Narrative Therapy Questions (Complete Overview) | OptimistMinds. (2020, March 13). https://optimistminds.com/narrative-therapy-questions/
- Sax, P. (n.d.). Externalising Conversations Handout. Re-Authoring Teaching. Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://reauthoringteaching.com/pages-not-in-use/externalising-conversations-handout/
- What is Narrative Therapy? (n.d.). The Dulwich Centre. Retrieved August 8, 2023, from https://dulwichcentre.com.au/what-is-narrative-therapy/
- Duba and Bitter. (n.d.). Duba and Bitter- Externalization and Reauthoring.
- What Is Narrative Therapy? | Psych Central. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2023, from https://psychcentral.com/health/narrative-therapy
- Deconstruction in Narrative Therapy. (2023, May 18). Exploring Your Mind. https://exploringyourmind.com/deconstruction-in-narrative-therapy/
