Narrative Theoretical Framework

Narratives are subjective accounts of personal events told to listeners. They are linguistic forms of “lived experience” affecting both the narrator and the listener. Within the narrative theoretical framework, there is an underlying assumption that the way in which individuals experience themselves and their situations is “constructed” within culturally mediated, social interactions. Much more than short stories or quotes, narratives are employed in psychotherapy, particularly narrative therapy, as a tool for exploring and interpreting clients’ experiences.

Narrative therapy is an eclectic therapy derived from the family and individual psychology traditions. It is influenced by a variety of sources, including literary philosophy, poststructural theory, feminism, anthropology, and ethnology. Narrative therapy draws from humanistic concepts, highlighting respect and confidence in the client, emphasizing his or her problem-solving abilities, ...