Therapeutic Approach
Narrative Therapy
You are not your problem. Narrative therapy helps you separate your identity from the stories that have defined you — and reauthor a life that reflects who you truly are.
Your story is not your sentence
Narrative therapy, developed by Michael White and David Epston, is built on a simple but profound idea: the stories we tell about ourselves shape how we see ourselves, what we believe is possible, and how we move through the world.
Many of the stories we carry were not written by us. They were handed to us by families, relationships, culture, or painful experiences — and over time, they became the lens through which we interpret everything. Narrative therapy helps you examine those stories, identify which ones are serving you, and begin to reauthor the ones that are not.
This is not about denying what happened. It is about recognizing that you are the author of your life — not a character in someone else's story.
What narrative therapy looks like in practice
Externalizing conversations
Separating you from the problem — 'anxiety' or 'shame' becomes something you have a relationship with, not something you are.
Identifying the dominant story
Exploring the narrative that has been shaping your self-perception, often absorbed from others or from painful experiences.
Finding unique outcomes
Discovering moments that contradict the problem story — evidence that you are more than the narrative you have been living.
Re-authoring
Building a richer, more accurate story of who you are — one that includes your values, strengths, and the life you want to live.
Witnessing and documentation
Sometimes using letters, journals, or other tools to anchor the new story and make it feel real and lasting.
Narrative therapy can help with
If you feel defined by your past, trapped in a story that does not feel like yours, or struggling to see yourself beyond your pain — narrative therapy creates space to change that.
Your Story Can Change
Narrative therapy is available in-person in Phoenix and via telehealth in AZ, MN, OH, and LA. You are not your problem — and you are not stuck with the story you have been living.
Narrative therapy alongside other approaches
Narrative therapy integrates naturally with EMDR, IFS, and somatic work. While EMDR processes the traumatic memories that created a painful story, and IFS works with the parts carrying that story, narrative therapy helps you articulate and anchor the new story you are building. Together, these approaches create a comprehensive path from surviving to truly knowing yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a good storyteller to benefit from narrative therapy?
Not at all. Narrative therapy is not about being articulate or having a clear narrative ready. The therapist helps you explore and make sense of your experiences at your own pace. Many people find that the process itself helps them find words for things they have never been able to express.
Is narrative therapy helpful after narcissistic abuse?
Yes — it is particularly powerful for narcissistic abuse recovery. Narcissistic relationships often involve having your story rewritten for you — being told who you are, what you feel, and what is real. Narrative therapy helps you reclaim authorship of your own story and rebuild a sense of identity that belongs to you.
Can narrative therapy be combined with EMDR?
Absolutely. EMDR processes the traumatic memories that created a painful story. Narrative therapy helps you articulate and anchor the new story you are building. Many clients find that combining both approaches creates deeper, more lasting change.
How long does narrative therapy take?
It varies depending on what you are working through. Some clients notice meaningful shifts in identity and self-perception within a few months. Deeper work — particularly around long-standing patterns or complex trauma — often continues over a year or more.
Is narrative therapy available via telehealth?
Yes. Sessions are available via secure video for clients in Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Louisiana.
Related therapeutic approaches & services
Ready to Reauthor?
You are not your problem. Schedule a free consultation to explore whether narrative therapy is right for you.