What key concept is central to narrative therapy?

The central concept of narrative therapy revolves around the emphasis on personal stories and the meanings individuals attach to their experiences. This therapeutic approach posits that people construct their identities and understand their lives through narratives, or stories, they create about themselves. By exploring and reframing these narratives, clients can gain insight into their experiences, challenge negative beliefs, and find new perspectives that empower them. This process allows individuals to separate their identities from their problems and fosters a sense of agency and personal agency in rewriting their life stories.

This focus on personal storytelling is a core tenet of narrative therapy, distinguishing it from other therapeutic approaches that may concentrate more on internal psychological processes, systematic methods, or cognitive distortions. Other therapies might explore unconscious motives or involve structured interventions, but narrative therapy prioritizes the unique and subjective experiences of the individual, showcasing the therapeutic potential of storytelling in creating change and meaning in one’s life.