Narrative
── Narrative──
Narrative Therapy is a post-modern, collaborative therapeutic approach that views individuals as separate from their problems. It emphasizes the role of personal narratives in shaping identity and behavior and aims to help individuals re-author their life stories in empowering ways.
Core Concepts – Part 1
- Externalization of the problem
- Dominant vs. alternative narratives
Core Concepts – Part 2
- Meaning-making
- Identity reconstruction
- Strengths-based approach
Inculcation in Rehabilitation Treatment
In rehabilitation, Narrative Therapy is used to address identity damage, shame, and hopelessness commonly seen in long-term substance users. Patients are guided to externalize addiction and mental illness, reducing self-blame and stigma. Through therapeutic conversations, patients revisit life events and identify moments of strength, resilience, and values that contradict the addiction-centered narrative. Family sessions are often included to shift blaming and enabling narratives into supportive, recovery-oriented ones. This approach fosters meaning, self-respect, and long-term commitment to recovery.