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Feminist Narrative Therapy

Definition and History of Feminist Narrative Therapy

Quotes:

"We enter into stories; we are entered into stories by others; and we live our lives through these stories." (Epston,

"Stories enable persons to link aspects of their experience through the dimension of time. There does not appear to be any other mechanism for the structuring of experience that so captures the sense of lived time, or that can adequately represent the sense of lived time." (Ricoeur, 1983)

"Narratives then, are “not only structures of meaning but structures of power as well.” ' '(Bruner, 1986, p. 144)

"Welcoming someone into one’s own home doesn’t represent an attempt to undermine privilege; it expresses it." (Spelman, Inessential Women: Problems of Exclusion in Feminist Thought, 1988: 163)

"Any situation in which some individual prevents others from engaging in the process of inquiry is one of violence. The means used are not important; to alienate human beings from their own decision making is to change them into objects.” (Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed)

Values and principles

In Feminist, Narrative Therapy, a client's life is acknowledged as a story in progress, which can be viewed and authored according to many different perspectives and discourses.

A Feminist, Narrative therapeutic approach is inspired by care-ethics, appreciation and advocacy for inclusion, voice and difference, and the marginalized, disenfranchised and ‘othered’ experiences. Feminist, Narrative Therapy centers a critical lens, social and gender role analysis, deconstruction of power and inequity, consciousness raising and the promotion of social activism via praxis/active discourse and the very practice it practices.

Praxis / Application:

1. What is the problem? There can be many problems in a problem (eg: unresolved trauma, sleep distress, unkind/unwelcomed thoughts, recent miscarriage, aging parents, etc..) and in some instances perhaps even a team of problems that can be competing for authority and negatively impacting one’s experience (eg: depression, overwhelm, anxiety, fleeing abuse, reactive anger, unsupportive negative thinking such as not measuring up and feeling unworthy, substance misuse). The Feminist, Narrative Therapist listens attentively, to what is said and also, to what is not said (the absent but implicit). This listening is meticulous and the questions that are then offered are purposeful responses to the problem story and the client’s insider knowledge. Feminist, Narrative questions inspire a close up view of the problem’s mechanics and the systems at work that keep it active and effective. These questions engage an externalization process, organized to counter any incapacitation and totalization effects implicated by the internalization of the problem story. Tracking the history of a problem is also referred in Narrative Therapy as mapping the problems influence.

As the activity and effects of the problem are shared in detail, meaningful information is discovered to inspire further investigation. This listening and responding (as opposed to the more traditional therapies concentrated activity of analysis and assessment) supports the therapist’s orientation as co-researcher and directs the therapeutic conversation forward in generative ways. As the problem becomes more visible and internalization of the problem/the problem identity becomes loosened, the therapist invites acknowledgement of any possible collective experiences and connection with others that may share the impact of the problem story/identity at play and the possibility of solidarity in opposition to its oppressive effects.

2. The client is the expert! How am I doing?

3. What am I privileging in my listening?

4. Choice... choice and.. choice

5.The Personal is Political!

6. Entry points for Agency – supporting the exceptions, alternatives and authority.

7. Humility and of Brave Practice.

Feminist Narrative Therapist Reflexivity

Reflexivity for the learning Feminist Narrative therapist, supports the therapist to a sustain congruence with the theories values and principles that have informed Narrative Therapy, in the counsellor’s therapeutic practice and interpersonal community relations and systemic, clinic operational activities. Sustaining interpersonal and organizational integrity, alongside the practice is experienced as highly supportive to therapy advancement of the practice as it engages a constancy. Sustaining integrity, for the feminist remains a core value of political.

Reflexivity in the learner pedagogy is believed to support the cultivation of critical discourse attentiveness, from both one’s own personal micro perspective and the larger contextual macro understanding. This consideration is a primary mission in the learner situated practice, as it supports the therapist to be open and brave in the experiential learning, transparent in their level of proficiency and it avoids contributing to totalizing practices that measure, assess, analyze and diagnosis from positions of bias and hegemonic normativity locations.

A reflexive practice is supported by a critical, discursive pedagogy and influenced the development of a relational focused Narrative, Feminism and Collectivism. This model has inspired the development of an affordable therapy clinic for everyone and continues to align the infrastructure operations that support it.

See also

Narrative Therapy

Feminist Therapy

External links

• ProChoices
• Hilda Nanning Counselling