Find a Narrative Therapy Therapist

What Narrative Therapy is and its guiding principles

Narrative Therapy treats the stories you live by as central to how you understand yourself and your relationships. Rather than focusing on a fixed diagnosis, it explores the narratives that shape meaning - the ways events are explained, the roles you adopt, and the language you use to describe challenges. Underpinning this approach is the idea that problems are separate from the person. This separation allows you to examine how a difficulty has become dominant in your story and to open up possibilities for different meanings and outcomes.

The therapist works as a collaborator and curious listener, helping you notice moments, exceptions and values that may have been overshadowed. Techniques include externalising difficult feelings or patterns by giving them a name, examining how cultural or social expectations influence stories, and deliberately re-authoring alternative narratives that align better with your hopes. The emphasis is on your agency - on recognising choices and emphasising abilities you may have overlooked.

What Narrative Therapy is commonly used for

Many people turn to Narrative Therapy when they want to change how they relate to an issue rather than simply reduce symptoms. It is frequently used for anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, bereavement, life transitions and struggles with identity. It can be beneficial if you feel stuck in a particular pattern, believe a problem defines you, or want to explore how cultural, family or societal narratives influence your sense of self.

The approach is also used in situations where a person has experienced trauma, though therapists will usually integrate trauma-informed practices and take care to proceed at a pace that feels manageable. Narrative work can be particularly helpful when you want to examine how labels or stereotypes have shaped expectations and behaviours, and when you want to reclaim a sense of meaning and direction.

What a typical Narrative Therapy session looks like

A typical session is conversational and exploratory rather than prescriptive. You will find yourself telling stories about events, relationships or recurring patterns while the counsellor listens for themes, turning points and hidden strengths. Early sessions often focus on mapping the problem - identifying its influence on your life and distinguishing the problem from who you are. The counsellor may invite you to give that problem a name as a way of externalising it and creating distance.

Later sessions often shift toward re-authoring. You and the counsellor will look for times when the problem was less powerful - moments that reveal your values, skills or commitments. These exceptions become the seeds for developing alternative narratives. You may be asked to bring objects, letters or creative material to sessions, or to reflect between meetings on instances that contradict the dominant problem story. Sessions usually last around 50 to 60 minutes and many people meet weekly to build momentum, though frequency can be adjusted to your needs and circumstances.

What the first sessions involve

In your first sessions the counsellor will want to understand what brought you to therapy and what you hope to change. They may ask about your life story and relationships, and about how the problem affects you in everyday situations. This is also a time to discuss practicalities such as session length, fees, cancellation policy and preferred mode of meeting, whether face-to-face or online. You should expect a collaborative tone and an invitation to lead the conversation about what matters most to you.

How Narrative Therapy differs from other approaches

Narrative Therapy differs from approaches that concentrate primarily on symptom reduction or on uncovering unconscious drives. For example, cognitive-behavioural approaches often focus on identifying and changing specific patterns of thought and behaviour through structured techniques. Psychodynamic work explores how past relationships and unconscious processes influence current experience. Narrative Therapy, by contrast, focuses on the stories you tell and the social and cultural contexts that shape those stories. It minimises pathologising language and puts emphasis on meaning, identity and social influences.

Unlike some models that assume fixed traits, Narrative Therapy views identity as fluid and shaped by language and relationships. This makes it especially useful if you want to explore how external factors - such as family expectations, media narratives or workplace cultures - have influenced how you see yourself. The goal is not to provide a quick fix but to expand the range of possible stories you can live by.

Who is a good candidate for Narrative Therapy

You may find Narrative Therapy a good fit if you are curious about the stories that shape your life and open to reflecting on the role of language, culture and relationships in those stories. It suits people who prefer a collaborative, conversational style rather than a heavily structured programme. If you are seeking to understand how certain labels or roles have limited you, or you want to create a renewed sense of identity after life changes, Narrative Therapy can be particularly empowering.

It is also a helpful option if you value exploring your experience in the context of broader social and cultural influences. That said, if you are in immediate crisis or need urgent risk management, you should seek appropriate emergency support first. Many Narrative Therapy counsellors will work alongside other professionals if you need coordinated care.

How to find the right Narrative Therapy counsellor for you

When searching for a counsellor who uses Narrative Therapy, look for qualified practitioners who are registered or accredited with recognised professional bodies in the UK. Check their profiles for information about training, years of experience and areas of specialism. Read how they describe their approach and whether they explicitly mention Narrative Therapy techniques such as externalising or re-authoring. A therapist’s description should give you a sense of their style - whether they lean more exploratory, practical, gentle or direct.

Practical considerations matter too. Think about whether you prefer face-to-face meetings or online sessions, what days and times suit you, and how much you can afford to pay. Many counsellors offer an initial consultation - often shorter and sometimes free or reduced-fee - which gives you a chance to ask about their experience with Narrative Therapy, how they typically structure sessions, and what outcomes you might expect. Use that initial conversation to gauge how comfortable you feel with their manner and whether their approach feels like a good match.

Trust your instincts about rapport. Even with excellent qualifications, effective therapy depends on the relationship you form with your counsellor. If after a few sessions you do not feel heard or the work does not feel productive, it is reasonable to discuss this openly or to seek someone whose style fits you better. Finding the right counsellor can take time, but it is a worthwhile step toward changing the stories that limit you and discovering new ways of living.

Practical next steps

Begin by browsing profiles and noting a few counsellors whose descriptions resonate with you. Prepare a few questions to ask at the initial contact, such as enquiries about registration, training in Narrative Therapy, session format and what to expect in early sessions. Reflect on your goals for counselling and any practical needs, and bring these to your first meeting so the counsellor can tailor the work. With patience and openness you can use Narrative Therapy to re-examine enduring stories, highlight strengths and craft a new narrative that better reflects who you are and how you want to live.