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Narratively oriented therapists take the position that our lives are shaped by stories. We never see the world as it is, we always see through a narrative ‘lens’, we give value to certain aspects of experience and neglect other aspects, we are constantly interpreting what is happening in, to and around us. It is through the stories we have about ourselves, others and life in general that we make sense of things and navigate our way in the world. And how we see the world clearly shapes how we act in the world.
People usually come to therapy when in the grip of a ‘problem-saturated’ story about themselves or some aspect of their lives. Working collaboratively, the therapist and client engage in a process of ‘unpacking’ this story and then ‘reauthoring’ – that is, returning to or arriving at preferred stories, noticing neglected but helpful aspects of experience, and developing more encouraging ‘identity conclusions’. Of course, these must be credible and sustainable narratives that translate into preferred actions and ways of being. Narrative practitioners believe that individuals and their stories are significantly shaped by the culture or cultures in which they live. Our ideas about - and experience of - love, gender, success, decency, family, work, health, normality, in fact every aspect of our lives, are shaped by ‘discourses’ derived from culture.
A Narrative Therapist would therefore be very curious about what informs your thinking – and in what ways that thinking is and isn’t helpful. Particular attention is
given to language for, as Heidegger said, ‘all description is interpretation’. Language doesn’t simply reflect reality, it creates it, and it is the conduit of culture.
In this workshop, we will explore the storied-nature of our lives – and of course our clients’ lives; how these stories are formed, how identity is storied, the role of culture, the politics of social life, the practice of deconstruction and re-authoring, the use of relational language, and related topics. Exercises in dyads, appropriate journal articles and other handouts, together with ample presenter-attendee dialogue, will support your learning.
Our continuing professional development events meet the quality standard recognised by many relevant
professional associations including psychology, social work, occupational therapy, mental health
nursing, community work, counselling, psychotherapy and more.
This event provides 6 hours of live interactive training and participants are required to complete the quiz in order to retrieve their certificate of completion.
We recommend checking with your association for the correct calculation of points for this event.
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handout 1 : NT Poststructuralism (449.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Handout 2 : Children , Trauma & subordinate storyline development (2.5 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Handout 3 : Documenting Trauma (69.6 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Handout 4 : Intro to Narrative Therapy (164.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Handout 5 : Externalising (2.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Text Document | Handout 6 : Interviewing a problem (34 KB) | Available after Purchase | |
| Handout 7 Presenter slides (889.5 KB) | 17 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Adrian van den Bok’s discovery of Narrative Therapy some twenty years ago, radically contributed to his practice and helped him become a much more useful therapist – and one who enjoyed his work a lot more. Over the past ten years he has had the pleasure of teaching Narrative Therapy to hundreds of students and experienced professionals. Adrian’s training includes: Analytical Psychotherapy, The Psychotherapy Centre, London; Accredited Diploma in Individual Psychotherapy & Relationship Counselling, Jansen Newman Institute, Sydney; Internship Certificate (supervised practice); Master’s Degree in Cultural Psychology – Narrative Studies, University of Western Sydney; Certified Focusing Oriented Therapist, the Focusing Institute, New York; faculty member, individual and group supervisor at the Jansen Newman Institute, Sydney; lecturer, Australian College of Applied Psychology; workshop leader, Centre for Community Welfare Training; supervision, coaching, counselling & psychotherapy in private practice; Clinical Member of CAPA (Counsellors And Psychotherapists Association of NSW); PACFA (Psychotherapists And Counsellors Federation of Australia) Registered, PACFA Accredited Supervisor. Adrian is a well known and highly regarded therapist, educator and supervisor
Learning objectives of this training:
"This seminar will introduce you to some intriguing ways of looking at people and their problems... ways that translate into happier clients and therapists.” Adrian van den Bok
How will you benefit from attending this training?
Morning Session (includes a short break)
Conceptions of self; the encapsulated self, relational self and no-self.
The role of language, discourse and social construction in the formation of identity, problems and approaches to problems.
Narrative/non-narrative distinctions.
Foucault and the normalising gaze.
The attribution of meaning. Positioning theory. Intentional states.
Afternoon Session (includes a short break)
Public representation and private testimony.
Mapping and the flow of narrative work. Re-authoring.
Externalising the problem.
Interviewing the problem.
Questions and answers, reflections on the day.
Evaluation and quiz - your payment includes a quiz which when completed with a minimum of 80% correct answers, will enable you to download your Attendance Certificate.
To complete the quiz, please log into your account at pdp-catalogue.com.au and click the orange "Certificate" button under the program's title.
For live webcasts, post-tests must be completed within one month of viewing the program.
This seminar has been designed to extend the clinical knowledge and applied skill of Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists, Social Workers, Community Workers, Mental Health Nurses and Psychiatrists.
Session One : 9:15 AM– 10:50 AM
Break : 10:50 AM – 11:10 AM
Session Two : 11:10 AM – 12:45 AM
Lunch Break : 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Session Three : 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Break : 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Session Four: 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
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