Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is a collaborative, non-pathologising approach that sees people as the authors of their own life stories. It separates the person from the problem and helps individuals rewrite limiting narratives in favour of more empowering ones.
What it is
Developed by Michael White and David Epston in the 1980s, narrative therapy rests on the premise that we make sense of our lives through story. The stories we tell about ourselves — and those told about us — shape our identity and our sense of what is possible.
Key concepts include externalisation (the problem is the problem, not the person), deconstruction of dominant narratives, and the search for 'unique outcomes' — moments that contradict the problem-saturated story and point toward an alternative, preferred narrative. The therapist or coach acts as a curious witness, asking questions that help the client thicken a richer, more resourceful self-story.
How it is used in coaching
Narrative approaches in coaching help clients identify the stories they carry about their capabilities, worth, or place in the world. By surfacing and questioning limiting narratives — 'I'm not a natural leader', 'I always fail under pressure' — coaches help clients construct alternative stories grounded in real evidence, shifting identity and expanding perceived possibility.
Key benefits & applications
Empowers clients as experts in their own lives; non-pathologising and collaborative; effective for identity work, career transitions, and overcoming self-limiting beliefs.
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