Comments on: The Use of Narrative Therapy in the Transformative Work of Grief http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:14:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Therapist Highland Park http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5473 Therapist Highland Park Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:28:21 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5473 I think the author did an excellent job of acknowledging that not all clients are immediately ready for narrative therapy. Instead, sometimes some ground work needs to be done. I agree with this notion and have found myself in similar situations. It was certainly worth dealing with the other issues before freeing the client to re-author his or her current life or future. I think the author did an excellent job of acknowledging that not all clients are immediately ready for narrative therapy. Instead, sometimes some ground work needs to be done. I agree with this notion and have found myself in similar situations. It was certainly worth dealing with the other issues before freeing the client to re-author his or her current life or future.

]]> By: Therapist High Point http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5471 Therapist High Point Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:27:34 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5471 I have a good friend whose brother died in a car accident about 12 years ago. Every year on the night he died, her family gathers together at the spot he died at the time he died and talk about the good times they had with him. You wouldn't believe the number of people I work with who find this behavior to be unhealthy. As Ralph said, they think she really needs to move on and stop resurfacing this event every year. I always thought it was a wonderful idea and a great way to carry him with them as they move through a life he will always be disconnected from. I have a good friend whose brother died in a car accident about 12 years ago. Every year on the night he died, her family gathers together at the spot he died at the time he died and talk about the good times they had with him. You wouldn’t believe the number of people I work with who find this behavior to be unhealthy. As Ralph said, they think she really needs to move on and stop resurfacing this event every year. I always thought it was a wonderful idea and a great way to carry him with them as they move through a life he will always be disconnected from.

]]> By: Therapist Grinnell http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5445 Therapist Grinnell Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:12:22 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5445 I think that this model is interesting in that it seeks to continue to strengthen the bond someone has with a deceased loved one. So many people will tell clients that they need to move on and encourage clients to see the deceased as one segment of life. Carrying the deceased loved one through the rest of the stages in life appears to give the grieving client more hope and less loss. I think that this model is interesting in that it seeks to continue to strengthen the bond someone has with a deceased loved one. So many people will tell clients that they need to move on and encourage clients to see the deceased as one segment of life. Carrying the deceased loved one through the rest of the stages in life appears to give the grieving client more hope and less loss.

]]> By: Therapist Gaithersburg http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5419 Therapist Gaithersburg Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:59:09 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-5419 I think one reason stories work so well in therapy is b/c stories have been around as long as humans. Humans have always felt a need to tell and record their own stories and histories. A therapist helping a client to create a story that is different from what the client thought possible is very powerful. Seeing the possibilities goes a long way towards empowering a client to create them. I think one reason stories work so well in therapy is b/c stories have been around as long as humans. Humans have always felt a need to tell and record their own stories and histories. A therapist helping a client to create a story that is different from what the client thought possible is very powerful. Seeing the possibilities goes a long way towards empowering a client to create them.

]]> By: Rod Louden, M.A., MFT http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-4657 Rod Louden, M.A., MFT Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:40:31 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/10/08/the-use-of-narrative-therapy-in-the-transformative-work-of-grief/#comment-4657 Hi Beth, Have you read Michael Whites new book Maps of Narrative Practice? It is an awesome overview of Michael's work and Narrative applications. I enjoyed your article. I also use a lot narrative interventions in my work, including writing a post session letter to all of my clients. A great read in this area is David Epston's book (he co-wrote Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends with Michael) "Catchng up with David Epston - A collection of narrative practice-based papers." I had the pleasure of meeting Michael and touch base with him once in a while through email. Very gifted therapist! Anyway, may you have continued success. Rod Louden, M.A., MFT www.monsterrelationships.com Hi Beth,

Have you read Michael Whites new book Maps of Narrative Practice? It is an awesome overview of Michael’s work and Narrative applications. I enjoyed your article. I also use a lot narrative interventions in my work, including writing a post session letter to all of my clients. A great read in this area is David Epston’s book (he co-wrote Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends with Michael) “Catchng up with David Epston - A collection of narrative practice-based papers.” I had the pleasure of meeting Michael and touch base with him once in a while through email. Very gifted therapist!

Anyway, may you have continued success.

Rod Louden, M.A., MFT
http://www.monsterrelationships.com

]]>