Because narrative therapy explores the effects of power and domination on the individuals sense of self, it has many

applications.
Narrative therapy can be especially effective

with people outside of the dominant social, cultural or sexual order. (2007, Saltzburg). with adolescents who have coping and self esteem issues due to language-literacy deficits. (2006, Apel, DiLollo &Wolter). with people who are affected by the hardship and trauma of war. (2005, Onyut, L., Neuner, F.,
Schauer, E., Ertl, V.,Odenwald, M., Schauer, M., Ebert, T.)

with substance abusers and their families.(2011, Danilopoulos, Daniil)

Diversity
Narrative Therapy can help individuals, families or communities

To look at the effect the dominant culture plays in how they see themselves and their lives. To recognize harmful cultural myths and discover alternative cultural myths that can strengthen the individual, family or community. who have had to hide certain aspects of themselves from the dominant society and who may have forgotten, ignored or failed to recognize the significance of their story. (2000, Morgan).

Always ask questions to which you do not know the answer.

Applications
For social workers in hospital settings

Understanding chronic pain from the patients point of view - bringing humanity to science. (2010, Brown, C.,
Bruce, D. & Berry, R.)

Easing ICU Trauma by helping patients regain control over their lives through reconstructing their trauma story enabling them to comprehend and manage their illness. (2009, Williams, S.)

Helping the elderly to tell their stories to sum up their lives and leave a legacy for those left behind.(2011, Stern, D.)

Stay Curious
Applications
For social workers in school settings

Helping adolescents communicate through writing letters. This helps them to remember conversations; enables them to thoughtfully reflect before responding; frees them from the intimidation of a face to face conversation.(2010, Kress, V. Hinkle, M., Protivnak, J.) Helping with eating disorders by objectifying the problem and defining it as separate from the person, resistance to the problem can be directed by the person against the problem. Identifying the dominating presence of the disorder is a major factor.( 2005, Lock, A., Epston, D., Maisel, R., de Faria, N.) Helping adolescents with language and literacy difficulties to see themselves as literate beings in order to succeed. (2006, Wolter,J., DiLollo, A & Apel, K.)

Applications
For social workers in community settings

Learning Disabled people and anger management-talking it through-an alternative to CBT. (2009, Foster, C. & Banes, J.). Victims of violence from survivors of spousal abuse to survivors of sexual abuse, war, poverty, and other hardship. Reconstructing the traumatic memory and emotions to relieve PTSD. (2005, Onyut, L. et al.) Adjusting to a new disability-gradual hearing loss. (2009, Harvey, M.) Helping adolescents cope with loss and trauma in a community setting. (2011, Umbers, A.)

Limitations of the Approach

Issues with Narrative Therapy
The concept of universal truth is rejected, meaning that the individual, family or community creates its own story. Knowledge is subjective. Deconstructing the dominant story is difficult because clients focus on the negative events of its presence. Assessing effectiveness is difficult due to problems with measuring a personal narrative. (2000, Morgan) Clients should capable of communicating their thoughts and feelings. Would not be appropriate with psychotics, schizophrenics etc.
In the movie, Down Came a Blackbird, set in a clinic for victims of torture run by a holocaust survivor, Raul Julia plays a former torturer posing as a victim of torture to escape imprisonment.

Research
Research during development

Committed to encouraging rigorous research about the effectiveness of narrative therapy.

Committed to honoring one of the major intentions of Michael White

Evaluation
While there is not a lot of literature on the effectiveness of narrative therapy, there is a list of studies on the Dulwich Centre website and the research fund mentioned above which is committed to doing further research. Some of the articles referenced in this presentation included evidenced based studies. Narrative Exposure Therapy for 7- to 16-yearolds:A Randomized Controlled Trial With Traumatized Refugee Children How do you write pain? A preliminary study of narrative therapy for people with chronic pain.

The person is not the problem. The problem is the problem.

Implications for Social Work

Applications for Family Centered Social Workers

To build on the concept of narrative therapy to include the physical body and its memories of trauma or pleasure. To utilizing a strengths based method to explore alternative ways of knowing yourself, others and the biopsychosocial environment in order to enhance the planned change process. To recognize the effects of power, privilege and oppression in order to empower the voice of the other in oppressed minorities and in ourselves. To re-author or reframe life stories to emphasize and celebrate survival rather than victimization. To be open to integrating concepts of bilingualism and magical realism into therapy in order to learn your hearts language. (2010, Polanco).

References

Apel, K., DiLollo, A. & Wolter, J.(2006). A narrative therapy approach to counseling: A model for working with adolescents and adults with language-literacy deficits. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, Vol. 37 Issue 3, p168-177 Brown, C., Bruce, D. & Berry, R. How do you write pain? A preliminary study of narrative therapy for people with chronic pain. Diversity in Health & Care; 2010, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p43-56

Danilopoulos, Daniil, 2011) Rooftop dreams: Steps during a rite of passage from a life dominated by the effects of drugs and abuse to a 'safe and full of care' life. International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work. Issue 2, p40-50. Dulwich Center
Foster, C. & Banes, J. (2009). Use of a narrative therapy approach with a man with a learning disability: an alternative to cognitive behavioural therapy? Advances in Mental Health & Learning Disabilities, Vol. 3 Issue 1, p52-55 Gibbs, S. (N.D.) The story hour: The use of narrative therapy with families. Serendip. Retrieved from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/577 Harvey, M. (2009). Preparing for battle against hearing loss: A narrative therapy approach. Journal of the American Deafness & Rehabilitation Association. Vol. 42 Issue 2, p114-127. Kress, V., Hinkle, M., Protivnak, J. (2011). Letters From the Future: Suggestions for Using Letter Writing as a School Counselling Intervention. Australian Journal of Guidance & Counselling; Vol. 21 Issue 1, p74-84,

References
Continued

Lecky, S. (2009). Recovering from the psychological impact of intensive care: how constructing a story helps. Nursing in Critical Care.Vol. 14 Issue 6, p281-288. Lock, A, Epston, D. Maisel, R. de Faria, N.(2005). Resisting anorexia/bulimia: Foucauldian perspectives in narrative therapy. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. Vol. 33, No. 3, Morgan, A. (2000). What is narrative therapy. Retrieved from http://www.newriver.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2011/01/10%20Narrative.pdf Onyut, L., Neuner, F., Schauer, E., Ertl, V.,Odenwald, M., Schauer, M., Ebert, T (2005). Narrative Exposure Therapy as a treatment for child war survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: Two case reports and a pilot study in an African refugee settlement . BMC Psychiatry. Vol. 5, p7-9 Polanco, M. (2010). Rethinking narrative therapy: An examination of bilingualism and magical realism. Journal of Systemic Therapies. Vol. 29 Issue 2, p1-14. Saltzburg, S. (2007). Narrative Therapy Pathways for Re-authoring with Parents of Adolescents Coming-out as Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, Vol. 29 Issue 1/2, p57-69. Stern, D. (2011). Narrative therapy at any age. International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work. Issue 1, p57-64. Umbers, A. ( 2011). The green bubble: Narrative, time away in the bush, and restoring personal agency after hardtimes. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. Whitley, P. (Producer), Sanger, J. (Director). (1995). Down Came a Blackbird. (Motion Picture). USA. Chanticleer Films.