Narrative
Narrative therapy is founded on the belief that our identities are shaped by the personal accounts of our lives, found in the stories we tell. In narrative therapy, the conversations between client and therapist are respectful, non-judgmental and interactive. A narrative therapist will help the client to act as an investigator, asking probing questions to help the client explore and assess their relationship to a problem and identify opportunities for positive change.
Local experts in Narrative
Amanda Holden, LPC, CADC-I (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
I firmly believe that although you may need support or guidance to reach your therapeutic goals, you are the expert on your own life and you are not your problems. Since my extensive research into Narrative Therapy during my graduate studies, I have utilized this form of psychotherapy to help clients re-author their own lives.
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Caitlin Beckwith-Ferguson (she/her)
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
I often hear clients tell me, "I should be doing this." I ask, "Where did you learn that?" Together, we will examine the socio-cultural narratives that have impacted the way that you perceive yourself and your relationships. We will consider what narratives fit and what do not fit. We will explore the story that you are currently living out, leading you to a deeper understanding of yourself. We will work to re-story your narrative so that you feel empowered in your own life.
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Amanda Best (she/her/hers)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
LMFT-A
Whether your looking to re-author the story of your life, align with a new narrative, or deconstruct dominant narratives, working with narrative therapy is a great way for us to co-author your story. My skills as a narrative therapist are focused on facilitating the process of narrative exploration and reconstruction, helping clients gain a fresh perspective on their lives, and empowering them to make meaningful changes in the stories they tell about themselves and their relationship.
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Kelle DeBruin (she/her)
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
LMFT, Supervisor
Society offers us a narrative of how life 'should be' or 'is supposed to be' according to the details of who we are and the life experiences that we have had along the way. Narrative Therapy approaches those spoken and unspoken stories of who we are supposed to be and allows for further understanding of the narrative and how we desire to construct our narrative moving forward.
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Emily Chavez-Nguyen (She/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
NCC, Professional Counselor Associate (OR), LMHC (WA)
We all tell stories about and to ourselves, they can both lift up and tear down. Often times, we are not even aware of the stories we are clinging too, as we have been taught some from a very young age, often unintentionally. It's important to explore these stories. and we may even need to rewrite a few in order to heal.
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Ajay Dheer (He/They)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
Of all the orientations I have studied, narrative therapy has always resonated. Throughout my education, I have centered narrative techniques in my academic and applied work. In practice, I draw on narrative therapy to separate my clients from their problems in hopes of reducing feelings of guilt and shame.
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Robin Carlisle (She/her)
Professional Counselor
To make meaning is human. Like monkeys are the funny ones and birds are the flyers, we are the storyteller. The stories you tell about yourself and others, about the world around you, create the narrative of your life. So what then if some aspect of your life is not working? You tell a different story. I will help you. And whats better? You will come to believe it!
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Mitch Bacon, MA, LMFT
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
I value and honor the story each person has to tell. When individuals, families, and communities collaborate to begin writing the story they want to exist in, changes occur. Through narrative therapy, I assist clients in exploring how problems get stuck in the language we use to communicate to ourselves and others, while helping you to start telling a story that serves as a catalyst for change.
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Michaela Christopher (she/her)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
M.A. Marriage, Couple, & Family Therapy
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Tori Morrison (she/they)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
M.A., Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
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Caitlin "Caity" Lynch (She/Her)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MS, NCC
All of our lives are full of stories we live, stories we tell ourselves, and stories we take in from the families, cultures, and larger political and social systems we inhabit. A narrative approach helps you to make seen the unseen, to examine power dynamics in relationships, to honor historical experiences and bring a new lens to heal, bring hope, and create a new story for your future.
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Laura La Rosa (She/Her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
MA, MSW, LCSW
I have completed specialized training and practice in narrative based interventions. I empower my clients to explore their personal narrative, dis-empowering old story lines that no longer serve them ultimately encouraging them to craft a new narrative that embodies who they truly are. You are the navigator of your life and together will will identify a sustainable path to well being.
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Otoniel "Toni" Calderon (He/They)
Professional Counselor Associate
M.A.
As a trained narrative therapist, I focus on the stories that a person says about themselves and how these stories affect their lives. I help clients explore potential alternative stories about themselves that may be less psychologically damaging/harmful and more psychologically beneficial.
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Alana Kirkendall (she/they)
Professional Counselor Associate
R8386
Humans are creatures of stories. Our world and our lives are built by stories and there are times where they are beneficial and empowering, other times where these stories are harmful and limiting. Inside of narrative therapy, clients explore their own stories and how they have helped as well as how they have harmed the client. This allows clients to explore and untangle their stories, leading to the authoring of new stories that uplift, empower, and open new opportunities and experiences.
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Natasha Laumei, MA, LPC (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC LMHC
Narrative therapy examines the ways we are influenced by the stories we tell about our selves and our lives. When we explore these narratives and our ability to retell our stories in new ways we realize a powerful opportunity for healing. I have found narrative therapy to be an incredibly effective therapeutic tool -- fun, creative, and transformative.
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Judy Marantz-Herzberg (she/her)
Social Worker
LCSW and LSSW (Licensed School Social Worker)
We learn about ourselves from stories our families, cultures, and societies tell. Some narratives are oppressive, limiting our possibilities and potentials. Others empower us, highlighting successes and strengths. I love helping people uncover incidents that shed light on unique qualities and experiences. Together, we co-author truer narratives that guide us to our potentials.
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Kristin Schuchman (she/her)
Professional Counselor
MSW, CSWA
Narrative theory involves taking a close look at the stories we tell ourselves and seeing what we can do to tell a more constructive story. For instance, a woman who has experienced bullying or abuse in a work setting can over time reflect on the experience as an episode in resilience as she considers the solid work she was able to complete despite a toxic culture. Lars and the Real Girl is my favorite example of a movie that portrays narrative theory at its best.
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Haley Jones (they/them)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, LPC
Narrative therapy involves exploring the impacts of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, the world, and other people. Humans are meaning makers and the stories we tell ourselves impact the way think, feel, and show up in the world.
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Kelley O'Gorman (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MFT LPC
I am a believer in hearing yourself tell your story. Many times it has been in our mind for so long, that hearing it out loud it pretty powerful. Sometimes even funny to realize what you've been telling yourself. I am curious about your internal dialog. Is it happy & healthy? What we think becomes how we act & resond.
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Krystal Marcinkiewicz
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
As clients are the author of their own life, I enjoy utilizing narrative therapy as a way to assist in creating change in thought patterns and separating self from the problem(s). Re-writing the negativity in your story can reflect your strengths and capabilities.
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Donna Prinzmetal (she/her)
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
As a writer and a therapist, I am interested in stories. We live our lives based on our histories and the stories we have lived as well as the ones we tell ourselves. I sometimes use writing therapy to access and understand the narratives that have informed my clients' lives. If you know and understand your story, you have choices and it is easier to shape a new one.
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Jeff Guenther (he/him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC
Narrative therapy is my favorite therapeutic orientation. It’s the treatment that I study the most and find very compelling. I often observe the most improvement in clients when I use this type of counseling. Introducing new ways of thinking and believing can be a tricky thing but with the training and passion I have for it I often times see success.
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Lauren Stines (she/they)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MA MCFT
As natural storytellers, how we write, review, and edit the story of our lives matters. The stories we hold influence our perceptions, sense of self, feelings and actions. In my work as an integrative therapist, I allow the client's emotional process in session give life and imagery to the stories they hold. Therapy sessions give us the opportunity to rewrite the portions of our story that have been lost or skewed by the trauma or developmental stage they were formed within.
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Liz Powell (they/them)
Clinical Psychologist
CA PSY 27871; OR PSY 3068
The stories we have about ourselves and our world often drive the way that we move through our lives. I was lucky enough to receive 2+ years of Narrative Therapy specific training throughout graduate school. I want to help you look at the stories you have about yourself, others, and the world and see how those stories are affecting your life.
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Stephanie Avery (she/her)
Professional Counselor Associate
M.Ed.
Narrative Therapy examines the myriad stories we carry with us that influence our present day lives. Some of our stories are known, some of them are hidden, and some are waiting for an opportunity to be brought to life. Through Narrative Therapy, I help clients experience their life stories in new ways that are both meaningful and fulfilling.When we are able to bear witness to our stories and discover their complexity through exploration, that is when we have a true opportunity to grow.
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Bob Kleinjan (he/him)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSW
We all have a unique story to tell and narrative work can be a creative and rewarding way to heal, grow, and find peace in our lives. Humans have been finding meaning in stories for thousands of years and I'm experienced in applying this innate ability to the work of therapy. Learning how to retell our stories in a more balanced way can be enlightening, empowering, and transformative.
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Danièla Murrieta (they, them)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MA, MFT, RYT, RM
Using Narrative Therapy, I help you get to know these stories you have and begin to identify what you really believe and value.
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Taylor Kravitz (She/Her/Hers)
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
MA, LMFT
We all have stories about ourselves, our relationships, and our sexuality. Sometimes these stories keep you stuck in anxiety, shame, guilt and disconnection. Using Narrative Therapy, I help you get to know these stories you have and begin to identify what you really believe and value. Narrative Therapy also involves looking at how your family, past partners, and societal messaging may impact these stories that hold you back.
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Jenna Washburn (she / her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA: Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions
Narrative therapy enriches my counseling techniques by: bringing in elements of larger societal narratives impacting clients; allowing the clients space to tell and oftentimes rewrite their own story; and providing a creative space for metaphor, imagery, and exploration.
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Jillyan Medina (she/her)
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
MA, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
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Art Chaklader (He/Him)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, NCC
Everyone has a story. Whether you think about your life story, or have not in awhile, it has had huge impact on who you are today. This is why when we feel lost in life, it can be so grounding to reconnect with your life story. This is exactly my aim. We start from the beginning, and tie your narrative to what is happening today. This gives you back your story, and helps you continue it on.
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