A Narrative Therapy Approach to Trauma and Addiction

Examine a narrative approach to trauma and addictions treatment that not only can provide immediate relief for clients but also is sustainable for counselors and therapists. Within narrative therapy, the telling of a traumatic story is not focused on what was done to the person, which can re-traumatize, but rather on their responses. Narrative therapists help people re-author traumatic experiences into stories about their intentions and values. This approach decentralizes the therapist, helping the therapist become less vulnerable to feelings of over-responsibility and thus preventing burnout. The workshop is accessible for people new to narrative therapy.