Exploring Modalities: Narrative Therapy
by Patricia McGuire, LPC-MHSP
8/14/2025
My therapeutic approach is integrative and eclectic, which means I utilize different therapy modalities (or processes) in my counseling work with clients. I believe treating each individual uniquely and holistically is key to the therapeutic relationship and path of healing. (Take a look at all my modalities here).
Narrative therapy sees you as the expert on your own life and focuses on the stories you tell to yourself about your experiences. Your personal narratives shape you and effect your mental health. Instead of seeing the challenges of your life as inherent to who you are, narrative therapy helps you separate yourself from your challenges and rewrite your story to support healing and growth. This approach recognizes your strengths, values, and skills as assets to change how you manage difficulties. It also takes into account your life context — including class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
Narrative therapy helps us investigate your personal narratives, put pieces together and take pieces apart, to reorganize and build a personal narrative that is distinct, authentic, flexible, and empowering to you.
Here are a few core guiding principles of narrative therapy:
deconstruct unhelpful and dominant personal storylines
explore your personal narratives in small, manageable pieces
challenge and rewrite untrue or unhelpful storylines
broaden your personal narrative to include greater context and awareness (including exploring thoughts and emotions)
externalize problems and difficulties (because you are not the problem)
I am an active participant with you in this process — collaborating with dialogue, challenges, observations, and possibilities. In session, I may ask “What story are you telling yourself?” and “Do we know that story is true?” and “Is that the full story?” By considering different views and perspectives, you can understand yourself with more compassion, openness, and nuance.
Narrative therapy helps you reshape limiting beliefs and promote resilience through the power of story. You are invited to reclaim authorship of your life, which aids in meaning making and finding purpose.
Go deeper: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/narrative-therapy
If you’d like to explore these ideas further, connect with Patricia McGuire here
