Narrative therapy offers a distinctive and powerful perspective: body-focused repetitive behaviors is a story that has taken hold, not a fixed truth — and stories can be changed.
The Narrative Approach to Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Narrative therapy, developed by Michael White and David Epston, proposes that:
- Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors is externalized: it's something you're experiencing, not who you are
- Dominant stories about yourself can be unhelpful and incomplete
- Alternative stories — containing evidence of strength, agency, and values — already exist
- Re-authoring: deliberately constructing a new narrative that doesn't center body-focused repetitive behaviors
Key Narrative Therapy Techniques for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Externalizing conversations: 'The body-focused repetitive behaviors tells me...' rather than 'I believe...'
Unique outcomes: Finding exceptions — times when you resisted or overcame body-focused repetitive behaviors
Re-membering: Who in your life, past or present, would not be surprised by your capacity to address body-focused repetitive behaviors?
Finding a Narrative Therapist for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Narrative therapists are found through the International Journal of Narrative Therapy network and therapist directories. Training varies significantly — ask about specific narrative training.