Narrative therapy offers a distinctive and powerful perspective: chronic illness is a story that has taken hold, not a fixed truth — and stories can be changed.
The Narrative Approach to Chronic Illness
Narrative therapy, developed by Michael White and David Epston, proposes that:
- Chronic Illness 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 chronic illness
Key Narrative Therapy Techniques for Chronic Illness
Externalizing conversations: 'The chronic illness tells me...' rather than 'I believe...'
Unique outcomes: Finding exceptions — times when you resisted or overcame chronic illness
Re-membering: Who in your life, past or present, would not be surprised by your capacity to address chronic illness?
Finding a Narrative Therapist for Chronic Illness
Narrative therapists are found through the International Journal of Narrative Therapy network and therapist directories. Training varies significantly — ask about specific narrative training.