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