How does "narrative therapy" work in MFT?

Narrative therapy operates on the premise that individuals construct their identities and understand their lives through the stories they tell. In the context of marriage and family therapy, this approach encourages clients to explore, reflect upon, and re-author their personal narratives. By doing so, they can identify negative patterns or harmful beliefs that may have been shaped by their experiences and external influences.

The process of re-authoring is empowering, as it allows clients to take control of their personal narratives and to envision new possibilities for their future. This strength-based approach fosters a sense of agency and encourages clients to see themselves as active participants in their lives, rather than being defined by their problems or past experiences.

While other choices reference certain aspects that may occur in therapy, they do not correctly embody the core principles of narrative therapy. For example, eliminating past experiences entirely runs contrary to the therapeutic goal of understanding and reconstructing those experiences. Similarly, rewriting family rules may be relevant in a broader sense within family dynamics but does not specifically capture the essence of narrative therapy. Lastly, focusing exclusively on behavioral modification limits the broader and richer objectives of narrative therapy, which transcend mere behavior changes by emphasizing personal storytelling and identity transformation.