What’s Your Story? Exploring the Power of Narrative Therapy

Written by Daniel Kunkel | Originally published by Mind Meld Psychotherapy

Have you ever stopped to think about the stories you tell yourself? When something hard happens, do you think, “This happened to me” or “This happened because of me”?

The way we frame our experiences—consciously or not—shapes our emotions, our beliefs, and how we move through the world. Narrative therapy invites us to look at those internal stories and ask, “Is this version of the story helping me… or holding me back?”

📝 What Is Narrative Therapy?

Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages you to separate yourself from your problems so that you can examine them with greater clarity and compassion. It doesn’t ignore pain—but it challenges the idea that your identity is defined by it.

Through writing or conversation, narrative therapy helps you explore:

• How events have affected you

• What meaning you’ve assigned to them

• How those meanings influence your current emotions and behavior

You might write or speak in first person (“I felt…”) or third person (“She was afraid…”) to create distance from painful moments and reflect more objectively.

🧠 Getting Started at Home

Narrative therapy starts with a simple act: writing a version of your story. This isn’t just journaling—it’s paired with deconstruction, the process of breaking the experience into parts to better understand it.

Try asking yourself:

• “What caused me to feel this way?”

• “Why did I react that way?”

• “How did my thoughts shape my choices?”

This process encourages self-awareness, empowerment, and change—not by pretending problems don’t exist, but by giving you the tools to rewrite your relationship with them.

💡 Want to Explore More?

Narrative therapy can be incredibly powerful on its own or alongside traditional talk therapy. If you’re curious, grab a pen and paper and begin. Or work with a therapist trained in narrative techniques to go even deeper.

Further Reading

• 19 Best Narrative Therapy Techniques & Worksheets – positivepsychology.com

• What is Narrative Therapy? – thewriteofyourlife.org

📞 Want support in reframing your story? OSO Wellness offers therapy options in Texas and Virginia. Call us at (804) 409-7525 or visit our Client Portal to request an appointment.