Drawing on narrative and developmental theory and numerous psychotherapies, this workshop offers a unique and comprehensive introduction to understanding and utilizing story in psychotherapy. As humans, narrative is central to our communication, our cognition, and our memory. Even our understanding of our self is storied. As a result, the coin of psychotherapy is narrative. Despite the ubiquity of narrative, most of us receive very little education in the structure of narrative and its application to psychotherapy. Through explanation, exercises, discussion, and demonstration, this workshop will incorporate an introduction to narrative theory, including the parts and patterns of story, the developmental psychology of story, and change processes in narrative and psychotherapy. Case examples and opportunities to practice are offered throughout. Read More
Narrative Psychotherapy: Co-changing Stories, Co-changing Lives – Hugh Marr
Drawing on narrative and developmental theory and numerous psychotherapies, this workshop offers a unique and comprehensive introduction to understanding and utilizing story in psychotherapy. As humans, narrative is central to our communication, our cognition, and our memory. Even our understanding of our self is storied. As a result, the coin of psychotherapy is narrative. Despite the ubiquity of narrative, most of us receive very little education in the structure of narrative and its application to psychotherapy. Through explanation, exercises, discussion, and demonstration, this workshop will incorporate an introduction to narrative theory, including the parts and patterns of story, the developmental psychology of story, and change processes in narrative and psychotherapy. Case examples and opportunities to practice are offered throughout. Read More
Participants will practice recognizing the parts of narrative in clinical vignettes. With an understanding of the parts and dynamics of story we will turn our attention to life stories, foundational stories, and their relationship to the self. Through explanation and brief exercises, participants will also gain an introduction to the developmental psychology of narrative.
All of our life stories have evolved in a family crucible; and family is a microcosm of culture. Each of us clinicians have our own foundational and life stories. We will examine the underpinnings of these in an exercise of mapping family influences on our own narrative, then using that map in self supervision.
Given our storied organization, all psychotherapies must deal with narrative. Only a few do so directly. Most therapies do so implicitly, focusing on only a limited number of aspects of story. With an understanding of narrative theory and of narrative development, we will then discuss the narrative scaffolding that connects diverse theories and modes of psychotherapy. From here we will turn to an understanding of universal processes of change. We will examine ways to change stories; and we will broaden our understanding and use of different therapies to impact differing aspects of both foundational and life stories. We will then apply what we have learned about change processes and narrative to an introduction to the psychotherapy of trauma. The result allows attendees to expand their own approach; or to craft an integrative approach based upon narrative. Participants will come away with greater ease and more tools to help clients change the problematic stories they live.
TRAINING information
Learning Objectives
This workshop is designed to enable participants to:
- Gather and use client’s foundational stories to help them understand and change their life stories
- Given a client’s verbal or written narrative, identify the story elements and its approximate developmental phase and use those to respond in a targeted and sensitive manner
- List which aspects of narrative and which change processes the participant’s own method of psychotherapy utilizes
- Develop and use their own Family of Origin Map to identify how to improve their relationship with a given client
- Describe the broken narrative aspects of trauma and how that can be used in healing
- Describe one use of story-based ritual to assist therapists in creating healthy boundaries between work life and home life
About the Speaker
Hugh Marr, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in the private practice of psychotherapy in the Washington, DC area. He consults to other professionals and healthcare agencies in the fields of psychotherapy and substance abuse. He has taught both substance abuse counseling and psychotherapy at area universities; and has worked in all phases of community mental health, culminating in running a partial hospital program for clients with the co-occurring disorders of substance use and major mental illness. He is the author of A Clinician’s Guide to Foundational Story Psychotherapy:Co-changing Narratives, Co-changing Lives (Routledge, 2020); and the coauthor with Carol Pearson, Ph.D. of the Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator and of the books What Story Are You Living? (CAPT, 2009) and Introduction to Archetypes (CAPT, 2002). His forthcoming workbook for a general audience, scheduled for publication in March of 2023, will be titled Finding Your Story.
CPD/CE
CPD / CE / NBCC credits available: 3
How do I receive these credits?
The participant must pass the multiple-choice test with a minimum score of 80%. There is a maximum of three attempts to achieve this.
The post-test is included in the price of the training.
Does my regulatory body accept the credits?
The CPD & CE credits awarded can be used towards your declaration to any governing regulatory body in your state or country, provided the content is relevant to your discipline.
Our trainings are accredited by:
– The CPD Group, London
– Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
– Australian Counselling Association
– National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)