Who developed Narrative Therapy, and what is the central idea?

Who developed Narrative Therapy, and what is the central idea?

• A. Erickson
• B. White, White, & Epston
• C. Murray Bowen
• D. Virginia Satir

Answer: (B)

Narrative Therapy was developed by Michael White and David Epston. It treats our lives as shaped by the stories we tell, with problems seen as separate from the person. The central idea is to externalize the problem—to view it as something outside the person so they can critique its influence and notice moments when they acted differently (unique outcomes). This opens the door to re-authoring a preferred life story, using conversational techniques that emphasize language, meaning, and the person’s expertise in their own life. Other therapists—like Erickson, Bowen, and Satir—contributed important approaches, but Narrative Therapy specifically centers on externalizing the problem and rewriting one’s life narrative.

Narrative Therapy was developed by Michael White and David Epston. It treats our lives as shaped by the stories we tell, with problems seen as separate from the person. The central idea is to externalize the problem—to view it as something outside the person so they can critique its influence and notice moments when they acted differently (unique outcomes). This opens the door to re-authoring a preferred life story, using conversational techniques that emphasize language, meaning, and the person’s expertise in their own life. Other therapists—like Erickson, Bowen, and Satir—contributed important approaches, but Narrative Therapy specifically centers on externalizing the problem and rewriting one’s life narrative.