EFTA RESEARCH CAFE: Transforming Narratives in Therapy: Contributions from Therapeutic Process Research

With Joana Sequeira

Chairperson: Matthias Ochs

Individuals, families, and societies engage in the construction of meaning and historical identities through storytelling processes. Therapeutic narrative approaches are centered around the deconstruction and reconstruction of stories, aiming to introduce complexity and diversity by bringing forth alternative voices and versions of events that enrich narratives about individuals and their challenges. The process of storytelling in therapy involves a focus on narrative dimensions that evolve during therapeutic interventions, leading to changes in the narratives presented.
Research on therapeutic processes, particularly focusing on narrative change in therapy sessions, has been conducted using the Assessment System of Narrative Change (ASNC) (Sequeira & Alarcão, 2012) with a sample size of 139 sessions. The analysis of these sessions sheds light on the narrative transformations and dimensions that are associated with both good and poor therapeutic outcomes. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of narrative changes on the effectiveness of therapy.
By delving into the complexities of storytelling processes within therapy, practitioners can better understand the dynamics of narrative change and its implications for therapeutic outcomes.

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