The Fateful Story: How Narratives Shape Health, Growth and Resilience

As counseling professionals, supervisors, and program directors we are called upon to witness suffering, pain, loss and upheaval and enable our clients and patients to make sense of that suffering such that it can, one day, become integrated into a more healthful living. Much of what is disturbing is captured in story: the narratives our clients have developed that represent their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

This approach complements current models of treatment with supportive tools and strategies, articulated in a range of fields including Narrative Psychology, Positive Psychology, Appreciative Inquiry, and Narrative Medicine. Participants will be invited to consider how to best influence positive change in their current practice or management role through examination of clinical vignettes, small group discussion, and in vivo practice of tools/perspectives.