Chapter 6: Narrative practice with families
In the 6th chapter of this course, we delve deeper into the relational. We learn about narrative practices for and with families and loved ones of sexually and gender expansive folk. And we will learn from the skills, practices, hopes, dreams and resistance of queer families.
In the 6th chapter of this course, we delve deeper into the relational. We learn about narrative practices for and with families and loved ones of sexually and gender expansive folk. And we will learn from the skills, practices, hopes, dreams and resistance of queer families.
In this video Zan (who previously went by Rosie) shares narrative practices they rely on in work with queer and trans young people and their loved ones including: resisting pathologisation of gender diverse young people; letters and documents; and externalising.
Note: Rosie now goes by Zan and they/them.
David Nylund (he/him) describes his non-binary approach to supporting cisgender parents of transgender young people including resisting the dichotomy of supportive/unsupportive, finding pathways for parents to stay connected to faith while affirming their child’s gender and honoring fear and loss while being accountable to the safety of trans young people.
Moments to treasure: Narrative family therapy with trans children and cisgender parents — David Nylund.
Kath Reid (she/her) co-researches local skills and knowledges of queer families in her community and introduces us to alternative meanings of ‘family’, ‘family’ as a verb, ways of resisting the invisibalising of queer families.
Dancing Our Own Steps: A Queer Families’ Project — Kath Reid
Reflection questions:
- What are the ideas of what ‘family’ is that inform your work or that are prevalent in the context you work in? Are these ideas that you find useful or not useful?
- What effect do these ideas have on the people you work with?
- How might you collaborate with the people you work with to sponsor diverse understandings of ‘family’?
