Collective Narrative Practices & Innovation Projects
The innovative projects which we discuss in this chapter draw on collective narrative practices that are concerned with responding to groups and communities who have experienced significant social suffering and oppression in contexts in which ‘therapy’ may not be culturally resonant. Collective Narrative Practices have a rich history and engage a diverse range of methodologies that can be used with individuals, groups and communities. In this chapter, we will just touch on a few methodologies …
“As counsellors, therapists, psychosocial workers and community workers, stories of hardship find their way to us. In some ways, we are cultural receivers of stories of suffering (Waldegrave, Tamaseses, Tuhaka & Campbell, 2003). And often this suffering is linked to broader injustices: to violence, abuse, racism, poverty, sexism, heterosexual dominance. To be the cultural receivers of these stories brings with it awesome responsibilities; for instance there are responsibilities to comfort and to somehow alleviate hardship. But there is another responsibility that I am hoping we will also engage with. How can we receive these stories and engage with them in ways that not only alleviate individual sorrow, but also enable and sustain local social action to address the broader injustices, violence and abuses in our varying contexts? How can we provide forums for the sorrow, anguish and hardship of the stories that we receive to be transformed into collective actions? I don’t mean grand social actions, I mean local, meaningful, resonant, sustainable, social action or social contributions’ (Denborough, 2008, p. 192)
For a link to the book you can visit Collective Narrative Practice by David Denborough
The following paper is an example of conversations that have taken place in a number of villages in rural Malawi. Here practitioners engage problems in a personification with one worker playing the role of Mr/Mrs AIDS, who represents HIV/AIDS; and another plays the role of Mr/Mrs CARE, who represents the community. Members of the village are invited to ask questions of these two characters, and a conversation develops. Please click on the link to read about this compelling example of collective practice!
Little by Little we Make a Bundle
In this interview, Paulo Freire describes some of his thinking about oppression, ethical responsibilities and how these shape possibilities for social change. The work of Paulo Freire has influenced the development of collective narrative practices.
Making History and Unveiling Oppression
The Mt Elgon Self-Help Community Project, based in rural Uganda, uses narrative practices to spark and sustain local social action and environmental and economic projects. This video contains some of the stories of the work of Caleb Wakhungu and the Mt Elgon project.
One of the ways in which the field of narrative practice continues to diversify is through innovation projects. These are often the result of collaborations, invitations and challenges. Many of them involve ‘cross-cultural inventions’ and partnerships. You might like to explore some of these examples:
Life Saving Tips from young Australian Muslims
Healing Stories Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
For more projects of this kind you can see the full list here:
Many narrative therapists and community workers are now using music and song in their work with individuals, groups, and communities. This page contains songs created during various Dulwich Centre projects both in Australia and overseas, as well as links to find out more about the contexts they were created in.
Songs as a response to hardship and trauma
You can listen to David Denborough discussing the use of song in narrative practice on the radio program ‘Songcatcher’, a Radio Adelaide production.
For Reflection
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time? What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity? In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
What do you think? Have you got an idea that might be interesting to exchange with others? Please let us know and share your thoughts on this chapter below before moving on. Please include where you are writing from (City and Country). Thanks!
elsie
June 27, 2023(Elsie, writing from Northern Rivers NSW)
I loved this chapter! I have been so inspired by the stories of collective narrative practices. I particulary liked the diversity of projects. It has really helped me to have a broader picture and expand my imagination on all the ways that narrative practices can be used in community contexts.
The project that particularly impacted me was the one shared between the Aboriginal communities of Port Augusta and Yolgnu communities. I have actually read this article before, once in high school and once in uni. Years later, it seems even more potent to read it now. I love the way the team of narrative practitioners become the messenger between communities. To me this is an excellent example of how community development workers should work. The process seems to really be informed and sensitive as to how to best work with complex social issues in culturally appropriate ways, how to let the community itself speak, lead and decide on the direction of the project, and how to keep all documentation, words and knowledges as the property of that community,
The way in which narrative practices were used to first richly document the experiences of community members, and then to retell, share and respond is incredibly inspiring to me. I think creating a document with real accounts of people’s skills, cultural knowledges and experiences. Is such a valuable tool. I wondered though if a written document would always be relevant, eg in oral cultures. Yet as I read on about the project I was inspired by the practice of retelling these stories, orally reading them or letting others read them in an appropriate “ceremonial” way. I see the tremendous value in having an outsider witnesses hear and then respond to stories. Especially when these outsider witnesses have experienced similar challenges. There are so many layers of healing here.
I would like to use a similar process in my own work. To act as a messenger. To facilitate and encourage the rich description and telling of stories. To document it in that persons words, acknowledging and highlighting skills, cultural knowledges and innovations already being taken to overcome this challenge. Linking these stories to others facing similar hardships in order to generate solidarity and support. Retell these stories, documents responses, share them again. In this way this communities can lead their own healing journey and exponentially build strength, resilience and inspiration.
Neda Shavandi
June 18, 2023Thank you for this overview I found navigating this course simple and easy to follow. I much appreciate the time
Elena Brieno
June 9, 2023Elena From Cd. Juaréz, México
This lesson was so interesting to me, the way different colleagues work in groups results me wonderful. Every project touches a part of me and makes me ask how I can apply this with my individual patients. Now I have a client with a lot of losses, and this had several impacts on her present life. I´ll work a variation of The Tree of Life with a real tree, with the purpose that she can connect with her own stories, with her important persons (that passed away), and remember the good things that they brought to her life. To conclude I hope that the pain of her losses will be re significant and give her the opportunity to move on
rmgarland
June 6, 2023Hi, I’m Megan from Hamilton, Victoria, Australia.
“To tell their stories in ways that make them stronger”… I love it.
I love the method used in Uganda to help the community to change, to develop their own methods, to support these, and celebrate their successes. Recording these on a banner stands out to me. And as a music teacher in other parts of my life, the idea of writing songs has begun a new level of thought in me… using “songs to transform experiences of hardship”.
Nancy C.
May 31, 2023Little by Little we make a bundle – I loved the way that this phrase is used as a metaphor to show strength in numbers
Lisa Michaels
May 26, 2023Lisa Michaels, writing from Sonoma County, California. I was deeply moved by the Tree of Life exercise, which I hope to use with my writing students. We currently make a life timeline, but the tree metaphor seems more likely to produce “thick” stories.
Isaac Gallaway
May 25, 2023I am amazed at how the power of music unlocks pieces of the human soul. Songs are another story that we carry with us that share our histories, traditions, and who we are. There are common elements of humanity embedded within them.
I really enjoyed the projects of the Australian Teenage Muslims because it shares the challenges and perspectives they face, as well as remind us that we’ve all be in places where we’ve felt scared, judged, hopeful, and the variety of emotions that go along with living. I also admire the acknowledgement from the Ugandan village of recognizing their youth and calling forth a new story. It is empowering to live the story, but even more so to pass on the story to the next generation to make and shape as their own.
Personally, I think I will begin experimenting by giving people the permission to film their life in a short documentary. There are so many tools out there that the average person can utilize that can capture video, but the buy in and ability to create a story is empowering to people. Whether it’s humor, seriousness, or a dash of everything – there is power in understanding “What is the message they’re trying to communicate?” From the things shown and not shown, said and unsaid, there is power in seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.
Thank you for sharing the stories and testimonies of those that have gone before. I greatly appreciated this module.
dyc123
May 24, 2023Hello from Toronto, Canada. My name is Dawn and I am so grateful for this learning experience offered at Dulwich Centre. The power of the word expressed through music and art captured my heart. Listening intently to the lyrics in a song describing the experiences of trauma at nine years old moved me to tears.
I
Nina Mc
May 15, 2023(Sydney, Australia) There were so many aspects here that I love. Particularly I love the idea of creating a local library of goals and reflections so that the community can access, learn and support each other in their dreams. The generosity that sparks from sharing skills and knowledge feels wonderful to reflect on. Also the idea of having the community respond in meaningful and respectful ways to stories feels so healing and validating.
ahunt
May 15, 2023Hi, I am Alison, from Toronto, Canada. I found the healing stories through songs to be really impactful. I became emotional listening to many of the songs. The one that really got to me was the one from Mary Heath – Questions. It was so impactful because it changed the conversation about domestic violence. I found all of these projects were able to really open up difficult conversations and help people see their own resilience, rather than dwelling on the painful parts of their lives. It also seems that narrative therapy sets in motion actions for how people can make change in their lives. It seems to motivate people to develop plans and commit to them. Thank you, I have been really impacted by this chapter.
lisapagebouley
April 25, 2023Hi! I’m Lisa Page-Bouley from the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People (Nova Scotia, Canada). The project that stands out most for me at this time is the tree of life project. The reason for this is that it has a wonderful resource that could be used and adapted, and that it seems to be a wonderful way to emphasize different aspects of our life using words and representations (art). When people are particularly focused on a problematic story, it is sometimes useful to step away and see the bigger picture, in order to be able to draw on strengths, skills and knowledge, as well as their social context and personal histories. I would be curious to try it myself so that I could reflect on the value in order to better understand the applications from first hand experience.
mcosta_01
April 6, 2023Meg writing from Philadelphia, PA – USA
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
The tree of life activity stands out to me the most at this time because I could definitely use this concept as a group activity at my job on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The walls are pretty empty and I would love the chance to create a strong, unique forest with the patients I work with.
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
I’ve done similar activities to creating the tree, (such as thinking of yourself as a house and categorizing the different rooms personality traits, coping skills, attachment needs, dreams, etc.) but I’ve never had the patients collectively hang their artwork on the wall. The added fact that this collective hanging of trees results in a “strong forest” makes this project all the more appealing to me. I am always telling patients that community is healing, that we heal relation wounds by making new healthy relations. I predict most of the patients will feel validated and affirmed to be considered a part of something like this, and having visual evidence of their participation reinforces their feelings of belonging.
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I will certainly try the tree of life activity where I work. This activity may also work when I begin to see clients individually. Although I cannot make a forest this way, it may still be helpful for some clients to complete the tree making activity as a homework/journaling activity, or in session with me.
Lynn
March 30, 2023I appreciate the examples of narrative practice. Innovative projects like the Tree of Life and Refugee Stories uses narrative practice invited client’s wisdom and lived experiences to share their experiences to address issues like trauma, social injustice, and mental health. The Tree of Life helps individuals explore strengths and resources by creating a visual representation of their life experiences, while Refugee Stories uses storytelling to challenge negative stereotypes and educate the wider community about refugee experiences. I love how narrative practice create space by recognizing the power of storytelling and individuals’ meaning making, it creates spaces for marginalized voices to be heard. I am amazed by how these projects promote healing, resilience, and social change.
Olena
March 23, 2023Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
For me the Tree of Life project looks fascinating. I’m really amazed by the idea and the concept, how people can put their stories into a drawing. It can be an interesting experience.
Another thing which caught my attention is a phrase “to rescue the words”. It sounds interesting and promising an adventure, exploring the story of person through their own view, with their own words.
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
I am curious to create my own tree of life, it’s really interesting how it will look like.
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I can try using it at the sessions with clients. also I can use it with my own kids.
Olena, from Dubai, UAE
tay
March 22, 2023The Tree of Life Project stands out to me the most, I have previously used this tool in my professional role and will be using this again in the future. I enjoy how different and unique they can be for an individual, with use of symbols/words/drawings and how the tree visually draws on strengths, skills and hopes, dreams. Celebrating life and relationships. Whilst also allowing safe space for reflection to support individuals with challenges. I love the freedom and flexibility of this tool and the opportunity to create a forest connecting of tree’s without having to verbally communicate or isolate an individual. I would make use of being creative and use natural resources to experiment with this tool or use a range of mediums including paint/paper/objects/pens.
susan fagerland
March 10, 2023Yarra Junction, Victoria, Australia.
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
I live in a small community and notice how many people of all ages are isolated, with no family or friends near them. They regularly come into the local supermarket and that is their weekly social engagement. I would like to form a gathering of sorts once or twice a week to decrease this isolation and their feelings of depression. This would reinforce a sense of community, some of these people could live close to each other and could feel comfortable enough to visit each other beyond the group.
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
Witnessing the difference these projects can make to communities while gaining support from people they may not have ordinarily speak to. Age can often stop people from talking to each other, but there are many benefits for older people while younger people get a sense of belonging, being a part of something, listening to the different lifestyles. All participants can learn from one another.
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I feel that would depend on the individuals, each person has their own way of dealing with their issues, have a variety of techniques available and let each person get a feel for what works for them, alternatively, they may come up with something that they would prefer, so for me learning to have the flexibility to allow people work with what they have.
Kevin O’Sullivan
March 5, 2023This module brings home to me how much, as clinicians, or psychologists, or therapists, we are socialised into focussing on and in the individual. In acknowledging the constitutionalist nature of the personal story, Narrative Practice also acknowledges the connectedness of persons within multiple communities of culture, gender, sexuality, nationality, class, age, the list goes on. It makes all the sense in the world, therefore, to think of the work as being done in social contexts and with social ties. Such a lot of this is already happening in some of the groups that bring people together to comfort and achieve. It’s another iteration of the mutual aid groups of William Schwartz from the sixties, and of Kropotkin before him, with the insights drawn from Narrative Practice about the construction of story. A social project I have been thinking about for a while, is a writers’ group, and this module has encouraged me to take it a step further. Despite my individualistic training in my discipline, I have always (although initially secretly) held that therapeutic practice is political. This module has provided a stimulus to think more about this and hopefully to put it more into practice.
Chereen Moreau
March 3, 2023Kia ora koutou, (Hello everyone),
Writing to you from Tamaki Mākauri, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand). I appreciate all the projects that have come about because of narrative therapy.
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
The project that stands out to me is Tree of Life.
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
The Tree of Life is great approach to working with children. Here in Aotearoa, we can incorpoate elements such whakapapa (geneology), tupuna (ancestors) and places of significant value like maunga (mountains), awa (rivers), etc. This helps our children experience connection to their culture and helps them hold fast with roots that can sustain them through the storms of life.
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I already use Tree of Life in my work with children. This methodology supports me in using a creative and playful approach to counselling.
jennyheraghty
February 18, 2023It s Jenny writing from Far North Queensland.
I found all the projects mentioned enthralling, but resonated most with the story sharing between the indigenous people in Port Augusta and Arnhem Land, how witnessing each others stories, knowledges and strengths opened up new possibilities of healing and the making of new positive storylines.
In my community there is an ongoing theme of “juvenile petty crime” which involves the indigenous youth and non-indigenous youth both. Learning of the above project has got me thinking about how it may be possible to generate story telling, culture and knowledge sharing between the indigenous and non-indigenous populations around how to create meaning, care and guidance for the youngsters of our town.
Thank you for all contributors of this narrative approach, and to the Dulwich Centre to bringing it to my attention.
Regards
Jenny
Mareeba, Queensland.
David
January 11, 2023Greetings from the foothills of the great Canadian Rockies,
I appreciate the diversity displayed in this showcase of narrative therapy applications. The idea that the meanings of particular place are significant becomes increasingly at odds with the influences of dominant culture, and an information age which collapses all distance; and yet the peculiar distinctions between one place and another – and the language, stories and meanings in which these distinctions are held, bear important threads of healing and regeneration. Healing can only take place within the sticky, entangled nuances of real place, time and memory.
It is a testament to the integrity of narrative therapy that it finds such diverse application across so many different contexts. For me, the way David Denborough brought many particular stories to sing and lyric holds a special inspiration. Song has been a vital mode of meaning, healing and connection from time immemorial, and to claim it’s power for the healing of others as humbly as he does is a beautiful work.
Gill Kenny
January 5, 2023Greetings from a very hot Perth in Western Australia. Grateful to have a fan running in my study! I’ve enjoyed hearing and reading about the beautiful and inspiring work that is happening in the world to address human suffering. Well done to everyone involved in bringing so much hope to people. I particularly love the work being done in Malawi and the analogy of the bundle of sticks. So powerful! The way in which First Nations people deal with grief feels so much more real to me, and I will be incorporating Aunt Babs’ insights into my own work. There is no right or wrong to grieve. I have so much to learn from the older cultures in this world, and thanks to stories, I can! The concept of externalising grief and talking to it is one I will use for sure. Thank you for a rich and informative chapter.
Bec Acuto
December 22, 2022Hi everyone, I am writing from Melbourne, Australia, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
Whilst all the projects intrigue me and i have used the Tree of Life in practice and through uni, i really like the life-saving tips project
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
I felt that is was a really beautiful way to share stories and offer guidance with peers. People often feel alone and this could support in awareness and shift in attitude. It supports in that connectiveness, not feeling alone and being able to link to others who are experiencing the same as you
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I would like to look at the role play idea around having someone play a ‘condition/illness’ and someone to play the affected persons ‘care team’ and then invite the family to ask questions. I really think this could work for the whole family and potentially their support network
shannahroston
December 15, 2022The tree of life to allow clients to become introduced to the idea and understanding of their stories and what in thier lives have shaped them. I use is as living document and an activity that i revisit throughout the course of treatment, inviting the addtion of information as the individual continues to grow in understanding of thier unique identity and stories.
Jasmine
December 12, 2022I am attending from Butchulla Country (Hervey Bay, QLD) and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many wonderful examples of collaborating to make social change and contribution.
I especially liked the Paulo Friere interview on oppression and ethical responsibilities…..and his words stating that we must “collectively and consciously, struggle”, in relation to his example of homelessness. This has had me reflecting on how the suffering of one individual, one group, or one community is the suffering of all when we are a collective of human beings sharing this earth.
I also love the thought of people expressing themselves and their stories through song and music, and also via the tree of life representations in the art projects shown.
kanoyes
December 7, 2022Prior Lake, Minnesota
Two segments from the Paulo Freire stood out to me. They are as follows : “Neo-liberals say unemployment, poverty, and inequity are necessary. I believe it is our responsibility to struggle against these fatalistic and mechanical ways of understanding history.”
and “It is up to us to make history and to be made and remade by it. It is only by making history in a different way that we will put an end to hunger.”
If I imagined myself in the position of the oppressed, using the narratives of the oppressors, I would say something like, “I deserve this fate. It’s no use trying. That’s the way things are and have always been. God or the powers have forsaken me. An alternative is too scary to think about.” And seeing those lines, I think how disempowering they are, how they shift and evade responsibility and they can get one to think in repetitive and unproductive cycles. Doom loops. By swallowing the oppressor’s narrative I swallow an anchor.
If I shift the lines of thought I can find lines like: Where did I get the idea that I deserve this fate? What is fate itself? The use of trying is that it, itself can give me something to try for. The motivation being that I have skin in the game, my efforts can sway the situation, even if it is only within my own interior sphere of identity. If I don’t think of an alternative or if I am unable to explain what an alternative would look, the evidence is on the face the problem itself. My boundaries are too narrow then the question arrises: how do I create alternatives? Then one is lead to the liberation qualities of education. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is great example of education leading to alternatives and liberation. Education especially collective education, where we educate each other and fill in the details of our close stories, seems particularly potent in developing healing narratives.
jtaylor089
December 5, 2022James, Victoria Australia.
Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time? What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
Innovation Projects like Men’s Shed for young Aboriginal men and how to support their mental health and challenge them in relation to what type of people they desire to be, with the re-framing of narratives and finding ways for them to express themselves and their thoughts in ways that aren’t necessarily ‘therapy’ by sitting down and talking all the time. But by being engaged in something where conversation and story telling is interwoven. I like the idea of music and art as a tool for this, for me I find sport, adventure and physical challenges as a way for my personality to come across to these young men and relate to them in their world instead of them coming into a ‘clinical’ world of ours.
This has sparked my interest because I have a desire to work in rural and remote regions in Australia to provide support for the mental health of those communities and being a 30y/o male I like to believe that I can have a positive impact on other young men, challenging stigma of mental health and working towards positive outcomes.
bucknornigel
November 30, 2022This entire section for me really solidified the mentally that counselling is not black and white but in fact grey in terms of the different tools that can be used to support clients (in context of using songs). I know for myself, I have encouraged clients to discover different avenues to communicate felt emotions or thought patterns when sitting in a face to face session and simply talking is slightly uncomfortable. If anything in the section stood out to me, it was the article – Making History and Unveiling Oppression. I think as society we blame individuals for where they are in life or decisions they have made and don’t take the time to ask why they were put in the position to make those decisions in the first place. This article I think speaks to the approach all therapist or those working in mental health spaces should take in asking why instead of what.
lisa.jordan2020
November 11, 2022I was taken by the Mt Elgon video, in particular the response of the children to the adults singing and celebrating. It was a reminder that we pass our stories on and to be careful what we perpetuate, especially when the stories are told by the dominant and not by the people themselves. We are our own role models, not those presented via governments or the media.
nafisa.moallim
October 30, 2022Hi everyone,
The project that stood out to me was Mr/Ms AIDS & Mr/Ms Care. It was helpful to learn about the variety of questions that were answered within this group setting and how the facilitators maneuvered the stigma attached with AIDS. The group dynamics and awareness of different gender roles was also informative for my practice. I truly appreciated the saying “pang’ono pang’ono ndi mtolo: little by little we make a bundle” because of the reminder that our work requires collaboration and tiny steps to create sustainable change.
I will begin experimenting with these methodologies in group therapy sessions, primarily with topics that are very difficult and carry a lot of stigma. I aim to be cognizant of the different cultural impacts on specific topics and create opportunities to move through shame and develop safety within these groups.
elehane
October 12, 2022I found Paulo Freire’s interview Making History and Unveiling Oppression really powerful. Something of an uplifting rallying cry for greater activism and collective action. I am in England, and think such Narrative Development work/projects are transferable with much to teach us in ‘developed’ countries. While circumstances here are indeed much more favourable, I feel an ever-increasing tide of oppressive, self-serving leadership sweeping through – squashing political consciousness, while nurturing ignorance and divisive rhetoric and policy. We have much to learn and re-learn here…The Sem-Terra is an inspiring, humbling movement of challenge to systems that pay no heed to eradicating poverty and inequity. And a wonderful testimony to the power of humanity and collective care in the face of such systems.
Yashodhara Chowdhury
September 14, 2022Writing from Kolkata, India
I have not yet finished through the vast suite of innovation projects provided, but I thought I would drop in my few comments having covered the basics of the chapter. What I am really feeling is struck by the marvelous creativity and range of the use of collective narrative practices in this project. There really seems to be no limit to what a community may come up with! So not a project, but a line that will stay with me is that “it allows us to move from communities being acted upon by both problems and social workers, to communities and community workers teaming up to fight the problem. The constant references to tradition knowledges and cultural roots was also intriguing.
I want to really begin experimenting with these in working with young girls of my community, especially letting them come up with metaphors of the fight they face and then their own innovations to deal with it. Thanks a lot!
Khadigi Mariam
September 7, 2022I am from Sydney, Australia
I am very much wanting to work in the field of Narrative Practice and the use of outsider-witness has appealed to me as a great tool to use in all types of issues that counsellors deal with. I also think that it is a great way to get communication going to the right sources in the truthful and honest way, I mean when you pretend to be ok but you are only saying that because you don’t want to be put on the spot. This is a great way to have a transparent view from all involved of what the picture looks like for that person and then talking about how each person sees the issue as being, and come up with strategies to deal with them.
anapaty
September 6, 2022Hello, writing from Monterrey, México.
I would love to include these type of projects in my daily practice. I enjoy including creativity in my daily practice and I think some of these projects can be made on a 1-1 session.
In México we suffer from many people disappearing or femicides. I believe a project can be developed for families and friends of victims.
lisamoore.aus
September 5, 2022The idea of a project doesn’t stand out as much as the intention of narrative development. Reading all of these stories across different and diverse cultures and contexts, the power of our collective stories creates a light that can only grow.
Casuarina, NSW
ce1681ange
September 3, 2022The Tree of Life is the project that stands out to me the most. It can be helpful in various situations and applied to children and adults alike. I think it is incredible for use in family and couples therapy. It also can be used with people recovering from domestic abuse. I like it because Tree of Life can be a creative project using words (narration) and other materials (art). Sometimes people are so distressed that it is hard for them to find words. When creating their Tree of life and using images, they eventually acquire words to tell their story.
I am interested in personality issues, the traits that affect many people’s lives and view narrative therapy as a non-invasive method to re-story a person’s life and restore their true Self or at least get closer to it.
emmatonkin
August 23, 2022Emma from Perth
The Tree of Life Project really resonated with me. Working in Community Mental Health there is often a deep lack of awareness around one’s own strengths, desires and supports. And often participants in these programs can be very worn out by ‘talk therapy’. I see them gravitate to working in the garden with their hands and the sense of peace this brings. This project would allow them to tap into that same sense of creativity and inspiration in order to shed some light and purpose on the darker parts of their journey.
Annie
August 11, 2022The project that stood out to me most was the Mt Elgon community project as it harnesses the priorities and strengths of the community to bring about change and empowerment. The 7 steps could be applied to many situations. I also liked the use of music and song which can be so uplifting and healing.
rob
August 5, 2022Is there an idea or project that stands out to you most at this time?
The Mt Elgon Self-Help Community Project, ‘Raising our heads above the clouds’ stood out to me. The community was struggling until this intervention, where participants used Narrative Practices to motivate social action and economic development. They were able unpack their own history to identify existing resources, knowledges, and skills in ways that prioritized a preferred story they could ‘live into’, which inspired hope and produced transformation.
What about this idea or project has sparked your enthusiasm or curiosity?
The project sparked my curiosity because I recognised parallels with my work helping communities reimagine their future. The steps of sharing stories of pride and survival, outsider witness responses, hopes and dreams, tracing hopes and dreams back into personal and collective roots, developing, then documenting and circulating a call to action, and finally generating excitement about the future, were similar to some of the work I have been doing, and beautifully illustrated in this inspiring video.
In what ways might you begin to experiment with these ideas or methodologies?
I think playing this quite touching video could add depth in orientating a group towards discussing the power of drawing on their history and hidden resources as components in reimaging their future.
Rob in Victoria
Rhonda
August 2, 2022I really love the idea of the tree of life. It provides a very visual way for people to see the strengths they possess, and understand which way they have yet to grow still focusing on the present. Also, because it is an arts-based project, it can feel less daunting to people, who often can be overwhelmed with talk therapy.
Ko Man Lut
July 28, 2022I am interested to see how I can use narrative practice to motivate social actions and economic development. I find seven steps that include:
1. sharing stories of pride and survival
2. outsider – witness response
3. hopes and dreams sharing
4. the histories of people’s hopes and dreams
5. call to action
6. documenting the call to action
7. circulating the documentation and generating excitement
are very useful steps to motivate social changes. I like other successful sharing as well. (Ko Man Lut, Hong Kong)