Dear reader,
What a diverse range of articles this issue provides. We are delighted to include here the first narrative therapy papers we have ever published from Greece and from Pakistan.
The issue begins, however, with a paper by Angela Tsun on-Kee from Hong Kong. ‘Overeating as a serious problem and foods as real good friends: Revising the relationship with food and self in narrative conversations’ is the first published narrative therapy approach to working with the issue of overeating.
It is followed by an interview with Elsa Almaas and Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, from Norway, which explores ways of reclaiming sexual lives after experiences of sexual trauma. This is an issue we have been wanting to publish on for some time. We will welcome readers’ responses.
Two further practice papers are then included: ‘The green bubble:Narrative, time away in the bush, and restoring personal agency after hard times’ by Andy Umbers, and ‘That’s the question: Using questions to help parents to get to know their children and allay anxiety and anger’ by Darylle Levenbach.
The second section of this issue focuses on narrative approaches to working with those trying to revise their relationship with drug and alcohol use. Daniil Danilopoulos, from Greece, provides the paper ‘Rooftop dreams: Steps during a rite of passage from a life dominated by the effects of drugs and abuse to a “safe and full of care” life’. And Muhammad Mussaffa Butt offers the first published example of narrative therapy from Pakistan in ‘Using narrative therapy to respond to addiction: An experience of practice in Pakistan’. Both these papers break new ground. They also demonstrate the ways in which practitioners in diverse contexts are originating narrative practice.
Finally, this issue includes stories from Hazara and Iraqi communities within Brisbane, Australia. These were gathered and shared as part of a collective narrative practice project facilitated by a team from the Romero Centre which works with those seeking refuge in Australia. The paper ‘Unforgettable Voices: Australia We Are Here!’ was edited by Jason MacLeod with Jeniece Olsen, Hassan Ghulam and Sabah Al Ansari.
With papers from Australia, Greece, Pakistan, Israel and Norway, we hope this issue of the International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work will provide useful ideas and inspiration for your practice.
Perhaps you may also be inspired to include stories of your practice in future editions. If so, we will look forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Cheryl White
