Welcome to the second issue of the International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work for 2013! This issue was a little delayed because we have been inundated with interest in the newly announced Master’s Program in Narrative Therapy and Community Work which is to begin next year. This new venture, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, will no doubt result in practice innovations and projects that will be shared within future issues of this journal. We hope that you will be a part of this initiative, whether as a direct participant or as part of the wider community of ideas that constantly reinvigorates narrative practice.
This journal issue begins with a publication that we have been working on for some time. ‘Bedwetting in times of trouble: Narrative therapy, enuresis and trauma’ is a resource for practitioners working with children in contexts of fear. It was initially inspired by experiences of meeting with children and families affected by war and natural disasters. Here in Australia, we have also heard of how children in immigration detention centres, in domestic violence shelters and elsewhere, struggle with bedwetting in contexts of fear. Interestingly, this publication brings narrative therapy full circle. As many of you know, responding to encopresis and enuresis was one of the early areas of work in which externalising conversations were developed. Hard copy versions of this resource will soon also be available for sale. We are delighted to make it accessible here online for members of the journal and we look forward to your feedback. We are also interested in creating a children’s book on this topic. If you would like to participate in this, please contact us.
This journal issue continues with a further paper from Jane Hutton about working with children with fears, while Part Two features two innovative projects. The first is in a school setting in the Northern Territory of Australia, the second relates to homeless shelters in Vancouver, Canada.
Part Three of this issue contains the reflections of narrative therapist, Barbara Baumgartner, on the same-sex marriage debate; and a review by Josie McSkimming of a recent interdisciplinary conference entitled: ‘Storytelling: Global reflections on narrative’.
It’s a diverse collection. We hope it contains both practice and theoretical wisdoms that are relevant in your contexts. We will look forward to hearing your thoughts.
