The Evolution of Narrative Therapy
Nearly forty years ago, Michael White and David Epston founded Narrative Therapy, establishing its philosophical foundations, key concepts, ethical considerations, and distinctive practices. Their profound individual and collaborative contributions continue to shape how we position ourselves as narrative practitioners, separate problems from people, and guide our narrative inquiry. Michael and David, animated by a spirit of wonder, adventure, and innovation, expressed the hope that we would keep experimenting with new forms of inquiry, develop fresh practices, and adapt these cherished ways of working to fit our local experiences and socio-political contexts.
After Michael’s sudden passing in 2008, many of us wondered what the future held for narrative therapy. David has since continued to bring an innovative, playful spirit to the field, developing new approaches to narrative inquiry in collaboration with colleagues over the past fifteen years. In response to evolving professional, social, and cultural contexts, narrative practices have grown and adapted, giving rise to what is now known as Contemporary Narrative Therapy. We are now witnessing the emergence of a new generation of narrative therapists, carrying forward this legacy with creativity and commitment.
What I Learned from My Mentor
Alongside the foundations laid by our intellectual ancestors, the evolution of narrative therapy is also shaped by mentors who are preparing the next generation(s) of practitioners. These mentors support local practitioners in their early careers, bring narrative practice into higher education settings, and teach workshops across Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
What I Learned From My Mentor is a community project connected to the Across Generations Hot Topic. We began by editing five short videos from Narrative Camp 2019, capturing valuable lessons from beloved mentors. These accounts formed the start of our What I Learned From My Mentor YouTube playlist (see below). Each short video honors our mentors by sharing stories about the specific learnings that shape our work and lives. In particular, we seek to recognize unsung heroes and heroines from across narrative generations, with special attention to mentors and mentees of color, whose voices have too often been made invisible by history and institutions.
The Spirit of Narrative Camp
For many years, our Vermont Narrative Camps brought together narrative therapy practitioners and teachers from around the world and across generations. These gatherings offered opportunities to explore new ideas, discuss themes relevant to everyday practice, and revive the spirit of our work. Set along the shores of Lake Champlain, this communal experience became affectionately known as Narrative Camp. Many participants stayed in lakeside cottages for the entire week, creating a vibrant tapestry of consultation groups, individuals, couples, and families.
We worked to create enriching learning experiences where participants could deepen their narrative skills in collaboration with others, all while enjoying outdoor living, shared meals, and lively conversations. For more glimpses into these special times, please visit Remembering Vermont Narrative Camp.
In addition to making music and connections, Narrative Camp was also a hub for video creation. We recorded workshops for future online courses and captured conversations that were later edited into YouTube videos—over 50 in total! Above, you can find a featured video as well as 20 selections from the Vermont Narrative Camp Playlist. To explore the full collection, visit the Vermont Narrative Camp Playlist on our Reauthoring Teaching YouTube channel.
Plans are underway for our next Narrative Camp, to be held in California. Reflecting on the past, we recognize how these shared living and learning experiences by the lake have profoundly shaped the evolution of the Re-Authoring Teaching community. As we move forward, we continue to ask ourselves:
- How can we combine the spirit of side-by-side learning with outdoor rejuvenation to create unique and informal learning opportunities?
- In what ways can we support the emergence of fresh voices and new ideas?
- When gathering in person isn’t possible, how might we infuse our online offerings with the same spirit of adventure and possibility?
Across Narrative Generations: Co-sparking together
Thank you all for allowing us to be both students and teachers, bearing witness to each other’s lives in the ongoing new creative developments of narrative ideas and practices, now and into the future. Walter Bera
Join us in celebrating the emergence of new voices within the next generation of narrative practitioners. These fresh perspectives enrich our learning community in countless ways. Together, we are co-learning and imagining new horizons for the future of narrative therapy.