Foundations and Fundamentals of Narrative Therapy Practice

Stephen Madigan, PhD

Day 1

Friday, June 11

8:15 AM – 2:15 PM (Break 11-noon)

Stephen introduces participants to the four therapeutic practices at the heart of narrative therapy interviewing. Discussed through numerous clinical video examples demonstrating: 1) Relational Externalizing, 2) Relative Influence Questions 3) Unique Outcome Moments, 4) Double Listening. Stephen interacts with participant questions through 'slow showing' a variety of his video taped sessions with individuals, families, and couples while carefully pointing out the purpose, politic, intention, direction and ideology supporting these narrative therapy interview practices.

Foundations and Fundamentals of Narrative Therapy Practice

Stephen Madigan, PhD

Day 2

Saturday, June 12

8:15 AM – 11 AM 

Equipped with a working knowledge and understanding of four therapeutic practices at the heart of narrative therapy interviewing (from the day before), participants move forward towards new understandings and skills related to the next set of five important narrative practice understandings: 5) Landscape of Action and Identity Questions; 6) Re-membering conversations, 7) Re-authoring conversations, 8) The Absent but Implicit, and, 9) The counter-file method of taking in-session notes. 

A Philosophical Framework for Thinking About Narrative Therapy Practice
Todd May, PhD

Day 2

Saturday, June 12

12 PM –2:15 PM

Without an intimate understanding of philosopher Michel Foucault's post-structural ideas it would be difficult for a therapist to understand the practice of narrative therapy.  Philosopher Todd May guides participants in the theory behind what Stephen previously demonstrated in the training, and shows how narrative therapy relies heavily on Foucault's theoretical work to articulate and formulate vital aspects of a non-individualist approach to narrative therapy. The discussion unravels the conceptual complexities of non-individualism, essentialism, expert knowledge, the concept of power, norms and normativity - allowing participants to link together these theoretical ideas to our daily narrative therapy practices.

Therapeutic Letter Writing with Children, Families and Couples + Live Counter-Story Demonstration Interview, David Rock Nylund PhD and Stephen Madigan PhD

Day 3

Sunday, June 13

8:15 AM – 2:15 PM (Break 11-noon)

Therapeutic Letter Writing is central to narrative therapy practice. In fact, Michael White did a survey of his client families where they reported one therapeutic letter was worth (on average) 3.4 therapy sessions! Rock and Stephen highlight the art, structure, creativity, note taking, and listening practices involved within several different forms of therapeutic letter writing practices. They follow up the discussion with a superbly textured Live counter-story interview demonstration with a volunteer. Participants are then invited into a Live practice experience of crafting narrative therapy questions and writing therapeutic letters in response to the interview they have just witnessed.

Narrative Therapy with Death, Grief and Loss, Helene Grau, MA

Day 4

Saturday June 19, 8:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Participants are introduced to Helene’s ground breaking narrative therapy work with parents who have experienced the death of a child. The workshop teaches participants numerous practical aspects and new relational understandings of her work that many in the field of narrative therapy refer to as “ beautiful” and “relationally elegant”.  Helene guides participants through transcripts of re-membering conversations with grieving couples that affords a narrative practice to re-connect and enliven the dead child, as well as a means to contest, challenge and change what parents, the child, and the community experience about loss and death.

Queer Informed Narrative Therapy

David Rock Nylund, PhD + Guest

Day 4

Saturday, June 19

12:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Rock presents an introduction to his award winning innovative work on a Queer Theory informed Narrative Therapy Practice. Through slides show, session video and interactive discussion he highlights the contemporary issues of representation, homonormativity, transgender youth, trauma, violence, masculinities, gender binaries and, more. 

Wonderfulness Interviewing with Children and Families

David Marsten, MSW

Day 5

Sunday, June 20

8:15 AM – 11:00 AM

David will discuss and demonstrate direct narrative therapy practice with children in the context of family therapy. Key narrative practices will be addressed alongside David's newest ideas regarding narrative structure and dramatization.  Direct practice videos with children and families are used to demonstrate the beauty, skill and complexity of this work.

Gender-Violence and Trauma

Rosa Arteaga, MA

Day 5

Sunday, June 20

12:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Through Rosa's work as the clinical supervisor within a multi-disciplinary team with a nonprofit anti-violence women’s organization, participants receive a close up intimate experience of her narrative therapy informed social justice/feminist inspired therapeutic practice. Participants learn how to support girls and women of all ages and diverse backgrounds who are experiencing complex trauma and violence. Rosa does her teaching by taking the learner inside the complexities of gender violence through storytelling, session videos and her unaltered transcripts.

1/2 Day Followup

Stephen Madigan PhD, David Rock Nylund PhD

Bonus

Saturday, July 15

8:15 AM - 11 AM

Rock & Stephen engage participants in an interactive learning review of therapeutic ideas and practices learned over the five-day Foundations training. This is a time for participants to discuss what they learned and the specific ideas and practices that stood out - and to raise any questions regarding the foundations of narrative therapy practices.