This book draws from the author's professional experience using narratives with a broad range of individuals in diverse settings in order to explore the theoretical basis for this approach. The early chapters each relate the narrative that is the focus of the chapter and explain how the narrative was developed. Each example is then followed with case studies of how it has been used in group activities with mentally ill adults, in counseling graduate students, and/or in working with staff. The concluding chapters explore the underlying theory of narrative therapy and provide suggestions on how readers might develop their own narratives for use in clinical practice (or as guides for their own development).The book is particularly innovative in the use of this strategy with adults with severe mental illness. Unlike other books on the use of narrative therapy, this book focuses on the use of pre-scripted narratives that can be used with individuals to examine their personal situations, as well as techniques to guide individuals in the development of their own narratives. The book also addresses sand play and other experiential therapeutic interventions.
