Narrative Therapy is a collaborative, evidence-based psychological approach that helps people separate themselves from their problems by exploring and rewriting the stories they tell about their lives. Developed in Australia and New Zealand, it is used for depression, trauma, grief, anxiety, and identity-related difficulties.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne offer Narrative Therapy across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Narrative Therapy was developed by Australian social worker Michael White and New Zealand therapist David Epston in the 1980s and formalised in their seminal text Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends (White & Epston, 1990). The approach is built on a simple but powerful idea: the stories we tell about ourselves shape how we see ourselves, what we believe is possible, and how we act in the world.
Narrative Therapy operates from the principle that the person is not the problem — the problem is the problem. Through a process called externalisation, the problem is separated from the person’s identity, creating space to examine how it has been influencing their life and to identify moments when things were different. These “unique outcomes” become the foundation for building a richer, more preferred story.
Narrative Therapy is non-pathologising and deeply respectful of each person’s knowledge about their own life. The psychologist takes a “not-knowing” stance — the client is positioned as the expert on their own experience.
Narrative Therapy is particularly effective for:
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found Narrative Therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to control conditions, with effects comparable to other established psychological therapies (Hu et al., 2024).
Narrative Therapy uses several key practices:
Our psychologists use Narrative Therapy as a standalone approach or integrated with other evidence-based therapies such as ACT, CBT, and trauma-focused treatments.
Your psychologist will help you name and separate the problem from your identity, then map its effects across different areas of your life — relationships, work, self-view, and daily functioning.
Together you will identify times the problem did not have the upper hand — small or large moments of resistance that become the foundation for a richer alternative story.
As the alternative story develops, sessions focus on thickening and strengthening it: linking it across time, connecting it to your values and what matters most to you.
Narrative Therapy integrates naturally with ACT (values-based living), trauma-focused therapies, and grief work. Your psychologist will tailor the approach to your specific presentation and goals.
Your first appointment explores your current difficulties, your history, and what kind of change you’re looking for. There are no questionnaires scoring you against diagnostic categories — Narrative Therapy is interested in your unique story.
Sessions are typically weekly or fortnightly. The approach is well-suited to shorter-term work (8–16 sessions) as well as longer-term therapy for complex presentations.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Yes. Narrative Therapy has a growing body of evidence supporting its effectiveness for depression, trauma, grief, and identity-related difficulties. A 2024 meta-analysis found significant effects for depressive symptoms, and the approach is used internationally by registered psychologists and endorsed by major psychological bodies.
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories that shape identity — examining how dominant narratives (often absorbed from family or culture) have limited your view of yourself, and building a richer, more preferred story. The two approaches can be integrated effectively.
Yes. Narrative Therapy delivered by a registered psychologist is covered by Medicare rebates via a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
The problem is not who you are. A different story is possible.
Hu, G., Han, B., Gains, H., & Jia, Y. (2024). Effectiveness of narrative therapy for depressive symptoms in adults with somatic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 24(4), 100520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100520
Vromans, L. P., & Schweitzer, R. D. (2011). Narrative therapy for adults with major depressive disorder: Improved symptom and interpersonal outcomes. Psychotherapy Research, 21(1), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503301003591792
