FAQs
When might Narrative Therapy supervision be helpful?
There is an obstacle and you feel stuck:
with tensions at work.
in collaborative relationships with clients or colleagues.
when the desired change fails.
when the professional journey does not go as you planned.
You experience yourself as a problem, or others perceive you as a problem, or you consider others, relationships, the team or the organisation as a problem.
Your professional identity comes under pressure or what matters to you in your work or relationships comes under pressure, leaving you feeling isolated or alienated.
What are the underlying Narrative principles in supervision to hold onto?
Separating the problem from the person.
Opening space for telling people’s experiences
Being curious and taking a ‘not-knowing’ approach in relation to people’s lives and problems
Transparency
Developing rich descriptions and rich story development
Linking lives
Consideration of whose stories are at the centre and who has the story-telling rights.
What is a decentred, but influential position in Narrative Therapy and how does this emerge in supervision?
Narrative Therapy supervision acknowledges the differences in the relationship between supervisor and supervisee, but tries to minimise the power differentials that can exist. Decentred position means the supervisor is not taking an ‘expert’ position, but is influential in the way a conversation is facilitated using a co-researched, collaborative approach. The supervisor respectfully seeks and creates a culture of negotiation and feedback.
Where might problems ‘nestle’ to explore, deconstruct and re-author?
With the people we work with - the problems they bring and the impact this has on their lives, identity and relationships.
The supervisee’s efforts, involvements, intentions and values.
With the supervisor or the relationship between supervisor and supervisee.
In broader social, cultural and professional contexts and discourses and dominant social instructions of how to be in the world.
What are Narrative Therapy MAPs and how are they used in supervision?
Maps were first developed by the co-founder of Narrative Therapy, Michael White. They are guides to conversations that can be ‘mashed’ up (Emma Highfield). For example, Statement of Position (SOP) Maps 1 & 2 support a rich understanding and ‘naming’ of problems, or initiatives, the impact this has on people’s lives and relationships and the opinion or ‘position’ the person takes to this which can reveal what matters to people - their values, hopes, dreams and commitments.
Re-authoring conversations can make visible the skills, knowledge and talents of the people at the centre of the conversation which encourages agency, and draw on their knowledge, skills, and talents to support them in challenging times.
MAPS can be used to focus on:
the obstacles, problems or dilemmas the supervisee is experiencing in relation to the client.
the obstacle, problems, dilemmas the client is experiencing in relation to the problem.
the relationship and relational dances and narratives between the supervisee and client.
What are some examples of Narrative Therapy Questions in relation to supervision?
Can I ask you a few questions, just to get to know you?
Is this way of working helpful for you?
What hopes or dreams do you have for these conversations?
Can you remember when this ‘hard time’ first appeared in your work?
How did it infiltrate/ occupy/dominate/ undermine you?
What kind of dance have you both tumbled into?
What is good food for this problem?
After trying all these things, what is still bothering you about this work or this person/family?
How do you think your client would like to be introduced to me?
What would she say that is important to her?
How would you name this problem, if it were the name of a chapter in a book, or a title of a film?
What does the problem make her do?
How does it get in the way of her relationships?
Can you tell me about a time when you found your way out of a similar dilemma?
How did you learn to do this? Who else knows this about you?
What do you want to hold onto from this conversation?