Innovations
Innovations in Brief Narrative Therapy
Practice
Brief Narrative therapy brings a narrative therapy philosophy and practice into time-sensitive counseling arenas such as walk-in therapy clinics and other forms of single session and brief services. It creates a non-pathologizing, collaborative, and competency-oriented way of working with people in brief settings. The aim is to make the most of every single session
providing therapeutic conversations to people when they need it. It is based on the principle of “when all the time you have is now”, therefore promoting the facilitation of a meaningful, useful conversation immediately. This is a departure from more traditional practices of assessment and information gathering dominating the initial contacts people have with the helping system.
Narrative therapy is an excellent fit with these time-sensitive services as it offers a clear philosophy and practices for in creating an impactful, novel, and meaningful conversation in every session, whether it is one or several sessions. Brief therapeutic encounters can shift how people view problems and themselves, expanding and changing stories, making it possible for them to see ways forward in their lives. People are invited to see themselves as experts in their own lives, with many skills, competencies, abilities, beliefs, values, and commitments that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives. People consistently report experiencing ‘aha’ moments in brief therapy sessions that ripple forward in their lives, creating lasting change.
Service
Walk-in Therapy:
The walk-in therapy clinic is a unique way of offering therapeutic conversation opportunities to people that is truly client centred as it is there for them to use when they choose, with no more required than to walk in. There is no pre-screening, intake or phone call needed; just show up! When service delivery occurs at a walk-in clinic, there are no missed appointments or cancellations. Clinics maximize staff time, are easy to find and access, and professionals are immediately available to clients. People can walk in with no appointment required and are seen for a single session of competency-based therapy at their chosen moment of need. Clients are provided with reassurance that immediate help will be available if needed in the future as they can re-access the walk-in clinic if needed in the future.
The benefits a walk-in clinic offers can be found
here.
For details of this and other brief services innovations, see publications.
Theoretical
Karen Young has been published in many chapters in books and papers in journals. See Publications.