What is the primary goal of narrative therapy?

The primary goal of narrative therapy is to help clients re-author their life stories. This therapeutic approach fundamentally is based on the concept that the stories individuals tell about their lives shape their identities and experiences. By guiding clients to examine and reconstruct these narratives, narrative therapy allows them to identify and challenge unhelpful or harmful beliefs that may have been formed due to the negative stories they have internalized.

Through this process, clients explore alternative narratives that empower them to see themselves in a more positive light, ultimately promoting healing and personal growth. This focus on storytelling also encourages clients to recognize their strengths and resources, fostering a sense of agency and control over their lives.

The options that focus on diagnosing mental health disorders or emphasizing therapist feedback do not align with the core principles of narrative therapy, which centers on client agency and narrative construction rather than on diagnostic labels or direct therapist intervention. While improving family communication can be a component of therapy, it is not the central goal of narrative therapy specifically. The heart of narrative therapy lies in the re-authoring of life stories, allowing clients to reshape their identities and experiences in a more empowering way.