About narrative therapy
Narrative Therapy is a collaborative approach that helps people separate themselves from problems and reconsider the stories that shape their lives. Below you can browse therapists who list Narrative Therapy among their approaches to learn more and find a good fit.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether narrative therapy is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page names Narrative Therapy among the approaches they told the platform they use. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for narrative therapy
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMargaret Johnston, LMHC
Ref 62092
Calm listening that helps you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingPamela Benoit, NCPS, BACP
Ref 180577
Compassionate practical psychotherapy
Works with: Relationship, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingIvy Medow, LPC
Ref 300506
Practical counseling for life transitions
Works with: Family, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingAnnette OBryant, LPC
Ref 77726
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDanielle Horn, LMSW
Ref 272733
Focused therapy that digs to the root
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDestiny York, LPC
Ref 340789
Compassionate, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingRev. Catherine Bogue, LCSW
Ref 168255
Compassionate guidance for life’s hard changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAngela Jakovac, AHPRA
Ref 241706
Practical, experienced counsellor for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English, Croatian
View listingRogenna Robinson, LPC
Ref 105891
Calm, practical support for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingColette Mattos, BACP
Ref 138095
Relationship and self-esteem focused counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPatrick Gribel, LMHC
Ref 348422
Therapist focused on depth and steady change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingLisa Spears, LPC
Ref 101050
Hopeful, practical counseling for life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDanielle Turner, LCPC
Ref 43399
Practical, compassionate therapy for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingLesley Schmaltz, LCSW
Ref 95757
Calm, collaborative therapy with an experienced LCSW
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPeter Bramhill, BACP
Ref 236747
Practical, compassionate counselling for life’s challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingBrandi Garner, LPC
Ref 209377
Practical, sex-positive counseling for adults
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingKaren Morris, LCSW
Ref 79579
Experienced LCSW guiding practical emotional change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAngela Lindl, BACP
Ref 155213
Calm practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMelanie Duffin, BACP
Ref 241752
Practical, compassionate help for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingLaDreamer Harrison, LCSW
Ref 267200
Supportive LCSW helping people find practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingPuja Attul, NCPS
Ref 173304
Compassionate therapist offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Betsy Puentes, LMFT, LPC
Ref 212361
Calm guidance for lifes tough moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingKimberley Roberts, LCSW, CSW
Ref 103862
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJai Pitre, LCSW, CSW
Ref 144830
Practical therapy grounded in client strengths
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingElizabeth Wilson, LCMHC
Ref 126846
Everyday support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family Languages: English
View listingRenee Capanna, LCSW, LISW
Ref 198813
Person-focused therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCara Smith, LCSW, CSW
Ref 126884
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingGarrick Lawton, LPC
Ref 180839
Helping people build clearer coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJanice Withrow, LPC
Ref 23375
Practical therapy for relationship and mood challenges
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRobyn Freeman, ACA
Ref 302078
Compassionate counsellor for stress and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingToni Hernalsteen, LMSW
Ref 177604
Practical, values-focused therapy for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingGeorge Brassea, LCPC
Ref 47897
Attachment-focused therapist with practical guidance
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Grief Languages: English
View listingCarolyn Faucette, LISW
Ref 143321
Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingCarmel Murray, AASW
Ref 219848
Supportive social worker helping you navigate change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingRichard Broach, LPC
Ref 133948
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English, Spanish
View listingMore about narrative therapy
What Narrative Therapy Is and the Principles Behind It
Narrative Therapy centers on the idea that the stories we tell about ourselves shape how we experience the world. You come to therapy with narratives formed by culture, family, relationships and personal history, and those narratives influence how you think, feel and act. In Narrative Therapy, the focus is on identifying those stories, exploring how they were created, and opening space for new, more helpful narratives to emerge. The approach treats problems as separate from the person - meaning the issue is something you experience, not a fixed trait that defines you.
Key principles include collaboration between you and the practitioner, curiosity about how stories formed, and attention to the social and cultural contexts that give these stories meaning. Rather than locating blame within an individual, Narrative Therapy examines influences like social expectations, power dynamics and historical patterns. The goal is to help you reclaim agency over your life story and identify values, skills and resources that may have been overshadowed by limiting narratives.
What Issues Narrative Therapy Is Commonly Used For
Narrative Therapy is often chosen for concerns that involve identity, relationships and the meanings you attach to difficult experiences. People explore this approach when they want to change unhelpful self-definitions, work through the impact of loss or trauma without being reduced to it, adjust to life transitions, or address persistent patterns in relationships. It is also used when cultural, social or familial expectations feel constraining and you want to examine how those external stories influence your internal sense of self.
You may find Narrative Therapy helpful if you are dealing with anxiety that is tied to a particular self-story, ongoing relationship conflicts that repeat in predictable ways, or life changes that make you question who you are. The approach can be applied in individual work, couples therapy and family conversations, because it emphasizes dialogue, reflection and the creation of new meanings that fit your values and goals.
What a Typical Narrative Therapy Session Looks Like
Sessions tend to be conversational and exploratory. You and the therapist work together to map the story you are living by - where it came from, who supported its development, and how it shows up in your choices and relationships. The therapist listens for exceptions to the problem story - moments when you acted in ways that contradict the limiting narrative - and helps you notice resources and strengths that were present but perhaps overlooked.
Expect questions that invite reflection rather than directives. A practitioner might ask you to describe the problem as if it were an external entity, to highlight times when the problem had less influence, or to consider the origins of a belief. You may be invited to create a written or spoken account of an alternative story, to document evidence of change, or to involve supportive people in conversations that reinforce new meanings. Sessions often emphasize curiosity, respect for your expertise about your life, and collaborative sense-making rather than a therapist-led diagnosis or fixed agenda.
How Narrative Therapy Differs from Other Approaches
Narrative Therapy differs from some common modalities in its emphasis on story, language and context rather than on symptom reduction alone. Where cognitive-behavioral approaches focus on identifying and changing specific thoughts and behaviors, Narrative Therapy puts attention on the broader narratives that organize those thoughts. The work is less about correcting cognitive distortions and more about re-authoring the story you live within.
Compared with insight-oriented therapies that explore inner drives or developmental roots, Narrative Therapy foregrounds social and cultural influences and collaborative meaning-making. It does not aim to locate pathology inside you; instead it positions problems as external, shaped by relationships, institutions and societal norms. This framing can lessen blame and open practical paths for change, such as altering the stories that sustain a pattern or creating new practices that reflect the values you want to embody.
What to expect in tone and pace
The tone is typically reflective and respectful, with a focus on co-constructing knowledge about your life. Progress may look like small shifts in how you talk about yourself, decisions that better match your values, or changes in relationships as different narratives take hold. The pace can vary - some people find rapid reframing helpful, while others prefer a slower, deeper exploration of how stories developed over time.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy can be a good match for people who want to understand and change the stories that shape their identity and relationships. If you are motivated to reflect on how cultural, familial or social messages have influenced your self-view, this approach offers tools to separate you from limiting labels and to construct alternative narratives that align with your goals. It is often suitable for individuals who value collaboration, self-reflection and a non-pathologizing view of difficulty.
People who have experienced stigma, complex relationship dynamics, or identity conflicts often find the externalizing stance - viewing the problem as something that affects you rather than defines you - to be freeing. That said, Narrative Therapy can be integrated with other approaches when addressing immediate symptom relief or specific behavioral goals. You may choose this approach if you want therapy that centers your voice and recognizes the broader social forces shaping your experience.
How to Find a Therapist Who Uses Narrative Therapy
When you search for someone who practices Narrative Therapy, look for therapists who list Narrative Therapy among their approaches and who describe a collaborative, narrative-focused style in their profiles. Read about their emphasis on stories, values and social context to see whether their description resonates with what you want from therapy. Pay attention to details about the populations they work with, languages spoken, and any notes about work with families, couples or particular life stages.
In an initial conversation you can ask how the therapist describes the narrative approach in practice - for example, how they externalize problems, involve others if needed, and support the development of new stories. Discussing their typical session structure and how they collaborate with clients will help you assess fit. You may also want to consider practical factors such as session format, session length, and whether their approach aligns with your values and goals. The aim is to find someone whose style and description of Narrative Therapy resonate with you, so you feel heard and understood when you begin the work of re-authoring your life story.
Finding the right match can make a meaningful difference in how you engage with the process. Take time to read profiles and descriptions, and choose a practitioner whose language reflects curiosity about your story and respect for your expertise. That conversational stance is central to Narrative Therapy and can help you move toward clearer, more enlivening narratives about who you are and what you want from your life.