Narrative Therapy, Michael White and Adventures in Norway

A story…

For those who are new to Narrative therapy please see my short lecture on the basic tenants of the approach on my you-tube site: Dallas Bentley. Please like and subscribe.

While living in Norway in 2008 I sought out a therapist who may have some specialisation in Narrative therapy. I had been introduced to the narrative approach to therapy and group-work in my first master’s degree in Australia and wanted to continue my application of the approach. I was also in need of some ‘good therapy’ myself as I had just been offered a redundancy in response to the world financial crisis at the time.

It was a challenging experience mentally learning a new language and then applying this to my counselling and psychotherapy practice. I was also challenged by the reality of being a single father to two small boys in a foreign country with minimal supports both socially and psychologically. Surely, in my dilemma a narrative or family therapist could act as a ‘wise advisor’ in this most challenging of circumstances.

And as it so happens finding one in Norway was not as hard as one might expect…After making the necessary enquiries I found myself in front of a ‘psykolog’ in Kristiansand. We stared ‘talking’ and through my broken Norwegian and his broken English we understood that he had ‘no idea’ how to solve ‘any’ of my problems. We laughed at this and through ‘mutual humour’ we decided to focus on what we ‘knew’ about therapy.

After going through various types and orientations to therapy and different philosophies and frameworks, finally we hit on Narrative. “Michael White” the Norwegian Psychologist said, “I can tell you a story about him”, yes, I said, I’d be very interested to hear it! This was the ‘therapy’ I needed, I said to myself…

Michael White, was only just conducting a workshop here in Kristiansand last summer, he said. I was on my way to the workshop when a man suddenly appeared from around the corner and was asking for directions to the venue where the Narrative therapy workshop was being held. Well, you can follow me, the psychologist explained I’m going there myself right now.

As they walked they spoke in depth about all types of ‘frameworks to counselling’ and other areas of interest mainly what the psychologist could expect from such a ‘workshop’ experience. As they entered the main doorway of the venue the man seeking directions was warmly welcomed at the door with the attendant saying “Michael, welcome! We were all wondering where you had gotten to after you arrived at the airport”.

True ‘Narrative Story’.

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