The Therapist as Collaborator: Redefining Expertise Through Narrative Therapy

Written by [Haythem Lafhaj]

In traditional therapeutic models, the therapist is often seen as the expert—the one with the answers, the diagnosis, the intervention plan. Narrative Therapy flips this script entirely. Here, the client is the expert, and the therapist becomes a curious, compassionate collaborator in the storytelling process.

Developed by Michael White and David Epston (1990), Narrative Therapy is grounded in the idea that people make meaning of their lives through stories. These stories are shaped by culture, language, and lived experience—and they can become restrictive when they’re dominated by problems, shame, or external judgment. The role of the therapist is not to impose change, but to co-create space where new, more empowering stories can emerge.

This shift in stance transforms the therapy room. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” we ask, “What story have you been told about yourself—and who benefits from that story?” It opens up a space for clients to challenge internalized narratives like “I’m a failure,” “We’ll never change,” or “This is just how it is in our family.”

Externalization is a signature technique in Narrative Therapy. It separates the person from the problem—“anxiety is bothering me” instead of “I am anxious.” This simple linguistic shift has powerful emotional consequences, giving clients distance, clarity, and agency.

Therapists trained in Narrative practice also use double listening—hearing not just the problem story, but the moments of resistance, strength, and possibility embedded within it. These are the entry points for rewriting the narrative. For example, a client who describes themselves as “always overwhelmed” may also be showing up for others, practicing resilience, and craving connection—all elements of a counter-story.

By centering client voice, culture, and meaning-making, Narrative Therapy honors the complexity of human identity. It reminds us that people are not broken—they are in the process of becoming.

References:
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. W. W. Norton & Company.
Anderson, H. (1997). Conversation, Language, and Possibilities: A Postmodern Approach to Therapy.
Gergen, K. J., & McNamee, S. (1992). Therapy as Social Construction. Sage Publications.