# Narrative Identity ## Short definition Narrative identity refers to the understanding people develop about who they are through the stories they tell about themselves, the relationships they experience and the meanings they construct throughout their lives. --- ## Expanded definition Narrative Therapy proposes that identity is not a fixed internal characteristic, personality trait or diagnosis. Instead, identity is continuously shaped and reshaped through stories. These stories emerge through everyday experiences, family relationships, friendships, communities, culture and language. Some stories become dominant because they are repeatedly reinforced, while others remain overlooked despite revealing important aspects of the person's life. People often arrive in therapy with identities organised around problems. Examples include: - "I'm a failure." - "I'm broken." - "I'm difficult." - "I'm weak." - "I'm not good enough." Narrative Therapy does not attempt to replace these stories with positive affirmations. Instead, it helps people reconnect with experiences that demonstrate alternative understandings of themselves. As preferred stories become richer and more connected, people's understanding of who they are begins to change. Narrative identity is therefore understood as relational, contextual and continually evolving rather than fixed or predetermined. --- ## Supporting concepts This concept incorporates the following supporting concepts: - Identity claims - Identity performance - Belonging - Internalised others ### Identity claims Identity claims are statements people make about themselves. These claims often develop through repeated experiences and conversations with others. Problem-saturated identity claims include: - I'm useless. - I'm always anxious. - I'm a bad parent. Preferred identity claims may include: - I'm someone who keeps trying. - I'm a caring father. - I'm resilient. - I'm trustworthy. Narrative Therapy explores how these claims developed, whose voices support them and which lived experiences strengthen or challenge them. --- ### Identity performance Identity is expressed not only through stories but also through actions. Everyday behaviour continually reinforces particular identity stories. For example: - comforting a friend may express compassion - standing up to bullying may express courage - continuing despite setbacks may express perseverance Narrative therapists help people notice these actions and connect them to preferred identities. Questions include: - What did you do? - What does that action say about you? - What values were being expressed? - How does this fit with the person you want to be? Identity becomes something that is lived rather than merely described. --- ### Belonging Identity develops within relationships. People's preferred identities are strengthened when they are recognised and supported by others. Narrative Therapy therefore explores: - where people feel accepted - who recognises their strengths - which relationships support preferred stories - which communities help preferred identities grow Belonging allows preferred stories to become sustainable beyond therapy. --- ### Internalised others People carry the voices of significant others throughout their lives. Some voices encourage preferred identities. Others reinforce problem-saturated stories. Narrative Therapy becomes curious about questions such as: - Whose opinion matters most? - Which voices continue influencing your life? - Which voices support your preferred identity? - Which voices would you like to become less influential? This naturally connects with Re-membering conversations, where supportive relationships are intentionally strengthened. --- ## Why this concept matters Many therapeutic approaches focus on changing behaviour or reducing symptoms. Narrative Therapy focuses on expanding identity. When people begin understanding themselves through richer stories, changes in behaviour, emotion and relationships often follow naturally. Developing preferred identities can influence: - confidence - relationships - emotional wellbeing - decision-making - resilience - future aspirations - sense of belonging Narrative identity therefore becomes one of the central organising concepts of therapeutic change. --- ## Non-clinical example A university student repeatedly describes herself as "not clever enough." Through conversation she remembers mentoring younger students, completing challenging assignments and supporting friends through difficult times. These experiences gradually become connected into a richer identity story organised around determination, generosity and capability rather than inadequacy. --- ## Clinical example A fifteen-year-old referred for low mood describes himself as "a disappointment." During therapy he recalls continuing to care for younger siblings, maintaining friendships and regularly helping his grandmother despite feeling overwhelmed. These experiences become linked into an emerging preferred identity organised around responsibility, kindness and commitment. Over time this preferred identity becomes increasingly influential in how he understands himself and relates to others. --- ## Core insight Identity is not something people discover. Identity is something people continually construct through stories, relationships and lived experience. --- ## Questions before a session - Which identity conclusions currently dominate? - What preferred identity themes have already emerged? - Which relationships strengthen these identities? - Which voices continue influencing the person's self-understanding? - How might today's conversation expand identity? --- ## Questions during a session - What does this experience tell you about yourself? - What values were guiding your actions? - What kind of person were you being? - Who would recognise this version of you? - Which relationships support this understanding of yourself? - Which story would you prefer to become more influential? - What identity is beginning to emerge? --- ## Questions after a session - Which preferred identity became stronger? - Which values became more visible? - How did the person's understanding of themselves change? - Which relationships could further support this identity? - What themes should be explored in future sessions? --- ## Related epistemologies - [[Social constructionism]] - [[Poststructuralist epistemology]] - [[Systemic epistemology]] --- ## Related schools and models - [[Narrative]] --- ## Related concepts - [[Preferred story]] - [[Problem-saturated story]] - [[Re-authoring]] - [[Identity conclusions]] - [[Re-membering]] - [[Externalising]] --- ## Related methods - [[Re-authoring conversations]] - [[Re-membering conversation]] - [[Thickening the plot|Thickening preferred stories]] --- ## Related techniques - [[Landscape of Identity Questions]] - [[Unique Outcome Questions]] - [[Therapeutic letter]] --- ## Related pathways - [[Narrative pathway]] --- ## Key theorists / contributors - [[Michael White]] - [[David Epston]] --- ## Key texts / references - White, M. (2007). *Maps of Narrative Practice*. New York: W. W. Norton. - White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). *Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends*. New York: W. W. Norton. - Freedman, J., & Combs, G. (1996). *Narrative Therapy: The Social Construction of Preferred Realities*. New York: W. W. Norton. --- ## Notes Professional and institutional language plays a particular role in identity construction. Descriptions such as "non-compliant", "manipulative", "attention-seeking", "resistant" or "dysfunctional" can become part of a person's identity story when repeated across reports, meetings and services. A narrative approach asks how identity has been constructed, whose descriptions have become powerful, and what alternative identities may be possible. Narrative identity should be understood as an ongoing relational process rather than a fixed personal characteristic. Therapy seeks to broaden identity by connecting overlooked experiences into richer stories that reflect people's values, commitments and preferred ways of living. Identity is continually shaped through participation in relationships, communities and culture, making it both deeply personal and inherently relational.