Narrative Therapy

Explores significant events/"stories" that occur over time in one's life. Acknowledges how these "stories" may have shaped a person's identity. Challenges 'problematic stories/narratives' one carries of self which inhibit growth and limit one's sense of internal peace. Focuses on not labeling or viewing oneself as "broken". Aims to allow one to get some distance from their preconceived narratives in order to re-assess their perspective and messaging surrounding it.

To me, being a narrative therapist means that I take a non-judgmental, expansive view of my clients' lives. The stories we tell ourselves or the stories that others tell us end up shaping our reality. When I work with my clients, I listen for harmful narratives or beliefs that are causing them pain. I believe that much of our pain has been put upon us by harmful narratives (from families, relationships, or society). I also believe in the potential of anyone to create the life they dream of.

I use Narrative Therapy to learn about the stories that a client tells about their life. Throughout the therapeutic process, we will "thicken the narrative" and discuss the ways that we may "re-story" our lives.

Coming from a professional history of writing, and trained in the White/Epston variety of narrative work, I offer most of my clients the opportunity to see their life's trials, tribulations, successes, and celebrations through a storied lens, one that can be edited and re-told by the client.

The foundation of Dr. Inez's psychotherapy worldview is narrative therapy. Some suppositions of the narrative worldview as defined by Michael White: Everyone has meaning-making skills. Everyone tells stories. The meanings we give these stories shape our lives. Life is multi-storied, not single-storied. Therapists listen for these storylines, and we support people to develop the preferred storylines richly.

I utilize skills from other modalities, but my approach is based in narrative therapy. This means that I want to hear your story, understand why the stories you have about yourself are important, and work with you to change those narratives if they are holding you back from your goals.

The stories we tell about ourselves, and the world that we live in, influence how we perceive these things. If we have problem saturated narratives, this can cause us to have mental health struggles or relational struggles. Together we look at reforming these narratives to create a more empowering, hopeful, healthy present and future.

Narrative therapy will help you separate yourself from your problems by viewing your life as a story. It encourages you to explore how your stories shape your identity and challenges. By re-authoring these stories, you can gain new perspectives, empower yourself, and create more positive narratives that support their growth and well-being. I will act as a collaborator, helping you discover alternative stories that reflect your strengths and values.

I am a big believer in the power of stories, especially those we tell ourselves. In my work with individuals who have a significant trauma history, this modality is especially powerful. Exploring the way that you view yourself in the world reveals a lot and changing this can have major impacts on a person's life.

I offer narrative therapy, a collaborative approach that helps individuals reframe and rewrite their personal stories to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and create positive change in their lives.

The story of who we are and what our life is and means has a significant impact on how we feel and experience the world. Unfortunately, so many of the stories told by the larger culture have negative impact on our mental health and well-being. I seek to unpack the stories to push back against oppressive dominant narratives that are unhealthy and unhelpful to create new stories that bring joy, freedom, and comfort and allow one to live fuller and truer life.

Narrative Therapy Year-Long Intensive, 2018 -Evanston Family Therapy Center: Evanston, IL 5 Day Foundations Level Narrative Therapy Intensive Certificate Program, 2017 -Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy - Vancouver, BC

The stories we tell ourselves shape how we see the world—and sometimes, those stories make us feel stuck, unworthy, or powerless. Narrative Therapy helps you step back, challenge unhelpful narratives, and redefine your story in a way that reflects your strength, resilience, and values. I help people untangle from harmful self-beliefs and take back control of their own narrative—because you are so much more than the hardest chapters of your life.

I believe that you are the expert when it comes to your lived experience. I see my role as a co-author, helping you develop an alternate—yet perhaps truer—personal history so that you may move forward with courage and confidence.

In London, she participated in an intensive Solution-Focused and Narrative Therapy training at the Brief Institute.