Narrative CBT

Book excerpt: The popularity of using narrative, metaphor and building solutions in CBT has increased in recent years. Narrative CBT, part of the third wave of cognitive therapies, recognises the importance of helping to build new ideas and practices in order to create change, examining a person’s multiple and evolving narratives and their behaviour as intrinsically meaningful. In Narrative CBT, John Rhodes presents the features of NCBT in thirty key points. The first fifteen summarise how the theory of narrative can clarify difficulties with emotions, motives and interactions and address how rebuilding confidence and trust is crucial for change to be achieved. In the second half of the book, case conceptualisation and the techniques of NCBT are explained and illustrated. Narrative, solution-orientated and CBT techniques are integrated and specific NCBT approaches for trauma, depression and OCD are highlighted. Ideal for clinical and counselling psychologists, both established and in training, psychotherapists and all professionals carrying out therapy in the field of mental health, this book clearly and accessibly presents the techniques and key concepts of Narrative CBT.