Using the Narrative Approach in Groups for Chemically Dependent Mothers

ABSTRACT

The powerful and healing effects of the narrative approach with the mothers at Family House, a residential treatment program for chemically dependent women, support the use of narratives in groups. Creative clinical techniques that facilitate the telling of stories are detailed. Eight themes were constructed from a retrospective review of group process notes, graduation ceremonies, and one author's written stories about clients. These repeated gender-associated themes include: no power, no sense of self, no joy, no honesty, no trust, no sense of community, no attention span, and no words for feelings. Directions for future research are identified.

KEYWORDS:

• Chemically dependent women
• narrative approach
• story telling
• group work
• narrative therapy
• women's groups