Narrative Exposure Therapy
A structured trauma therapy, often used with survivors of repeated or complex trauma, that involves constructing a chronological narrative of one’s life including traumatic events.
What Is Narrative Exposure Therapy?
Narrative exposure therapy is a structured, short-term trauma treatment, originally developed for survivors of war, torture, and other repeated or complex trauma (often in refugee and humanitarian settings), that involves constructing a detailed chronological narrative of a person’s life, including traumatic events, in the context of their broader life story.
How It Works
This approach is based on exposure principles, using the process of constructing a coherent, chronological life narrative, including detailed accounts of traumatic events, to help integrate fragmented traumatic memories. This description uses original explanatory language.
What Happens During Therapy?
Sessions involve working with the client to construct their life story chronologically, spending detailed time on traumatic events as they arise, with the therapist helping document the narrative, which may be provided to the client at the end of treatment.
Evidence and Effectiveness
Research supports narrative exposure therapy for PTSD, particularly in survivors of multiple or repeated traumas and in humanitarian and refugee settings, with evidence from multiple studies including in low-resource settings.
Who May Benefit?
Narrative exposure therapy may be considered for people who have experienced multiple or repeated traumatic events, including survivors of war, conflict, or organized violence.
Limitations and Considerations
This approach involves direct engagement with detailed trauma narratives, which can be emotionally demanding, and requires a therapist trained in this specific method.
Finding a Qualified Therapist
Narrative exposure therapy is delivered by psychologists and other mental health professionals with specific training in this method, often within specialized trauma or refugee mental health programs.
How Long Does Therapy Take?
Narrative exposure therapy is typically delivered over approximately 4 to 12 sessions, depending on the complexity of trauma history.
Therapy vs. Medication
For PTSD, narrative exposure therapy and medication are not necessarily competing options and may be used alone or in combination, in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
What Conditions Is It Used For?
Related Therapy Types
Medical Information Disclaimer
Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
References
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD.
- American Psychological Association. Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.