Narrative Therapy™
Reclaiming Your Story — Trauma-Informed Narrative Therapy in BC
Narrative Therapy™ helps clients understand how trauma shapes the stories they tell about themselves. Stories that often feel like truth but were formed in moments of pain, fear, or survival.
I’m too much.
I should have known better.
I’m broken.
It wasn’t that bad, why can’t I just move on?
These aren’t facts. They’re trauma narratives.
Narrative Therapy™ helps you step outside these stories, examine where they came from, and begin to author something truer, a story rooted in your resilience, your values, and your lived experience.
How Narrative Therapy™ Works
Narrative Therapy™ separates you from the problem.
You are not the trauma.
You are not the story trauma wrote.
Through guided conversation, your counsellor helps you:
- Identify the dominant trauma narratives shaping your identity
- Understand how those narratives formed
- Explore the contexts in which they were created
- Notice the parts of your story that were left out and discover your strength, your survival, your wisdom
- Re-author a narrative that reflects your whole self, not just your hardest moments
This trauma-informed narrative therapy approach is gentle, collaborative, and deeply empowering.
Why Story Matters in Trauma Healing
Trauma doesn’t just affect the body, it affects meaning.
It shapes how you see yourself.
It shapes how you interpret your reactions.
It shapes what you believe you’re capable of.
Narrative Therapy™ helps clients reclaim authorship over their identity, relationships, and future, a process often described as identity reconstruction therapy.
Is Narrative Therapy™ Right for You?
This approach may be helpful if you:
Feel defined by what happened to you
Struggle with shame or self-blame
Notice old stories shaping your relationships or choices
Want to understand your patterns without judgment
Feel disconnected from your identity or sense of self
Want to reclaim authorship over your life
Many clients seeking trauma story healing in Maple Ridge find Narrative Therapy™ especially supportive.
I have been working with Shawna for years now and I found her at a time of crisis in my life where I needed a lot of help. Over the years, she has provided me with many tools to assist me in becoming a healthier person, improving my personal as well as professional life. I appreciate her warmth and knowledge, including her ability to challenge as well as to highlight the areas of growth and change that she observes. She is able to explain situations and responses to me in a way that is easy to connect with. I highly recommend Ignite Counselling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?
No. Narrative Therapy™ focuses on the meaning trauma left behind, not the blow‑by‑blow story. You never need to revisit anything before you’re ready. Many clients appreciate that this approach works with the beliefs, interpretations, and identity patterns shaped by trauma in a gentle, at your pace approach.
What does a Narrative Therapy session feel like?
Sessions are collaborative, reflective, and grounding. You may notice clarity, emotional softening, or a sense of spaciousness as old stories loosen their grip. Many clients describe sessions as “eye‑opening” or “relieving,” because they finally understand why certain patterns formed, without judgment or shame.
How long does Narrative Therapy take to work?
Every person’s story is different. Some clients notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions; others benefit from longer‑term work, especially when trauma narratives have shaped identity or beliefs for years. The pace is always guided by your nervous system, your capacity, and your goals.
Can Narrative Therapy be combined with other trauma therapies?
Yes. Narrative Therapy™ integrates beautifully with Somatic Experiencing®, Internal Family Systems™, and Transforming Touch™. Many clients find that combining body‑based trauma therapy with narrative work helps them understand both what their body carries and what their story has been saying.
Is Narrative Therapy helpful if I struggle with shame or self‑blame?
Absolutely. Shame is often a trauma story, not a personal truth. Narrative Therapy™ helps you examine where that story came from, how it formed, and what parts of your experience were left out. Clients often experience a profound shift in self‑compassion as these narratives soften.
Do I need a diagnosis to access Narrative Therapy?
No. You don’t need PTSD, C‑PTSD, or any formal label. If you feel defined by past experiences, stuck in old patterns, or disconnected from your sense of self, Narrative Therapy™ can help you reclaim authorship over your story.