REVIEW OF MAPS OF NARRATIVE PRACTICE 1

A Review of Maps of Narrative Practice by Micheal White

Reviewed by Shelby Karch

White, M. (2007). Maps of Narrative Practice (1st ed.). W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

ISBN-13: 978-0-393-70516-4.

Regardless of the particular theory a counselor utilizes, it is inarguable that the stories that

a client brings to a session are important to the therapeutic process. However, practitioners of

narrative therapy place particular emphasis on more than just the stories that a client shares; they

also value the stories clients inherit, how they internalize the stories, what characters are in each

story, and, ultimately, what each story means to them. That being said, knowing when and how to

implement these aspects of narrative therapy can be challenging for a narrative therapist.

Therefore, to help guide practitioners, the founder of narrative therapy, Michael White, wrote the

book Maps of Narrative Practice with the goal of digging deeper into the most important

methods of narrative therapy. Interestingly, White uses the term ‘map’ in the title because he

hopes to not only guide the readers through narrative therapy but also help demonstrate that this

theory of counseling should be approached like a map with some destinations but allow for what

he calls ‘the scenic route’ as they approach the story that the client creates.

Because he is widely known as the ‘founder of narrative therapy,’ the Australian therapist

Michael White is uniquely qualified to outline the best practices for the theory. Even though it is

not his first book on narrative therapy, Maps of Narrative Practice differs from his other works

in that it does not focus on applying the theory to a particular issue or group and is not a broad

introduction, but rather is a deep dive into the practice of guiding a client through the most

important aspects of their stories through the lens of narrative therapy.

REVIEW OF MAPS OF NARRATIVE PRACTICE 2

In order to cover the most important interventions from narrative therapy with sufficient

depth, the book is not divided into different parts and instead has chapters devoted to one

technique each. The chapters that outline these approaches are as follows: externalizing

conversations, re-authoring conversations, re-membering conversations, definitional ceremonies,

conversations that highlight unique outcomes, and scaffolding conversations.

As the most widely known and arguably most important technique within narrative

therapy, it makes sense that White starts with the process of externalization. In general,

externalization could be understood as taking an internalized outlook or set of stories, giving it a

label, and treating it as separate from the client, focusing on the problem rather than the person. I

found it particularly interesting and potentially helpful that when assigning names to the

problem, one can pick a humorous title to automatically diminish the power that the problem has

over the client. The second major concept in the book is re-authoring conversations where the

counselor supports individuals in telling their stories, understanding who is the agent of change

in their narrative, and incorporating forgotten but significant experiences to offer alternative

perspectives. In this section, White also advocates for walking the client through alternate

“landscapes of consciousness” so they can review areas of their stories that are in the

background, or landscape, and bring them to the forefront. This technique is less straightforward

than externalization but is just as important in helping the client thicken their narrative and

allowing them to gain personal autonomy.

Once the client re-examines the content of their story, they can begin to shift their

previously held evaluations and then reintegrate them into their story. This process is known as

re-membering conversations in that the counselor encourages the client to assimilate their

observations back into their self-identity, understand what identities they want to be a ‘member’
REVIEW OF MAPS OF NARRATIVE PRACTICE 3

of, and start reengaging with the characters of their story. Next, the client can engage in a

practice termed by White as definitional ceremonies, which mimic social messages clients get

from their peers, but instead of receiving negative stories, the client experiences positive

messages. This intervention looks like the client sharing their story in front of a carefully

selected outside witness within a therapy session. Even though I personally would be leery about

using this technique with clients, I could see how this could be beneficial in some circumstances

where the client needs some healing that social support can provide. The next technique involves

engaging in conversations that highlight unique outcomes and are intended to identify neglected

aspects of the problem that can significantly alter one's self-perception, promoting resolution and

change. This intervention can help redefine past experiences while creating positive outlooks on

future problems. The final technique is more of an approach to therapy that integrates all of the

previous interventions into one cohesive map. This technique, scaffolding conversations, is

generally understood as the process of counselors enabling clients to navigate difficult stories

gradually, with therapists providing intentional support through skillful questioning. In general,

the goal is to move from present experiences into the future by moving through a “proximal zone

of development” (p. 263). This term essentially means the in-between space of what is known

and what is possible or unfamiliar for the client about themselves. Therefore, this overall process

involves the therapist helping the client grow supports, or scaffolding, for any future personal

growth.

The narrative therapy approach presented in this book could be integrated into a

multicultural approach, helping clients from diverse backgrounds. For instance, White illustrates

how scaffolding conversations can foster personal agency by dismantling societal norms, thereby

augmenting individual empowerment. While not explicitly delving into multicultural

REVIEW OF MAPS OF NARRATIVE PRACTICE 4

marginalization, White's conceptual framework concerning power dynamics that marginalize and

disempower individuals can be readily applied to various facets of cultural marginalization. Even

though this book does not explicitly address multicultural issues, the method of scaffolding

conversations, which could involve deconstructing societal standards to enhance agency, can be

generalized to address systemic discrimination in multicultural contexts.

On a personal level, I found that White's perspective closely aligned with my own

understanding of human nature. His insights resonated with my beliefs, and I concur that the

interventions he advocates have the potential to foster significant growth in clients. Therefore,

reading Maps of Narrative Practice has not only deepened my appreciation for his therapeutic

approach but also reinforced my confidence in the usefulness of the interventions he proposes.

The book's primary strength lies in its accessibility, exemplified by the inclusion of

numerous diagrams that effectively illustrate the practical application of narrative practice. Case

examples further enhance its readability by giving insights into the efficacy of interventions,

providing a qualitative case study perspective that supports the principles of narrative therapy.

White's non-pathologizing outlook also encourages counselors to move beyond relying on

diagnosis, instead focusing on a holistic understanding of the client and holding to a strong belief

in their capacity for growth. The book's comprehensive coverage of narrative therapy, addressing

philosophy, approach, and specific interventions, is the strength that underscores the whole work.

Even though there are many strengths within this book, there are some weaknesses to White's

approach that are noteworthy. Firstly, the characterization of the counselor as an investigator

raises questions about the balance of expertise between counselor and client, which could

undermine the collaborative nature of the therapeutic relationship. Another weakness is the lack

of acknowledgment of alternative counseling theories, such as solution-focused brief therapy,

REVIEW OF MAPS OF NARRATIVE PRACTICE 5

existential therapy, or even the most clearly associated theory of positive psychology. While

White acknowledges the influence of major thinkers like Jerome Bruner and Barbara Myerhoff,

there is a notable omission of recognition for therapeutic approaches similar to or potentially

influencing his theory. Additionally, the layout of the book, despite claiming to be a non-directive

presentation of the various narrative approaches, may inadvertently encourage a linear

application for new counselors who do not carefully read or consider the book. These critiques

offer important considerations for those reading Maps of Narrative Practice and using White's

work for counseling.

Despite these critiques, Maps of Narrative Practice is a significant contribution to the field,

providing a profound exploration of narrative therapy that can be powerful in helping clients in

various situations. Ultimately, Micheal White’s book serves as a valuable guide for those looking

to deepen their understanding of narrative therapy and its potential in counseling.