Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

`This is a fascinating and important book' - John McLeod

`A book which is refreshing, thoughtful and modest in its outlook...there is something in this book for most of us' - The New Therapist

`Martin Payne accomplishes more than an introduction to the ideas and practices behind Narrative Therapy. He achieves a simple clarity of expression without undermining the complexity of some of the ideas.... This book is wide-ranging, accessible and current' - The Journal of Family Therapy

Narrative therapy provides exciting alternatives for counsellors seeking new ways of working. The author of this absorbing introduction demonstrates that ideas and methods developed by influential family therapists Michael White and David Epston are equally appropriate for work with individuals and couples.

Martin Payne overviews narrative therapy practices, with vivid illustrations from transcripts of sessions, and describes the post-structuralist philosophical assumptions which inform narrative therapy. Many assumptions in traditional counselling are re-examined, and the reader is invited to consider the extent to which values and methods of narrative therapy might resonate with, enrich or challenge their existing approach. The book ends with an experiential exercise in narrative co-supervision.

Average Customer Rating:

Helpful, Yes... But Undeniably Sexist

Customer Rating:

This fairly readable and reasonably comprehensive treatise on Narrative Therapy would provide a good introduction to the subject, were it not to fail notably in its unfair representation of males as abusers. It is no exaggeration to say that every abusive act described in this book is perpetrated by a male, and that roughly half the male clients described herein actively engage in some sort of abusive behavior. To quote the author: "My politics are liberal-left, so I do not invite persons to consider the harmful effects of liberal-left ideas in the production of their problems; though, holding liberal-left views, I do believe that considering the nature and sources of racism, gender stereotyping and unacknowledged power politics may have a beneficial effect." Although Mr. Payne may be correct in reckoning that his own views are consistent with some types of liberal-left politics, he fails to express that such views also have a good deal to do with gender stereotyping, and that to so politicize therapy is to oneself engender such "unacknowledged power politics". As a liberal and psychotherapist myself, I believe such an arguably indoctrinating approach to therapy to be hypocritical and counterproductive.

Wish I had read this one first.

Customer Rating:

Having read just about every book on Narrative Therapy I can safely say this is one of the best of the bunch. Clear explanations, the author's personally-revealing case transcripts and a practical clinical focus make this a great introduction to Narrative Therapy. I wish I had started here. Phillip Ziegler, co-author of Recreating Partnership: A Solution-Oriented, Collaborative Approach to Couples Therapy