The Narrative Training Centre

Introductory Course

Related Links Narrative Network News Dulwich Centre Family Therapy Centre, New Zealand Johnella Bird Under The Rainbow Counselling Eddie Gallagher - Kid's Violence to Parents		For practitioners who have completed the introductory course E - X - T - E - N - D - I - N - G YOUR NARRATIVE PRACTICE COURSE The NTC runs an “E-x-t-e-n-d-i-n-g your narrative practice” course on Thursday evenings commencing the first Thursday evening in September for practitioners who have completed the NTC introductory course, one week intensive in Adelaide with Michael White, or equivalent and wish to consolidate their learnings and extend their theoretical and practical knowledge of practical concepts. This course will consist of eight evening sessions run on a fortnightly basis. The exact nature of the course will depend on the wishes of the students but it is envisaged it will include presentations by students, case studies, how narrative deals with specific areas, practical exercises, and more. COURSE DETAILS This course will provide you with opportunities to consolidate previous learnings and extend the theoretical basis of narrative approaches. Whilst saying this, we will be emphasizing the relationship between ideas and practice and have the intention to respond to your particular areas of interest as well as your hopes for the course. Reflection by students and presentation of your practice is envisaged as a core component. Whilst the exact course details are yet to be decided, we plan to cover some of the following: post structuralism, externalising conversations, dominant stories, discourses, shaping-reshaping identities, re-membering, outsider witness groups, practice dilemmas, ethics & responsibility, accountability and therapeutic documents, as well as our understanding of the ideas and work of Johnella Bird. Practice Topics covered will depend on student interest but may include, but not be restricted to: Older People, Children, Sexual Identities, Young People, Families, Depression, Death and Dying, Family Violence, Homelessness.
		STRUCTURALISM AND POST PRODUCTION STRUCTURALISM						EXTERNALISING CONVERSATIONS/DOMINANT STORIES/DISCOURSES
		An Introduction to some of the philosophical ideas influencing narrative therapy. A brief overview of the work of Sassure , Derrida and Foucault. Key concepts such as deconstruction, power, resistance, production of subjectivity, and insider knowledge will be explored with practice examples.						We will look at the various discourses that we are operating in and being influenced by, both in a work context and in and out of work living. We will practice externalising conversations around problem areas that participants select as being relevant and of interest to them. We will examine the metaphor of story and role play ways of contrasting dominant and alternative stories.

		SHAPING AND RESHAPING OF IDENTITIES						OUTSIDER WITNESS GROUP
		We will explore the theoretical background to re-authoring identities based on the work of Foucault and adapted by Michael White in the Production of Personal Failure dominant and alternative stories.						We will look at the development of this practice viewing a video of the Definitional Ceremony work of Barbara Myerhoff and how it fits with other narrative concepts. There will be opportunities for practice and experiencing the centrality of an OWG in Narrative practice.

		THE IDEAS OF JOHNELLA BIRD						ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITY
		We will introduce Relational Languaging and constructing the continuous present. Demonstrate how we can move 'taken for granted' language practices and habits we use, into relational languaging, Look at the effects of both 'taken for granted' language practices and habits and the effects of relational languaging on therapeutic conversations (includes operations of power relations in therapeutic relationships) Do practice exercise(s).						This session will look at how ethics and ideas about responsibility underpin our work, especially with reference to our work in the area of violence and abuse. This will include a focus on the notions of neutrality and non-neutrality and how this affects our work.

		ACCOUNTABILITY						PRACTICE DILEMMAS AND CHALLENGES
		This session will focus on how the narrative approach looks at practices of accountability, with particular reference to people in positions of power being accountable to people in positions of less power. This will include looking at some of the societal structure of power such as class, race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual preference, and looking at ways of addressing these injustices.						There will be a session devoted to exploring the practice issues and challenges encountered by the course participants as they take up Narrative ideas and ways of working. This session will provide a chance to reflect on the aspects of Narrative practice and concepts that most capture your attention and imagination.

		TEACHING STAFF

		All NTC trainers are current practising therapists with clinical expertise and extensive experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Fees are $420 or $380 for payments received at least one month before the course begins.
Courses are held at the Kildara Centre, rear, 39 Stanhope Street, Malvern.

ENQUIRIES

For further information, please call Ron Schweitzer (03) 9579 2077, Helen Wirtz (03) 9509 7805 or email

ENROLMENTS

Please select from the list below for the best option for you.