How do therapists deal with a client’s affect in narrative therapy? Include the focus on affect over the course of therapy.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In narrative therapy, at the beginning of client storytelling, more emotion is typically present. Strong affect marks key elements of stories that should be explored in greater detail. With most clients, therapists should not initially encourage clients to interpret their stories but to experience the affect present in the narratives. Finding meaning in narratives typically occurs later in the therapeutic process.