Help Clients Rewrite Their Stories: 7 Narrative Therapy Worksheets for Empowering Change

Narrative therapy's strength lies in its ability to help clients separate themselves from their problems and recognize their inherent wisdom and resilience. Rather than pathologizing experiences, this approach positions clients as the experts of their own lives, capable of authoring new chapters that align with their values and strengths.

This collection includes structured worksheets created by Teresa F. Jansen, LPC, NCC, each targeting a specific narrative therapy technique.

The "Tree of Life" exercise helps clients map their cultural roots, relationships, and aspirations through visual metaphor.

Externalization activities guide clients in viewing challenges as separate from their identity, reducing shame and increasing manageability.

Re-authoring exercises build on "sparkling moments"—times when clients acted contrary to problem-saturated narratives—to create more accurate, affirming stories about their capabilities and potential.

Each worksheet includes clear directions, estimated completion times, and thoughtful prompts that help clients connect past experiences with present strengths. The therapeutic witnessing component encourages clients to share their evolving narratives, creating opportunities for new meaning-making and community connection.

These tools work particularly well with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma responses, or life transitions where identity and self-concept feel uncertain or negative.