Maps of Narrative Practice (Norton Professional Books (Hardcover))

I suspect Philip didn't actually read Maps of Narrative Practice, just glanced at the index. If he'd read it, he'd have found it to be a clear, precise, moving, warm, and effective tool kit for those therapists who are interested in further developing their skills.White has been developing these ideas over decades, but this is his first mainstream book, hence the references to his own works. He's not writing just to publish, he's writing to give as clear a map as he can of his own highly successful methods.I can't think of a book more profound in its potential effects than Maps of Narrative Practice. Broad use of these therapeutic methods and maps will result, I believe, in stronger communities, in greater joy, in people finding meaning and worth where they didn't before recognize its presence, moving from feeling useless to feeling the power to shape their lives in harmony with what they value.White's ideas build on and incorporate concepts of identity and learning uncovered by Myerhoff, Bruner, Vygotsky, and other greats, but, most important of all, his ideas come from his work with clients. His miraculously open mind allows him to find, and recognize, simply, what works, rather than what ought to work. I would almost say he comes at this with a sort of blue collar innocence, pragmatic, calm, genuinely concerned, confident of the possibility of discovering a scaffold to new ideas for even the most "hopeless" cases.Rather than being all puffed up about his importance, he's as unassuming as a plumber coming to unclog your toilet, which, let's face it, is a pretty good analogy of what a therapist hopes to accomplish in the realms of psyche.I don't know White's background. I only know that he tells the truth in plainly eloquent human language.He provides structures of inquiry based on how we develop concepts and learn to navigate, so the work flows. The outcomes are always surprising, and it's clear that White's pleasure in this work arises from being witness to these flowerings of possibility.You could say he's devised a method for letting the work do itself. Like a carpenter might say to an apprentice, let the tool do the work. Relax. Pay attention.Any therapist with the desire to serve as agents to their clients' authorship of their own lives will find White's concepts invaluable.Hs brief notes, interspersed throughout the book, on how he arrived at his methods, provide a useful template for anyone setting out to learn how to learn.White's voice is delightful, unique, personal. His fresh and open look at who we are and how we become, if you actually read it, will serve up treasures you'll be glad to incorporate into your own practice.

I remember reading about narrative therapy in my beginning counseling textbooks and thinking, "I would never use this, it doesn't seem helpful or communicable." That mindset changed when I sat in with another counselor who used it almost exclusively. I was amazed. Not only was he able to use it across multiple ages and clinical diagnoses, but people (including myself, the observer) left the office feeling like a new person. I asked how he first got involved with narrative therapy, and he pointed me in the direction of this book by the late Michael White. I want to read this book twice before I give any critical analysis to the content, but I will say that everything you need to know about narrative practice is in this book. That said, it is a lot to digest. I think I struggle most with this book because of the author's Australian heritage. It's not that his writing lacks potency or salience, it's just culturally different from what I'm used to here in the States. Nevertheless, I encourage anyone interested in expanding their therapy toolbox to read and reread this book. You will find that many of the central aspects of therapy (what makes it work e.g., the relationship) are still the trunk upon which the branches of narratives extend. What made this book significant for me was the way I saw these central dynamics of therapy from a new perspective.

I was (and still am) very interested in learning more about narrative therapy--as the tidbits I know of seem like great additions to treatment. I bought this book because of all of great reviews here on Amazon (especially the reviews saying this was a great book for beginners), I'm giving this 3 stars because this book is extremely hard to understand. I would not recommend this to beginners. I'm not sure what other narrative books (if any) offer a great beginner's guide..but this was definitely not that kind of book.I am not sure why White writes in such a confusing manner but the next attempt I make to learn more about Narrative therapy will not include any writings by White. Yes, he was a brilliant guy but even the brightest people have great difficulty communicating to others who are not at their level.

Michael White, the author of Maps of Narrative Practice, died unexpectedly in April of this year at the young age of 59. The loss for the psychological community is huge. This is a man who is the father of narrative therapy, a profoundly powerful and effective for therapists to assist clients with their problems. It is indeed very sad this will be Michael White's last book. In this book, White explains how the stories of our lives can be mapped in such a way that our strengths and often forgotten or barely developed positive experiences can be brought forth and alter how we view ourselves and our capabilities. It is a fascinating book, and would be interesting for both the practitioner and layperson interested in human growth and potential.

I believe that the practice of psychotherapy, and especially the field of marriage and family therapy, are not well served by gurus--not to say that White considers himself a guru. But White does set the "guru" stage when, in a 300 page book, he has only 25 references, and 28% of the 25 references are his own writings--only 12%--a mere 3 references actually refer to psychological research. In addition, the references he cites, again other than White's own writings, are 17 or more years old!!In a more positive vein, White does take the work of Jerome Brunner [2 references] and Lev Vygotsky [1 reference] and skillfully applies it to the task of doing psychotherapy. I found it a moderately interesting book but certainly not based on thorough psychological research.

This book talks through the narrative approach in a comprehensive and practical style. It is already beginning to positively impact my therapeutic practice and I enjoyed reading it!

Very happy with my purchase thanks.

I agree with D Munro's review. It's a wonderful book. Michael White was one of the inventors of Narrative Therapy which is based on the social constructionist perspective. This sees individuals not as "autonomous units of thought and action" but as embedded in and shaped by the culture and relationships they live in. He says people (and by implication therapists working in other perspectives) believe the former. The result is that individuals (and their therapists) see their problems as resulting from fixed 'truths' inside themselves or others and therefore as an inevitable consequence of who they are. His approach externalises people's problems into their social context, helps them to redefine them, and to develop and implement their own solutions. The book is really easy to read, it's really engaging, it's all practical explanations and case transcripts - not overly theoretical. And, I would have thought, food for thought and a challenge for therapists and counsellors working in other perspectives. He must have had a great sense of humour, it comes through in the text and the transcripts of the therapeutic conversations. Very highly recommended.

Exactly what I was looking for when I wanted a book on narrative therapy. It goes into great detail without getting overwhelmingly technical. The demonstration sections are full chunks of dialogue, which is just so much more helpful than a dry explanation of why and how a certain theory or technique should or shouldn't work. This was definitely one of the better "instruction manual" types for counseling techniques out there.

I have been studying Narrative therapy for over a year and I find Micheal White's book the best source for original theory and practice. Narrative Therapy is, hands down, the best anti-oppressive practice out there. As one of the creators of Narrative Therapy, Michael White dials in his theory and practice with a down-to-earth writing style that reflects his heart for helping all of us understand and use this powerful therapy. A powerful and insightful read and an even more powerful re-read. A must have for the library of any anti-oppressive human service worker, therapist, or anyone who believes in our uniqueness of experience and our innate capacity to heal. Narrative therapy breaks new ground in the old world of people-pathologizing, euro-centered therapies.