Comprehensive Narrative Therapy Reading Guide
Table of Contents
- Foundational Works (Core Theory & Practice)
- Practice Story Collections & Applied Narrative
- Child & Family-Focused Narrative Therapy
- Couples & Relational Narrative Practice
- Companion & Cultural Extensions
- David Epston – Articles & Journal of Systemic Therapies Contributions
- Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy (JCNT) Articles
- Narrative Therapy in Palliative Care & Grief (Sasha Pilkington)
- Short Reads & Supplements
1. Foundational Works (Core Theory & Practice)
Epston, D., & White, M. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. New York, NY: Norton.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1992). Experience, contradiction, narrative & imagination: Selected papers of David Epston & Michael White, 1989–1991. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D. (2016). Re-imagining narrative therapy: A history for the future. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(1), 79–87.
Heath, T., Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D. (Eds.). (2022). Reimagining narrative therapy through practice stories and autoethnography (1st ed.). Routledge.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1992). Experience, contradiction, narrative & imagination: Selected papers of David Epston & Michael White, 1989–1991. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1995). Termination as a rite of passage: Questioning strategies for a therapy of inclusion. In R. Neimeyer & M. Mahoney (Eds.), Constructivism in psychotherapy (pp. xx–xx). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1995). Consulting your consultants: A means to the co-construction of alternative knowledges. In S. Friedman (Ed.), The reflecting team in action (pp. xx–xx). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Epston, D., White, M., & Murray, K. (1993). A proposal for a re-authoring therapy: Rose’s revisioning of her life and a commentary. In S. McNamee & K. J. Gergen (Eds.), Therapy as social construction (pp. xx–xx). London, UK: Sage Publications.
Freedman, J., & Combs, G. (1996). Narrative therapy: The social construction of preferred realities. New York, NY: Norton.
Morgan, A. (2000). What is narrative therapy? An easy-to-read introduction. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (1991). Deconstruction and therapy. Dulwich Centre Newsletter, 3, 21–40.
White, M. (1995). Re-authoring lives: Interviews and essays. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (1997). Narratives of therapists’ lives. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (2000). Reflections on narrative practice. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (2004). Narrative practice and exotic lives: Resurrecting diversity in everyday life. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice. New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
White, M. (2011). Narrative practice: Continuing the conversations (D. Denborough, Ed.). New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
White, M. (2016). Narrative therapy classics. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M., & Epston, D. (1985). Consulting your consultants’ consultants. Melbourne, VIC: V.A.F.T.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1995). Termination as a rite of passage: Questioning strategies for a therapy of inclusion. In R. Neimeyer & M. Mahoney (Eds.), Constructivism in psychotherapy (pp. xx–xx). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Epston, D., & White, M. (1995). Consulting your consultants: A means to the co-construction of alternative knowledges. In S. Friedman (Ed.), The reflecting team in action (pp. xx–xx). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Epston, D., White, M., & Murray, K. (1993). A proposal for a re-authoring therapy: Rose’s revisioning of her life and a commentary. In S. McNamee & K. J. Gergen (Eds.), Therapy as social construction (pp. xx–xx). London, UK: Sage Publications.
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2. Practice Story Collections & Applied Narrative
Epston, D. (1989). Collected papers (family therapy). Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D. (1998). Catching up with David Epston: A collection of narrative practice-based papers, published between 1991 and 1996. Dulwich Centre Publications.
White, M. (2000). Reflections on narrative practice: Essays and interviews. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D. (2008). Down under and up over: Travels with narrative therapy (B. Bowen, Ed.). AFT Publishing.
White, M., (2000). Reflections on narrative practice: Essays and interviews. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D. (2010). The Corner: Stories this time. International Narrative Therapy Archive.
Epston, D. (2011). The Corner: Clients who inspired you. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(1), 84–96.
Epston, D. (2012). The Corner: Mother appreciation parties. International Narrative Therapy Archive.
Epston, D. (2013). Putting pressure on yourself to put pressure on the problem. Context, 85, 2–5.
Epston, D., Heath, T., Ingamells, K., & McAllum Pilkington, S. (2016). Exemplary tales: Virtual apprenticeships. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(2), 56–70. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2016.35.2.56
Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., & Freedman, J. (2017). There’s always a puppy (and sometimes a bunny): A story about a story about a story. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(3), 73–82.
Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., Huerta Lopez, A., Vedvei, S., & Pilkington, S. (2017). Learning narrative therapy backwards: Exemplary Tales as an Alternative Pedagogy for Learning Practice. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 36(1), 94–107.
Ingamells, K. (2022). Wrapped in care: Narrative therapy in the time of COVID. Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, Release 2, 3–26. www.journalnft.com
White, M. (1997). Stories of therapeutic practice: Narrative concepts in family therapy. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Monk, G., Winslade, J., Crocket, K., & Epston, D. (Eds.). (1997). Narrative therapy in practice: The archaeology of hope. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Zimmerman, J. L., & Dickerson, V. C. (1996). If problems talked: Narrative therapy in action. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Epston, D. (2010). The Corner: Stories this time. International Narrative Therapy Archive.
Epston, D. (2011). The Corner: Clients who inspired you. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(1), 84–96.
Epston, D. (2012). The Corner: Mother appreciation parties. International Narrative Therapy Archive.
Epston, D. (2013). Putting pressure on yourself to put pressure on the problem. Context, 85, 2–5.
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3. Child & Family-Focused Narrative Therapy
Freeman, J., Epston, D., & Lobovits, D. (1997). Playful approaches to serious problems: Narrative therapy with children and their families. W. W. Norton & Company.
Smith, C., & Nylund, D. (Eds.). (1997). Narrative therapies with children and adolescents. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Winslade, J., & Monk, G. (1999). Narrative counseling in schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
White, M., & Morgan, A. (2006). Narrative therapy with children and their families. Adelaide, South Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D., & Marsten, D. (2001). Family and community narrative practices. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Marsten, D., Epston, D., & Markham, L. (2016). Narrative therapy in wonderland: Connecting with children's imaginative know-how. W. W. Norton & Company
Ingamells, K. (2016). Wilbur the Worrier becomes Wilbur the Warrior: A teaching story for narrative family therapists. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(4), 42–60.
Ingamells, K. (2016). Learning how to counter-story in narrative therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(4), 61–74.
Ingamells, K., & Epston, D. (2013). A family and community approach to stealing. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 32(1), 43–55.
Ingamells, K., & Ijsseldijk, A. (2013). Cloaked in life and death: Re-surfacing from the loss of a father. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 32(2), 89–104.
Ingamells, K., & Epston, D. (2014). Love is not all you need: A revolutionary approach to parental abuse. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 35, 364–382. https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1069
Ingamells, K. (2022). Wrapped in Care: Narrative Therapy in the Time of COVID. Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, Release 2, 3–26. www.journalnft.com
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4. Couples & Relational Narrative Practice
Winslade, J., & Monk, G. (1999). Narrative therapy with couples: A living human systems approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Lewis, L., et al. (2006). Relative meaning: Narrative practice with couples and families. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D., & Winslade, J. (2003). Collaborative narrative therapy with couples. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Paljakka, S., & Carlson, T. S. (2020). Love is not dead yet: Narrative couples therapy in times of unlove. Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. December Release.
Carlson, T. (2020). What is a good story? Counterstorying in narrative therapy. Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
Carlson, T. (2020). Who is the insider in insider and outsider witnessing practices? Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. April Release.
Zimmerman, J., & Carlson, T. (2020). Insider witnessing practices, trauma, and neuro-affectional reauthoring. Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D. H. (2017). Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part One. Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D. H. (2017). Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part Two. Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
Winslade, J., & Monk, G. (1999). Narrative therapy with couples: A living human systems approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Lewis, L., et al. (2006). Relative meaning: Narrative practice with couples and families. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Epston, D., & Winslade, J. (2003). Collaborative narrative therapy with couples. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Paljakka, S., & Carlson, T. S. (2020). Love is not dead yet: Narrative couples therapy in times of unlove. Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, December Release.
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5. Companion & Cultural Extensions
Brass, M., et al. (Eds.). (2006). Cultural stories: A narrative approach to race, culture & identity. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre.
Various Narrative Therapy Practitioners. (2006). Narrative means to ethical ends. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre.
Epston, D., & Carlson, T. S. (2017). Insider witnessing practices: Performing hope and beauty in narrative therapy. Journal of Narrative Family Therapy, 1, 19–38.
NiaNia, W., Bush, A., & Epston, D. (2024). Ngā Kūaha: Voices and visions in Māori healing and psychiatry (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003187042
NiaNia, W., Bush, A., & Epston, D. (2017). Collaborative and Indigenous mental health therapy: Tātaihono – Stories of Māori healing and psychiatry. Routledge.
Waldegrave, C., Tamasese, K., Tuhaka, F., & Campbell, W. (2003). Just therapy – a journey: A collection of papers from the Just Therapy Team, New Zealand. Dulwich Centre Publications.
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6. David Epston – Articles & Journal of Systemic Therapies Contributions
To be added
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7. Selection of Articles from The Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy (JCNT)
For more articles go to https://www.journalcnt.com
Narrative Practice with Psychosis
Haugaard, C., & Laura. (2024). Voices are nourished by fear. JCNT.
Haugaard, C. (2024). Respecting voices: Co-research on voice hearing. JCNT.
Haugaard, C., Ava, & Epston, D. (2023). The ring in the well: Psychosis as a crisis of identity. JCNT.
Haugaard, C. (2021). Demonstrating kindness to magical beings: Alice’s story. JCNT.
Haugaard, C. (2021). Rose and the whispering voices. JCNT.
Haugaard, C. (2021). Trish and a frustrated voice. JCNT.
Innovative Narrative Practice & Aesthetic Encounters
Cotter, L. M. (2025). Breaking the frame – Part 1. JCNT.
Cotter, L. M. (2025). Breaking the frame – Part 2. JCNT.
Training, Apprenticeship & Skill Development
Hancock, F., & Epston, D. (2024). Wayfaring: Apprenticeship in narrative enquiry. JCNT.
Hancock, F., & Epston, D. (2024). Becoming skilful. JCNT.
Cross-Cultural & Global Narrative Work
Grandesso, M. (2024). Narrative therapy in Brazil. JCNT.
Bellodi Cosa César, A. (2024). The bad and the good ghosts. JCNT.
Müller, A. (2024). Gardening narratives and storyliving. JCNT.
Faro Novis, A. L. de (2024). The mist and the sunflower. JCNT.
Professional Testimonials & Remembrances
Epston, D. (2024). Editors’ note (May 2024). JCNT.
Weingarten, K. (2024). Vicki, a remembrance. JCNT.
Dickerson, V. C. (2024). A narrative origin and conversion experience. JCNT.
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8. Narrative Therapy in Palliative Care & Grief
Pilkington, S. M. (2014). Traveling on the journey to death… Journal of Systemic Therapies.
Pilkington, S. M. (2016). Insurance policies for miracle cures… Journal of Systemic Therapies.
Pilkington, S. M. (2017). Deconstructing denial… Journal of Narrative Family Therapy.
Pilkington, S. M. (2018). A story illustrating narrative therapy in a cross-cultural… NZ Journal of Counselling.
Pilkington, S. M. (2021). Narrative therapy with someone experiencing significant loss… JCNT.
Pilkington, S. M. (2022). A story illustrating narrative therapy in a cross-cultural conversation… JCNT.
Pilkington, S. M. (2022). Deciding how to die: Narrative therapy in palliative care… JCNT.
Pilkington, S. M. (2023). A Small Hope: Co-creating a narrative of grief – Part I & II. Psychotherapy.net.
Pilkington, S. M. (2018). Writing narrative therapeutic letters… Journal of Narrative Family Therapy.
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9. Short Reads & Supplements
White, M. (1997). Externalising conversations: Asking questions about problems. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Various Authors. (2006). Definitional ceremonies in narrative therapy. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Brown, C., & Augusta-Scott, T. (Eds.). (2006). Narrative therapy: Making meaning, making lives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Ingamells, K. (2012). Placing strengths into storylines: Building bridges between strengths-based and narrative approaches. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, 3, 50–61.
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