This practical workshop will offer you an introduction to the key ideas and practices of narrative therapy in clear, useable ways that can be taken into your everyday work in any setting.

Karen is well known for her ability to translate the complexities of narrative practice into understandable language. She will offer you an overview of the fundamentals of foundational theories that support narrative therapy, and practical applications that you can

use immediately in your work. Guidelines with specific examples for developing questions that will enhance your ability to create useful conversations with clients of any age and any presenting issue will also be reviewed. You will leave with ideas that can be used within a narrative practice or enrich other practice approaches.

Walk-in clinics and other forms of quick access to services have become a key part of the landscape of service delivery in Ontario as outlined in the policy paper, “No More, No Less: Brief Mental Health Services for Children and Youth" (Duvall, J., Young, K.,Kays-Burden, A.,2012). Narrative therapy ideas and practices provide therapists with ways of quickly engaging people in deeply meaningful and useful conversations. These practices are a perfect fit for settings in which just a brief encounter with people is possible, such as walk-in clinics or other short-term services where we need to make the most of the session.

Karen will share discoveries made during her 17 years working at a walk-in clinic and providing brief therapy services, about what aspects of narrative practice are particularly useful in these settings. Remarkable conversations that are “enough” can take place in one meeting when the therapist has skills that allow for respectful engagement in meaningful conversation quickly.