Journal December 2025 Release - Flipbook - Page 10
8
At about 02:00, I had a few moments to myself and opened one of my new
narrative therapy books. I was thoroughly engaged with a chapter describing the
challenges two therapists encountered in their efforts to decrease the incidence
of "self-abuse" within their facility. They found that arguing against self-abuse and
offering possible alternatives were counterproductive. They decided they would
try “co-research”, something they were introduced to at a David Epston
workshop. The topic seemed rather relevant, considering the story of the new
woman in the isolation room. I doubted that an approach like this might be
implemented in the ward I was working in, and in reply to my musings, whispered
to myself: “This method will never work here.”
The practice that was being described is known as the privileging of insider
knowledges and entailed the identification of the knowledges persons had about
their problems and how therapists might join them in countering these
difficulties. The authors concluded that acknowledging their own lack of expertise
and the resulting co-research, made it possible for their clients to find voice and
share their insider knowledges (Nosworthy and Lane, 1996).
Meeting Joanna
Suddenly, I heard a soft noise. I looked up to see an attractive, tall woman with a
shock of tousled blonde hair in front of me. She was dressed in crumpled day
clothes, clearly slept in. I had no idea how long she had been standing there
observing me, just as I had earlier observed her without her knowledge. I got up
from my chair and introduced myself. She held a cup of strong local coffee out to
me in both her bandaged hands. Coffee was technically contraband in the clinic at
that time of night, but I chose not to mention it.
It dawned on me: “Ah, this must be the ‘difficult’ patient day staff told me
about”. Although alarmed by her sudden appearance, I was relieved that she
seemed calm. We shared friendly banter and were curious to get to know one
another.
“Hi, I’m Joanna,” she said. “Who are you?”
“Hi. I am Jo. Thanks for the coffee. Do you want to sit down a bit?"
An Apprenticeship in Extremis
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, December 2025 Release, p. 5-44.
www.journalnft.com
