Journal December 2025 Release - Flipbook - Page 22
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we reach them, and we will figure out what to do when the time comes. We are
in 'terra incognita' and I hope you people find that as interesting as I do.”
He asked us to become pioneers in a new narrative practice based on our threepronged approach: email conversations between Joanna, David, and me as The
Virtual Response team. The emails flowed between us for the better part of six
months. At times, emails crossed daily, and there were also times when the
periods between emails were longer and more relaxed. Initially, we got to know
one another and learned how the process worked. David provided guidance
throughout while I conducted conversations with Joanna in real-time, took
copious notes, and then summarized the conversations for David in an email.
David responded “inside” my email in capital letters for easy reading, thereby
creating a mock conversation. He responded to the most minute detail we
provided, his conversations filled with questions, challenges to Self-Destruction,
and protests over the influence Self-Destruction had on Joanna. For example, I
mentioned in passing that Joanna and I both enjoyed the writing process:
David: I am so relieved to hear that. Now that you both are feeling more
comfortable with “it”, is there any feedback you might like to give
me? Admittedly, we are all in this together, and I should warn you we are
all working it out as we go along. So, at any time, I would value your
thoughts, suggestions, corrections, or whatever. I really mean that.
Joanna and I read and re-read his letters, highlighting areas of importance and
interest to her as well as deleting and disregarding anything she did not agree
with. The process of taking notes during in-person conversations with Joanna,
transcribing, and summarizing our therapeutic conversations into letters helped
me to learn the craft of anti-anorexia. Every letter incrementally saved Joanna’s
life and taught me narrative practice from the inside out. Over time, I
transformed from being a student to a therapist with a position against
anorexia/bulimia, with appropriate questions and responses. The most important
lessons I learnt from this practice: David’s commitment to this process and the
fact that he never capitulated to the problem. It was clear that he was on
Joanna’s team.
An Apprenticeship in Extremis
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, December 2025 Release, p. 5-44.
www.journalnft.com
