Journal October 2026 Special DISPUK Release_Full Version - Flipbook - Page 6
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Invitations: Shortcuts to a Relational Narrative Practice
Martin Nevers, DISPUK
This paper explores how written invitations can serve as relational practices in
narrative therapy, particularly when working with children and young people who
approach therapy with hesitation, mistrust, or prior disappointment. Drawing
inspiration from both narrative practice and psychotherapy outcome research, I
propose that therapeutic relationships need not depend solely on time or face-toface meetings. Through examples of what I call 8invitation letters9 to three young
people, I examine how relational qualities can be nurtured before the first session,
inviting collaboration, recognition, and safety. The paper positions written
invitations as an active narrative practice that can create shortcuts to relation
building that honor people9s stories before they enter the room, as well as
allowing the therapist to show up even before the physical meeting. I will also
present a structure that makes letter writing easier to overcome if you lack time or
find it hard to write.
Let me start with an example of one of my latest invitations. I hope it will serve as
an anchor to hold on to when moving through my initial points. At the end of the
paper, I will give voice to Alex and Andy (Alex9s dad), who received the invitation.
Dear Alex,
My name is Martin, and I visited your parents9 workplace today to
teach conversation skills to your parents and their colleagues. During
one of the exercises we did, I had the opportunity to hear a bit about
some of the concerns Andy has been having lately. As you probably
already know, they are about whether you are okay with your life
these days.
Invitations: Shortcuts to a Relational Narrative Practice
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, October 2026 Special Release, p. 5-22
www.journalcnt.com
