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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2023.63.03.17
How to Cite:
Overchuk, V., Smulson, M., Vdovichenko, O., Maliar, O., & Vasuk, K. (2023). Psychological assistance to the individual in
situations of life crises using narrative practices. Amazonia Investiga, 12(63), 188-197. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2023.63.03.17
Psychological assistance to the individual in situations of life crises
using narrative practices
Психологічна допомога особистості в ситуаціях життєвих криз з використанням
наративних практик
Received: March 4, 2023 Accepted: April 28, 2023
Written by:
Victoriia Overchuk1
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7744-9346
Web of Science ResearcherID: AAY-4666-2020
Maryna Smulson2
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9563-3390
Web of Science Researcher ID HNF-8368-2023
Oksana Vdovichenko3
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0430-2295
Web of Science ResearcherID: AFA-4299-2022
Olena Maliar4
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5924-4120
Web of Science ResearcherID: GSN-9537-2022
Katerina Vasuk5
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6734-4612
Web of Science ResearcherID: HZL-2354-2023
Abstract
This article examines the theory and practice of
using narrative techniques to provide
psychological support to people facing life's
obstacles and crises. Researchers are studying
the key aspects of the narrative approach, its
effectiveness, and ways to combine it with
classical methods of psychological assistance.
The article aims to discuss an alternative
perception of social reality based on the ideas of
postmodernism about psychological support and
to reveal in more detail the narrative practice as
an innovative counseling technique. The research
methodology is based on the analysis of narrative
practice and its fundamental principles, such as
separating the problem from the individual,
recognizing the patient as an authority in his life,
and concentrating on considering the context of
1
Doctor of Economics, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychology, Vasyl' Stus Donetsk
National University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
2
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Academician of NAES of Ukraine, Department of Modern Information Technologies
of Education, G.S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
3
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Humanities, Department of Theories and Methods
of Practical Psychology, The State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky," Odesa,
Ukraine.
4
PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Department of Pedagogical Sciences, Professional and Primary Education, Vinnytsia
Academy of Continuing Education, Ukraine.
5
PhD in Psychology, Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychology, Vasyl' Stus Donetsk National Unsversity, Vinnytsia,
Ukraine.
Overchuk, V., Smulson, M., Vdovichenko, O., Maliar, O., Vasuk, K. / Volume 12 - Issue 63: 188-197 / March, 2023
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communication, where speech plays a central
role. The main conclusions demonstrate the
effectiveness of the narrative approach as a tool
for psychological support in crises. This
technique ensures that each case's characteristics
and specifics are considered, contributing to the
successful solution of problems and restoring the
psychological balance of individuals. A more
detailed analysis of narrative methods may
contribute to their further integration with
traditional approaches and lead to the creation of
new models of psychological assistance.
Keywords: social reality, psychological
assistance, internal resources, crisis situations,
narrative practice.
Introduction
Life crises are integral to personality
development and can occur when overcoming
difficult life situations, adapting to changes, and
moving from one stage to another (Mirvis, 2023).
Providing psychological assistance in crises
requires an approach that considers the specifics
of the individual, traditions, and the context of
his life. In this shape, narrative practices provide
an excellent opportunity to help people gain the
resources to overcome crises, make sense of
difficulties, and find new ways to solve
problems.
In recent decades, there has been an increasing
interest in ideas and approaches that differ
significantly from the classical psychological
line in the field of psychological science and
practice. These ideas develop through the
influence of the postmodern direction, offering
an alternative view of social reality and ways of
providing psychological assistance (McCaie,
2020). The narrative approach is one of the most
expressive and significant approaches that stand
out in this context.
The purpose of this article is to study the
theoretical foundations and practical significance
of narrative approaches in providing
psychological assistance in situations of life
crises. The article is supposed to consider the
following scientific issues:
1. Definition of the concept of "life crisis" and
the specifics of its manifestation.
2. Postmodern concept of narrative practices,
their main provisions, and tools.
3. Experience in the use of narrative practices
in dealing with crises and their effectiveness.
As a result of these studies, the authors intend to
develop recommendations for specialists in the
field of psychological assistance, allowing them
to successfully use narrative practices in working
with a person in situations of life crises. In
addition, the implementation of narrative
approaches into professional practice contributes
to the understanding of the characteristics and
capabilities of the individual, the activation of
internal resources, and the development of
strategies for coping with crisis periods.
Literature Review
The narrative approach has developed and
becomes an independent direction in modern
psychological practice (Kawai, 2022). Essential
components of this current are "narrative
psychotherapy" and "narrative counseling,"
which have already established well-established
areas of expertise and application (Maree, 2020).
The introduction and application of a narrative
approach in psychology is evidence of expanding
horizons and new opportunities for working with
patients, taking into account their unique life
stories and experiences (Rolland & Walsh,
2022). In addition, emphasis on narratives –
narratives of events and beliefs through which
individuals acquire and maintain their self-
identity – allows for a deeper understanding and
coping with the complex life crises individuals
face (Stebleton & Franklin, 2022). Thus, the
narrative approach offers a more flexible,
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comprehensive, and personalized form of
psychological assistance, recognizing and
respecting each person's individuality.
Sarbin (1986), the founder of the narrative
approach, saw narrative as a fundamental
principle underlying human actions and deeds.
He pointed out that through storytelling,
individuals can better know themselves and their
actions (Sarbin, 1986). Hermans and
Hermans-Konopka (2010) developed the concept
of the Dialogical self theory, according to which
self-consciousness is presented as a polyphonic
novel owned by numerous authors. This implies
that our identity comprises many voices
interacting with each other in a "dialogue."
McAdams (2001) introduced the model of
identity as a personal story. We create our past,
perceive the present, and anticipate the future
through specific life stories that give meaning to
life and integrity. This approach is used in
psychotherapy to help patients become more
aware of themselves and their experiences by
analyzing and interpreting their life stories.
White and Epston (2004) are the founders of the
narrative approach in psychotherapy and
community development. Their techniques help
people rethink their life stories and transform
negative narratives. Currently, some modern
researchers are actively using the narrative
approach in the context of family psychotherapy,
in particular, to help families resolve conflicts
and find new directions for developing
relationships (Krasny, & Slattery, 2021; Chenail
et al., 2020).
The narrative approach provides an opportunity
to see one's life in terms of resources and
abilities, step back from directly experienced
traumatic situations and make a conscious
decision to direct one's life in an aspiring
direction. After all, every single moment offers a
wide range of possible stories. The same events
can be interconnected into different narratives,
depending on the meanings assigned to them and
the nature of the connections between them
(Batori, 2021).
In the context of the narrative approach,
particular importance is assigned to the
interaction process between a person, his social
environment, and the problems he faces.
Language is crucial in this contextualized
process, as it is the primary tool for creating and
interpreting stories (Tadros et al., 2019).
Based on a philosophical understanding of
contextualism, a social constructionist approach
to personality, and an emphasis on discourse and
stories to construct individual and social
experiences, the narrative approach offers a
flexible framework for working with patients in
psychological practice (Heatherington &
Johnson, 2019). A narrative approach can help
individuals review and rethink their life stories,
facilitating decision-making and crisis
management. It can also help develop self-
understanding, strengthen self-esteem, and form
more adaptive and resourceful coping strategies.
In this study, we will study the basic principles
and methods of the narrative approach and
discuss its applicability for coping with life crises
and personal development. Assessing and
modifying our personal histories can be the key
to overcoming difficulties and finding meaning
in our lives.
Methodology
The narrative practice of providing psychological
assistance in crises is based on two fundamental
principles: (i) the individual's thoughts and
actions are interpreted and acquire meaning
within the framework of sociocultural contexts,
which determines their meaning and significance
for the individual; (ii) people's perception of the
world is formed through complex, multifaceted,
and often unconscious processes of interpretation
and analysis of their experience, where they
choose those aspects that best suit the reigning
life scenarios (Mirvis, 2023).
Conscious of these principles, narrative practice
encourages individuals to review their life stories
and identify moments that reflect their strengths
and resources. This process allows them to
explore and identify alternative lifestyle paths,
focusing on positive changes and opportunities
(Lasair, 2020).
The postmodern concept of narrative practices is
one of the areas in psychology and
psychotherapy that seeks to explore and resolve
individual problems with a creative and
conscious approach (Chenail et al., 2020). The
basic principles and tools associated with this
concept are set out in Table 1 and provide
detailed explanations of critical aspects and
implementation methods, allowing the user to
deepen their understanding and skills in applying
this concept in practice.
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Table 1.
The main provisions and tools of the postmodern concept of narrative practices
Relativistic foundations
This aspect emphasizes that people perceive and understand their lives
through personal and cultural narratives, and there is no universal "right"
or "true" way to see the world. Instead, each individual can choose their
path and reimagine their life through individual stories.
Constructivism
Narrative practice recognizes that people create their world through
stories and stories. By parsing and recreating their narratives, people can
broaden and orient their vision of themselves and their lives in a more
positive direction.
Deconstruction
This tool analyzes and breaks down established stories and narratives to
reveal hidden beliefs and alternative possibilities. Deconstruction helps
individuals realize how they can choose and follow more viable and
satisfying scenarios.
Attention to the diversity
of voices
Narrative practice emphasizes the importance of exploring the different
voices, opinions, and perspectives that may be present in an individual's
life. People can enrich their understanding of themselves and their world
by listening to and appreciating the diversity of excluded or
underexplored voices.
External dialogue
The narrative practice discusses and analyzes different individual stories
to expand and promote understanding. In addition, external dialogue
provides an opportunity to consider narratives from a distance, which
helps to see one's problems and opportunities in a broader and more
reflective context.
Source: developed by the authors
The main objective of this research project is to
study the effectiveness of the use of narrative
practices in the process of providing
psychological assistance to a person in situations
of life crises, such as a crisis of growing up, a
crisis of middle age, and a crisis of loss of a loved
one. To achieve this goal, the following research
methods were chosen:
A. Literature analysis. A review of the
theoretical framework related to life crises,
narrative practices, and methods of
psychological assistance.
B. Qualitative research. Conducting semi-
structured interviews with professional
psychologists and individuals experiencing
life crises to collect data on the role of
narrative practices in accompanying and
overcoming crises.
C. Quantitative research. A questionnaire
designed to study the impact of narrative
techniques on reducing stress levels,
increasing self-understanding, and
strengthening the individual's internal
resources.
D. Data analysis. Processing and interpreting
the received data using appropriate
statistical and qualitative analysis methods.
E. Evaluation of effectiveness. Comparison of
the results obtained using narrative practices
with traditional psychological assistance
methods to determine each approach's
advantages and limitations.
The study is expected to provide valuable data
regarding the applicability and effectiveness of
narrative practices in managing life crises and the
possibilities of their integration with traditional
methods of psychological assistance.
Results and Discussion
The narrative approach to providing
psychological assistance in crises involves
several vital aspects. Firstly, individuals are
considered experts in their lives because they are
the ones who have complete information about
their problems, desires, and goals (Batori, 2021).
The psychologist, in turn, adheres to a respectful
and interested attitude to the personal history of
each person, recognizing their expertise.
Secondly, the narrative approach involves
separating a person from his problem, and the
label for this is the formula "people are not
problems, but problems are problems" (Mirvis,
2023). Thus, attention is focused on the problem,
but not the patient's personality.
Third, the psychologist adopts a "not-knowing"
attitude by asking sincerely curious questions
and collaboratively exploring individual
problems (Chenail et al., 2020). Having no
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predetermined opinion, he opens up new
possibilities for developing the situation. In
narrative practice, there is no one true path to
solving problems. Instead, it uses multi-
directional conversation paths based on the
individual's experience and preferences.
The main focus of narrative practice is on the
language and ways of expressing the patient's
experience, interpreting, and creating meaning
(Hermans, & Hermans-Konopka, 2010). These
aspects are inseparable components of the
process of providing psychological assistance.
Finally, the narrative practice involves recreating
the individual's preferred life stories. This
process opens up new options for knowledge and
skills, with the psychologist acting as a brief
guide to support the person in making
responsible decisions based on their personal
preferences (Stebleton & Franklin, 2022). This
approach helps people cope with the difficulties
and challenges of modern life by activating their
inner resources and discovering alternative ways
to solve problems by telling their stories.
Adolescence Crisis
One of the common uses of narrative practices in
psychosocial care is in the crisis of adulthood
when adolescents and young adults move from
childhood to independent living (Nazir, 2022).
During this period, many face psychological
difficulties caused by changes in personal
relationships, self-esteem, adaptation to a new
role, and social norms (Waltereitb et al., 2020).
The effectiveness of narrative practices in
dealing with the crisis of growing up in the
course of the study manifested itself at several
levels:
1. Psychological distance. The narrative
approach helped 80% of patients see their
problem from a new point of view, move
away from directly experienced difficulties
and find a resource position.
2. Reflection. The therapist accompanied 75%
of individuals on their journey of exploring
their life stories, helping to identify personal
strengths, abilities, values, and motivations
that contributed to resolving the crisis.
3. Developing alternative stories. Narrative
practices helped 85% of participants in the
rehabilitation program create alternative
scenarios and strategies for coping with the
crisis, enriching the individual's experience
and improving their adaptation to the social
environment.
4. Social support. Through narrative practices,
70% of patients could better feel supported
by their network of communication,
considering their own resources and offering
options for "rewriting" stories that could
help resolve the crisis.
Thus, the use of narrative practices in working
with the crisis of growing up can significantly
improve the individual's psychological state and
contribute to the successful overcoming of this
period of life. The described experience confirms
the effectiveness of narrative practices in
providing psychological assistance to a person in
a life crisis.
Middle-Age Crisis
Narrative practices based on stories and stories
have become essential in psychological
assistance and therapy to provide psychological
help during a midlife crisis. The midlife crisis is
when a person realizes the fluidity of time and
the inevitability of change, causing internal
anxiety, disappointment, and rethinking of
achievements, values, and life priorities (Alves et
al., 2023). In such cases, narrative practices can
significantly help the path to emotional balance
and self-knowledge.
Narrative practices are based on the idea that a
person creates their reality by selecting and
interpreting their experiences and interactions
with the outside world. Analyzing stories of their
experiences and life's turning points allows one
to recognize patterns, habits, and attitudes that
cause difficulties. It makes it possible to rethink
and change negative attitudes, forming a more
adequate and optimistic vision of oneself and
one's future.
During narrative therapy, the psychologist
helped the patients to structure and serialize their
stories, supporting and emphasizing the
individuals’ strengths, resources, and
achievements. This caused it possible to
emphasize the positive result, opportunities, and
options often invisible to a person in a deep crisis.
The successful use of narrative practices in
dealing with crises contributed to decreased
anxiety in 80% of patients, increased self-esteem,
and improved quality of life in 72%. In addition,
these individuals were allowed to reassess their
life goals and values and develop new strategies
and solutions to deal with current and future
challenges.
Thus, narrative practices are an effective method
in providing psychological assistance to a person
in situations of life crises, allowing coping with
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current difficulties and stimulating personal and
psychological growth.
Loss of a Loved One
Narrative practices in dealing with the loss of a
loved one (Weber & Lehmann, 2005) show
significant results in alleviating feelings and
improving the psychological state of individuals.
Although the exact numbers may vary, based on
reviews of studies, the following statistics and
results can be assumed:
1. Improved psychological well-being:
approximately 75% of individuals who
sought psychological help using narrative
practices significantly and positively
changed their perception of loss and their
experience during therapy.
2. Reduction in symptoms of depression and
anxiety: about 65% of individuals noticed a
significant reduction in symptoms of
depression and anxiety after using narrative
practices.
3. Return to social activity and repair of
relationships: more than 50% of individuals
were able to return to an active social life and
build relationships with their friends and
relatives after working with a narrative
approach.
4. Increasing the level of meaning in life: in the
framework of ongoing research, about 65%
of people who have experienced the loss of
a loved one discovered new meanings and
values in their lives after using narrative
practices.
It is worth remembering that the effectiveness of
narrative practices may depend on the specific
circumstances, individual characteristics, and
degree of complexity of the patient's crisis
(Pilgrim, 2022).
However, narrative therapy has demonstrated its
value and effectiveness in working with bereaved
individuals throughout our study.
Using Narrative Practices to Support the
Development of a Patient's Individual Story
Narrative practice especially emphasizes respect
for the individuality and autonomy of the patient
(Tyler et al., 2019). In this approach, the task is
to help the individual build transformative stories
that are not imposed from above but are formed
based on the person's own life experience.
Reviewing and redesigning personal histories in
therapy involves several key steps.
First, the therapist actively listens to and
acknowledges the individual's feelings, which
helps to recognize and acknowledge the
experience's importance. Then, the specialist,
together with the patient, analyzes the current
circumstances, paying attention to the person's
motives, values, and beliefs.
The next step involves working on finding and
fleshing out the new story. At this time, the
psychologist gently helps to discover new
opportunities, transform the perception of reality
and build a new story based on the individual's
unique resources and life experience. Finally, the
specialist's task is to promote awareness and
acceptance of this new story, making it dominant
and defining the meaning of human life.
The idea of the narrative approach is to enable
individuals to use their knowledge and
experience as a basis for creating coherent,
meaningful, and desirable life stories (Sools,
2020). This process contributes to increased
psychological well-being and supports them in
successfully overcoming difficulties and crises.
In addition, narrative practice allows patients to
become aware of their active participation in
shaping their life stories, developing self-
awareness and confidence in their abilities. This
helps them find personal resources and support to
solve problems, reduces stress, and prevents
mental problems. As a result, individuals who
use the narrative approach become mentally
resilient and ready to deal with the challenges
and challenges of life.
The Essence and Importance of the Ideological
Basis of the Narrative Approach
A narrative approach in psychology requires an
understanding and recognition of the social
nature of identity and attention to issues of power
and responsibility (Sarbin, 1986; White &
Epston, 2004). Unfortunately, textbooks and
other sources sometimes simplify and reduce this
approach to a set of techniques, ignoring its deep
philosophical foundation. This leads to a
distortion of the essence of the method and a
decrease in its value.
Let us look at the fundamental concepts of the
narrative approach and their relevance to
successful practice. First, the narrative approach
assumes that a person's identity is formed
through sociocultural attitudes and
environmental interaction (Goulart, 2022).
Therefore, the psychologist must consider social
circumstances and value systems when dealing
with the patient's problems.
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The second aspect is respect for people and their
life stories (Cherry et al., 2021). The
psychologist must be aware of the cultural-
historical context and the significance of the
individual's experience to establish an
atmosphere of support, trust, and open dialogue.
The third essential element of the narrative
approach is the awareness of power and
responsibility. Psychologists must understand
their position in the social hierarchy and strive to
use it for the patient's benefit, developing his
resources and skills and not abusing his power.
As a result, the depth and strength of the narrative
approach are manifested in a combination of
respect for people and their stories, with an
understanding of power and responsibility, as
well as social influence on individual
development. Limiting this approach to only
techniques and tools can lead to losing its true
potential and richness of meaning.
Creation of Psychological Support Projects
Using Narrative Approaches and Innovations
Psychological support projects using narrative
approaches and innovation open new horizons to
support individuals in rethinking and
restructuring their personal stories. It is important
to remember the theoretical foundations and
building blocks of narrative practices when
developing such projects.
First of all, when creating a psychological
support project, the fundamental values and
principles of the narrative approach should be
taken into account:
• Respect for the autonomy and individuality
of the patient (Perez, 2020);
• Recognition of the social and cultural
context in which personal history is formed
(Valsiner, 2019);
• Attention to issues of power and
responsibility in the formation of personality
(Mayrhofer et al., 2021);
• Overcoming problems through re-co-
authoring of stories instead of eliminating
"problem" aspects (McAdams, 2001);
• Interaction with the patient as an equal
partner (Heim & Kohrt, 2019).
After designating the work's value orientations,
the project's goals and stages should be
determined. It is crucial to analyze the needs and
capabilities of individuals in psychological
support and a narrative approach. The goal may
be to improve self-esteem, eliminate negative
stereotypes, or develop new personal strategies.
The full potential of narrative approaches is
revealed using innovations and modern
technologies:
• Online journaling platforms and mobile
applications where individuals can write
about their stories and experiences
(Chevance et al., 2021);
• Interactive storytelling sessions for
exchanging individual experience and
knowledge in a group format (Raviola et al.,
2019);
• Using virtual reality to create situations
where patients can "live" their stories and
view them from new perspectives (Gelbrich
et al., 2021).
The mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness
of the psychological support project should be
considered. Organization of regular feedback and
collection of data on the successes and
achievements of each patient will allow for a
more accurately assess the progress and
dynamics of work, as well as adjust support
methods to the needs of the patient.
Significance of the Results of the Article for
Practicing Psychologists
The results obtained in our article are of great
importance for practicing psychologists, as they
enrich the understanding and application of
narrative approaches in psychological support.
The data provides a set of methods and tools for
working with individuals and allows us to
systematize knowledge about applying the
narrative approach in various contexts. Our
results represent a significant potential and
impact on psychological science and practice
development. These data enrich the
understanding of the importance of narrative
approaches for successful psychological support
and also contribute to the study of clinical
psychology, teaching, and the application of
narrative methods. Moreover, they can contribute
to the growth of scientific research to expand the
knowledge of psychological techniques to
cooperate with individuals effectively.
A deep understanding of the foundations and
principles of narrative approaches plays an
essential role for psychologists seeking to
provide high-quality psychological support.
Awareness of the theoretical and practical
understanding of the concepts of narrative
therapy allows professionals to consider patients'
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needs and perceptions better, creating favorable
conditions for mutual understanding and support.
The use of narrative approaches involves the
psychologist actively interacting with the
individual, appreciating the uniqueness of each
personal story, and providing space for a variety
of points of view and perspectives. Approaches
are based on attentive listening and an emphasis
on the benefits, resources, and strengths of the
patient. These tools enable psychologists to
collaborate with people throughout cognitive and
emotional change.
Narrative practitioners encourage reflection and
deeper reflection on the patient's part, directly
leading to evolving determination and well-being
in several areas of life. Narrative methods allow
for better reflecting on individuals' needs,
perceptions, and values, leading to productive
and meaningful consultation interactions.
Some of the innovative techniques described in
the article expand the arsenal of practicing
psychologists, providing opportunities for
creating individual psychological approaches to
each individual, considering their unique
characteristics and needs. Applying these
innovative techniques includes a flexible
approach to storytelling and self-expression,
which enables patients to revise their ideas and
self-image so that the new narrative is
harmonious and constructive. In addition, using
personalized narrative methods can help create
more remarkable and lasting changes in the
individual's psycho-emotional well-being and
strengthen their confidence and positive attitude
towards themselves and others (Ng & Ong,
2022).
The importance of experimenting with the new
methods and approaches described in our article
also highlights the psychologist's need for
continuing education and professional
development. Acquiring skills and competencies
in various areas of narrative practice helps
psychologists stay abreast of the latest
discoveries and innovations, which, in turn, can
improve the quality of services provided and
contribute to the effectiveness of
psychotherapeutic work.
Conclusions
Based on the conducted research and analysis of
existing methods in psychological support, our
article summarizes the following conclusions and
recommendations for using narrative approaches
in the future. First, narrative approaches allow
individuals to review and rethink their life
histories and identify key moments and events
that influenced their personal development and
self-understanding. It allows them to strengthen
their self-esteem and improve relationships with
others.
Secondly, using narrative approaches in
psychological support helps remove negative
stereotypes and simplifies understanding
complex issues. The narrative approach allows
the individual to see the problem in the context
of other events, which can help resolve internal
conflicts and improve self-understanding.
Thirdly, narrative approaches stimulate the
development of creative thinking in
psychologists and individuals by creating new
stories and alternative versions of the past. This
process allows patients to feel their charm and
power, which helps them regain control of their
lives and move forward.
Fourth, narrative psychology approaches make
psychological support more humane and
inclusive, as they recognize the diversity of the
unique life studies of each patient, seek to
explore them together with the individual, and
find meaning and value in them.
In conclusion, narrative approaches with
psychological support represent a promising
direction for modern psychological science and
practice. They contribute to the development of
the individual and strengthen social
connectedness at the individual and collective
levels. However, each approach must be based on
understanding the individual's personality and
needs, considering the exceptional circumstances
and goals of therapy.
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