Narrative Therapy in Calgary | Rewriting the Stories That Shape You
Rewriting the Stories That Shape Identity, Meaning & Self-Worth
Everyone carries quiet internal stories—beliefs about who they are, how they “should” be, and what they can expect from the world. Some of these stories support you. Others weigh heavily, even if you don’t notice them at first.
Narrative therapy helps you step back and look at these stories with clarity so you can choose which ones still belong in your life.
At NU Psychology, you’ll work with a psychologist who specializes in narrative therapy in Calgary, helping adults and teens make sense of their experiences and move forward with more intention and self-understanding.
Your story isn’t fixed. You get to decide which parts guide your future.
What Is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy is a collaborative, reflective approach that explores:
The stories you’ve learned about yourself
Where those stories came from
How they’ve influenced your choices and relationships
Which parts feel outdated, heavy, or limiting
Unlike more structured therapies, narrative therapy separates you from the problem. Instead of “I am the problem,” it becomes:
“This problem developed in a specific story—and stories can evolve.”
It’s a gentle, meaning-centered approach, especially helpful for people who want to understand the “why” behind their patterns.
How Narrative Therapy Helps Teens & Adults
Narrative therapy supports you in:
Reframing old beliefs that no longer fit
Softening self-criticism and shame
Making sense of identity shifts
Clarifying values and life direction
Understanding the impact of earlier experiences
Creating new language for your inner world
Breaking patterns shaped by past stories
Many clients choose narrative therapy when they feel disconnected, stuck, or unsure how to move forward.
Issues Narrative Therapy Supports
Narrative therapy can help with:
Identity confusion
Perfectionism
Shame or harsh self-judgment
Family-of-origin wounds
Grief, transitions, or endings
Emotional fatigue
Cultural or generational expectations
Over functioning or people-pleasing
The NU Process: Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is conversational, thoughtful, and paced gently.
A typical session might include:
1. A Meaningful Check-In
We explore what stood out emotionally, relationally, or internally this week.
2. Exploring Stories & Beliefs
We look at where a belief came from, why it stuck, and what it’s been protecting.
3. Re-Authoring Your Narrative
Together, we identify alternative interpretations, values, and strengths that have been overlooked.
4. Integrating New Patterns
You may use:
Values-based decisions (ACT)
Emotional insight (IFS)
Grounding or clarity tools (CBT) (DBT skills)
Trauma support (EMDR, when needed)
Narrative therapy blends naturally with other modalities while staying rooted in meaning and self-understanding.
Serving Calgary’s Inner Southwest & Beyond
NU Psychology is located in Killarney, Calgary, easy to reach from:
Aspen Woods · West Springs · Cougar Ridge · Discovery Ridge · Springbank · Signal Hill · Strathcona · Mount Royal · Altadore · Bankview · Glendale · Westgate · Wildwood · Hillhurst · Sunalta · Lakeview
We also offer online Narrative Therapy across Alberta, making care accessible wherever you are.
Is Narrative Therapy the Right Fit for You?
Narrative therapy may be a good match if you want:
Emotional insight
Clarity about identity
A gentle, reflective approach
Less internal pressure
Deeper meaning behind your patterns
A blend of reflection and forward movement
Narrative therapy pairs well with EMDR, IFS, ACT, and CBT depending on your goals..
You deserve a story that supports your life—not one that holds you back.
Start Narrative Therapy in Calgary
If you’re ready to understand your story more deeply—and create new meaning that aligns with who you’re becoming—narrative therapy can help.
Book online, call, or email to get matched with a psychologist who specializes in Narrative Therapy in Calgary.
📍 2005 – 37 St SW, Unit #4, Calgary
📞 403-217-4686
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not necessarily. Narrative therapy explores past experiences only to understand how old beliefs formed. The focus is on the meaning you’ve placed on those experiences and how to reshape those meanings so they support your life now.
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No. Narrative therapy is paced gently and collaboratively. You don’t have to revisit anything before you’re ready, and you stay in control of what you want to explore.
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Yes. Many symptoms of anxiety or depression are influenced by internal stories about worth, capability, identity, or pressure. Narrative therapy helps shift these stories so emotional patterns can change.
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Narrative therapy focuses on meaning and identity—why certain patterns developed and how you interpret your experiences. CBT is more structured (thought patterns), DBT focuses on skills (emotion regulation). Narrative therapy complements both, especially when you want deeper context and clarity.
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Not at all. Your psychologist helps you explore your experiences in a way that feels natural and conversational. There’s no pressure to speak perfectly or share your whole story at once.
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Yes. Narrative therapy is especially supportive during transitions—career changes, relationship changes, identity shifts, or grief—because it helps you make sense of who you are becoming.
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Yes. We offer online narrative therapy across Alberta for clients who prefer virtual support or need flexible scheduling.