What is the theory behind this Narrative therapy externalizing worksheet?

In narrative therapy clients reframe their problems and form a new narrative about them. This therapy provides them with a different perspective and clients are able to have greater insight into their issues and deal with them effectively without getting overwhelmed.

How will the worksheet help?    

This worksheet will help clients to separate themselves from their problems. The aim of externalizing practices is to make clients realize that they and their problem are not the same thing.

How to use this worksheet?

State what you are feeling in the given space. Then give this feeling a humorous name (for example, Count LONELINESS  or Mr McFEARman etc). Then write all the negative thoughts, actions and emotions that this feeling makes you experience (for example, Mr McFEARman makes me think I am weak to handle socialization).

Narrative therapy externalizing worksheet

What are you feeling?

Name this feeling

Since this feeling is not a part of you rather something outside of you, what does it tell you and make you do

References 

Denborough, D. (2014). Retelling the stories of our lives: Everyday narrative therapy to draw inspiration and transform experience. W.W. Norton & Company.

You can download this worksheet here.