Abstract
A review of the literature reveals that one particular form of contemplation—mindfulness—has been integrated into cognitive-behavioral therapy. Built upon this background, this article raises the issue of combining contemplation and narrative therapy. It first examines the unique experiences that occur when one enters into silence. Then, it explores the implications of these experiences for narrative therapy. A contemplative-based approach to narrative therapy differs from traditional narrative therapy in that it utilizes: (a) contemplative skills, (b) contemplative and narrative metaphors, (c) modified interventions, and (d) broader views of reality and self. The outcome is an enlarged narrative approaches that possess numerous benefits and possibilities for future treatment models.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, H. (1994). The recovery of soul. In B. H. Childs & D. W. Waanders (Eds.), The treasure of earthen vessels (pp. 208–223). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
Anderson, H. (1997). Conversations, language, and possibilities: A postmodern approach to therapy. New York: BasicBooks.
Aponte, H. J. (2002). Spirituality: The heart of therapy. In T. Carlson & M. Erickson (Eds.), Spirituality and family therapy (pp. 13–27). New York: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Baer, R. A., & Krietemeyer, J. (2006). Overview of mindfulness- and acceptance-based treatment approaches. In R. A. Baer (Ed.), Mindfulness-based treatment approaches (pp. 3–27). New York: Academic Press.
Barsness, R. (2006). Surrender and transcendence in the therapeutic encounter. Journal of Psychology & Christianity, 25, 44–53.
Becvar, D. S. (1997). Soul healing. New York: BasicBooks.
Becvar, D. S. (2007). Families that flourish. New York: W.W.Norton & Co.
Bourgeault, C. (2004). Centering prayer and inner awakening. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications.
Carlson, T. D., Erickson, M. J., & Seewald-Marquardt, A. (2002). The spiritualities of therapists’ lives: Using therapists’ spiritual beliefs as a resource for relational ethics. In T. Carlson & M. Erickson (Eds.), Spirituality and family therapy (pp. 215–236). New York: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Combs, G., & Freedman, J. (2004). The poststructuralist approach to narrative work. In L. E. Angus & J. McLeod (Eds.), The handbook of narrative and psychotherapy practice, theory, and research. (pp. 137–155). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Drewery, W., & Winslade, J. (1997). The theoretical story of narrative therapy. In G. Monk, J. Winslade, K. Crocket, & D. Epston (Eds.), Narrative therapy in practice: The archaeology of hope (pp. 32–52). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Freedman, J., & Combs, G. (1996). Narrative therapy: The social construction of preferred realities. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Gergen, K. J. (1994). Realities and relationships: Soundings in social construction. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Germer, C. K. (2005). Mindfulness: What is it? What does it matter? In C. K. Germer, R. D. Siegel, & P. R. Fulton (Eds.), Mindfulness and psychotherapy (pp. 3–27). New York: The Guilford Press.
Germer, C. K. (2006). You gotta have heart. Psychotherapy Networker, 54–59, 65, January/February.
Griffith, J. L., & Griffith, M. E. (2002). Encountering the sacred in psychotherapy. New York: The Guilford Press.
Hamer, D. (2004). The God gene: How faith is hardwired into our genes. New York: Doubleday.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Bunting, K., Twohig, M., & Wilson, K. G. (2004). What is acceptance and commitment therapy. In S. C. Hayes & K. D. Strosahl (Eds.), A practical guide to acceptance and commitment therapy (pp. 3–29). New York: Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
Hoyt, M. F., & Combs, G. (1996). On ethics and the spiritualities of the surface: A conversation with Michael White. In M. F. Hoyt (Ed.), Constructive therapies: Vol. 2 (pp. 33–59). New York: The Guilford Press.
James, W. (2004). The varieties of religious experience. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc. (Original work published in 1902).
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living. New York: Dell Publishing.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion.
Leary, M. R. (2004). The curse of the self. New York: Oxford University Press.
Linehan, M. M. (1993a). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press.
Linehan, M. M. (1993b). Skills training manual for treating borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press.
Long, E. (1999). Quest for transcendence. International Journal of Philosophy, 45, 51–65.
May, G. G. (1992). Care of mind, care of spirit. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
McLeod, J. (2004). The significance of narrative and storytelling in postpsychological counseling, psychotherapy. In A. Lieblich, D. McAdams, & R. Josselson (Eds.), Healing plots (pp. 11–27). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Miller, W. (1999). Integrating spirituality into treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Newberg, A., d’Aquili, E., & Rause, V. (2001). Why God won’t go away: Brain science and the biology of belief. New York: Ballantine Books.
Nichols, M. P., & Schwartz, R. C. (2006). Family therapy: Concepts and methods (7th ed.). New York: Allyn and Bacon.
Payne, M. (2006). Narrative therapy (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Polkinghorne, D. E. (2004). Narrative therapy and postmodernism. In L. E. Angus, & J. McLeod (Eds.), The handbook of narrative and psychotherapy practice, theory, and research (pp. 53–67). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Schwartz, R. C. (1999). Releasing the soul: Psychotherapy as a spiritual practice. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Spiritual resources in family therapy (pp. 223–239). New York: The Guilford Press.
Siegel, D. J. (2007). The mindful brain. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Walsh, F. (1999). Opening family therapy to spirituality. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Spiritual resources in family therapy (pp. 28–58). New York: The Guilford Press.
White, M. (1997). Narratives of therapists’ lives. Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.
Wright, L. M., Watson, W. L., & Bell, J. M. (1996). Beliefs: The heart of healing in families and illness. New York: Basic Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
P. Gregg Blanton is a Professor of Human Services at Montreat College. He is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of AAMFT.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gregg Blanton, P. Adding Silence to Stories: Narrative Therapy and Contemplation. Contemp Fam Ther 29, 211–221 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-007-9047-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-007-9047-x