Re-Authoring
Artwork Interpretation
This image shows a figure holding a large quill, writing on an open page. To the left, a storm brews with lightning and crashing waves. To the right, the sun rises over peaceful mountains. The contrast reflects the power of personal narrative—the ability to re-author one's story toward healing, hope, and clarity. The figure stands between chaos and calm, symbolizing agency in choosing which narrative to live by.
Core Meaning
Re-authoring is the therapeutic practice of helping clients reframe and revise dominant life stories that have been shaped by trauma, culture, or internalized beliefs. It empowers individuals to identify strengths, challenge problem-saturated narratives, and create more hopeful, identity-affirming alternatives.
Concept Origins
Re-authoring originates from Narrative Therapy, pioneered by Michael White and David Epston. The approach is rooted in postmodern, social constructionist thought, emphasizing that identity is shaped through language, relationships, and the stories we tell about ourselves.
Therapeutic Purpose
Re-authoring helps clients step outside of problem-dominated stories and reconnect with preferred aspects of themselves. Through collaborative conversation, they identify empowering plots, values, and forgotten moments of strength to construct a more authentic identity narrative.
Common Interventions
- Identifying problem-saturated narratives
- Thickening preferred stories
- Letter writing and narrative journaling
- Exploring unique outcomes and hidden strengths
- Externalizing the problem to reduce shame
Ideal Client Use
Re-authoring is ideal for clients struggling with identity, shame, or internalized messages from trauma, culture, or family systems. It’s particularly useful in work with survivors of abuse, marginalized communities, and individuals navigating life transitions or grief.
Cultural Considerations
Therapists should be aware of how societal power structures, generational narratives, and cultural beliefs shape client identities. Culturally sensitive re-authoring amplifies resilience stories that have been overlooked and honors community-based definitions of strength and meaning.
