Thanks so much for your encouragement. Sarah and other women I’ve met with similar responses to violence inspire me.

Hi Geoff,
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate knowing this work might be part of the antidote to a system which can often lead to victim blaming and shaming. I agree that much of the work in mainstream services is done by people with good intentions. My passion is around making visible the social, cultural and political influences on the life of problems, so I’m really pleased this stood out to you. All the best with your study. I hope these ideas support you when you work with people like Sarah, who are up against such strong forces.

Your presentation was inspiring.

I’m still a student in mental health and I find your work a great antidote to the predominant “diagnose and treat” model which, while often well intentioned, to my mind, inevitably leads to “victim blaming and shaming”, rather than to its social, cultural and political roots.

Cheers

Isn’t it a thing of beauty when violence is met with an informed but non-violent response? Yes indeed!

Thank you for sharing this account of Sarah’s therapeutic journey, and thank you for the narrative focus and information. I am new to Narrative Therapy and am thrilled at what I am finding. This work is so affirming and supportive and compassionate.

Kind regards,
Brie-Ana Laboucane

Hi Nell,

While the context is very different, you may be interested in this article:

Marlowe, J. (2010). Using a narrative approach of double-listening in research contexts. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (3), 41-51.

Jay’s work relates to the experience of refugees but the ideas in relation to research might be relevant.

Warmly,
David Denborough

Hi Diane, Thanks so much for responding. I really appreciate that these ideas make sense to you – thinking about the context of women’s lives helps me make sense of how they have arrived at such a place as homelessness or further relationships of violence. Abuse and systemic injustice have such an impact. I’m glad that you have hope about the future for the women you meet with, and for your work together. Despite the intentions that abuse has for people’s lives, reclaiming a strong and positive sense of identity is possible!

Hi Elaine, I’m so pleased that this video has given you some ideas of ways to hold both of these values – a sense of justice, and wanting to centre your clients’ stories. I love that we have a shared passion for justice. It is great to know you are out there, just across the ocean. All the best with your studies!

Thanks for responding. I too am interested in how these ideas may be utilised when conducting research. I gave it a bit of thought last year, and wondered whether small group interviews highlighting acts of resistance and reclaiming might help reduce a sense of isolation and shame, and celebrate ways people are more than just surviving. I also had some thoughts about in-session questions to assess the effectiveness of this type of counselling. I’d be interested to hear where you get to with your research ideas.

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks so much for your comments. I love that you are being an agent of change with the families you meet through your work, and also with your colleagues. Thanks for playing my video to your team. I hope they too find something that resonates with their hopes for the work. Perhaps you will find that others also share some of your values and ethics, and hopefully it will raise an opportunity to keep these conversations alive.

I think it would make a big difference to a parent in the child protection system to have someone like you, who has empathy and compassion, and sees beyond the labels.