Weaving Tapestries of Healing through Storytelling: A relationship between Creativity and Wellness

By Nthabiseng Shongwe

At the crossroads of creativity and wellness, a remarkable force intertwines them both: narratives. They possess an extraordinary ability to touch our souls, shape our perspectives, and forge profound connections. From ancient folklore to personal anecdotes, narratives hold a mesmerising sway over our emotions, transcending barriers of language and experience. Within the sacred confines of therapeutic spaces, narratives emerge as potent instruments of healing, granting solace, understanding, and personal revelation. Stories matter, they always have.

Throughout life, there are moments, relationships, and events that remain pure and uninfluenced by the traumas people go through, and by listening carefully to the nuances in stories where courage, hope, and evidence of perseverance occur, practitioners help clients to rewrite the negative story that dominates their life. They can begin to see that “no problem (trauma, addiction, or mental health affliction) has complete influence over [their] life”.

To explore the meaning of various stories in the lives of individuals, and their influence on the therapeutic journey toward healing, narrative therapy seeks to be “a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling and community work, which centers people as the experts in their own lives”. The foundational belief of narrative therapy is that the story a person tells about their life influences how they view their experiences and overall well-being, and thus, engage or disengage with other people and the society around them based on this perspective.

To answer the age-old philosophical question about our individual purposes, the Big “Why?”, humanity has found itself looking for new and creative ways to solve problems, innovate technologies, to connect within a community, and heal.

In his book 'The Street Sweeper', Elliot Perlman (2011), beautifully writes what could be a most human insight into the centrality (and power) of stories in communities, and how people undertake to find and make meaning of their lives, Perlman (2011) writes:

“Wouldn't you want someone to tell your story? Ultimately, it's the best proof there is that we mattered. And what else is life from the time you were born but a struggle to matter, at least to someone?”

In many ways, it is as if we are always embarking on an enlightening exploration of the remarkable healing power of narratives, from the battles of 'Good vs Evil', to the journey of villain to hero. At the same time, we continue to return to tales in history to unearth the importance of uncovering one's purpose within the realm of wellness. Increasingly, this questioning of purpose remains at the core of an entire healthcare and wellness industry. That is, for those who seek knowledge and implement learned practices to serve others, understanding why people are unwell and what can be done to address, manage, or even cure dis-ease and illness in the most holistic way possible.

In studies exploring the effectiveness of narrative therapeutic practices in the treatment and support of mental health, narrative therapy is shown to be an effective therapeutic practice for the support of posttraumatic stress disorder symptom reduction.

The paper, 'Expressive Writing: Words that Heal' by Pennebaker, J.W. (2014), provides research results, in layman's terms, which demonstrate how and when expressive writing can improve health and healing journeys. It also explains why writing can often be more helpful than talking when dealing with trauma. The book looks at the most serious challenges people face within their societal constructs, and how expressive writing can help the reader process their experiences with suggested techniques and ways to analyse their written stories - creativity and wellness weaved together again.

Pennebaker's (2014) book supports narrative therapy's beliefs and assumptions about the therapeutic process. It highlights that, on a deeply personal level, healing insights unfold in the unpacking of a story. Further, personal agency is returned to a (“paralysed”) client by asking questio ns that expose, deconstruct, and disempower domi nant trauma a nd fear discourses such as, “What are the thoughts that keep you up at night?”. He goes on to say that, “…the emotional upheaval bothering you the most and keeping you awake at night is a good place to start writing

Accountability and Responsibility in Honouring Client Stories: Implications of Narrative Therapy

The use of narrative therapy in healthcare has several implications. Engaging clients as experts in their own illness experience facilitates a sense of control over the different ways that they choose to draw on support, and cope with their illness-related challenges.

Some of the implications are as follows:

Complementing objective, scientific data: The role of subjective client narratives in healthcare represents a clinical and therapeutic tool, useful in complementing objective, scientific data.

Separating the person from the problem: Narrative therapy helps to separate the person from the problem and empowers the person to rely on their own skills to minimise problems that exist in their lives.

Teaching alternative stories: Narrative therapy aims to teach the person to view alternative stories and address their issues in a more productive way.

Useful for couples or families: Narrative therapy can be used with individuals but can also prove useful for couples or families.

Creating opportunities for externalising conversations: A major way narrative therapy combats the effects of life-limiting stories is through externalising conversations. These conversations create opportunities for clients to view their problems from a different perspective and to re-author their life stories.

As guardians of health and well-being, it becomes essential for practitioners to delve deep into the essence of personal motivations, to unearth the "why" that fuels their dedication to the work of healing. Beyond simple goals and aspirations, this inquiry necessitates an intimate exploration of individual healing odysseys, the bedrock of beliefs and values.

By understanding their own purpose, practitioners begin on a profound path to become attuned to and align with a client's needs. Through empathic understanding, the therapist meets the client at the crossroads of their unique narratives, nurturing an atmosphere of trust and safety within the therapeutic space.

Within the safe haven of the therapeutic context and the sharing of personal stories, practitioners invite clients into a realm of shared vulnerability, igniting a potent connection. Here, clients can fully immerse themselves in their own narratives, unravelling hidden truths, and finding new ways to affirm meaningful experiences outside of their trauma and pain

Practitioners armed with a resolute sense of purpose construct a narrative framework that transcends superficial resolutions and 'quick fixes' along the healing path. This holistic approach addresses the multidimensional aspects of well-being, fostering transformative experiences and nurturing personal growth.

The healing potential of narratives in therapeutic settings is a profound and inspiring force, blending storytelling's artistry and creativity with the essence of well-being. Embracing our purpose unlocks incredible opportunities for integrative healing, benefiting both practitioners and clients. As the wellness industry evolves, it undergoes continuous transformation through its connection to established practices, creativity, and the deeper insights gained from healthcare and client therapy. Therefore, all wellness professionals must recognise the significance of narratives in individual healing, enabling the realisation of purpose and the embodiment of new ways of living.

The expanding research on the pivotal role of stories in people's lives will increasingly shape the therapeutic landscape. The challenge to embrace creativity and curiosity will enhance the creation and maintenance of spaces that actively listen to and acknowledge illness narratives. This, in turn, will reshape how individuals perceive and engage in their most personal relationships and interactions within their professional and public lives, signalling a new era of agency and its impact on clients for years to come.