Narrative-based Life Story Work

Helping young people understand their story and build a positive view of themselves

Hi, my name's Gillian Shotton, Educational Psychologist and author of 'A Session by Session guide to Life Story Work'.
This website will tell you more about Narrative-based life story work and give you details of the training that we offer on this approach to help you feel really skilled and confident in using it.

Life story work helps people to talk and learn about their life experiences with the help of a facilitator. It allows them to develop a more coherent narrative about their life. For young people in care it can help them to understand more about the reasons for them coming into care or for changes of placement. Using a Narrative-based approach to life story work, the past is acknowledged but there is an emphasis on how the young person has responded to those difficult times. It emphasises the resilience they have shown as well as helping them develop a greater appreciation of people who are currently in their lives. It not only looks to the past but also helps them to start to develop a greater appreciation of who they are now, their strengths, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

If you'd like to learn more about my journey in developing this approach you can listen to the Agents of Hope podcast I did with Tim Cox in October 2021:
https://agentsofhope.buzzsprout.com/993319/9300798

Bit of a warning, it is quite long, so you might want to listen over a few sessions or car journeys.

This clip tells you about the training we offer on using Narrative-based Life Story Work.

Our next one day introduction to Narrative Life Story Work is on 6th September 2024 at the BPS offices in London, 30 Tabernacle Street London EC2A 4UE, 9.30-4pm.

To book please use this link to Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/narrative-based-life-story-work-training-tickets-880195998927?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

The training includes a free copy of my book, 'A session by session guide to life story work'.
Lunch and refreshments are provided.

Access to further resources, support and ideas also come as part of the course.

Scroll down to find out what people have said about the course.

gillianshotton@gmail.com

I have a number of young people who I need to complete life story work with, so the training and the resources were invaluable.
Social Worker

Very well presented. I now feel much more confident carrying out life story. The book will be invaluable to plan my sessions for life story work.
Social Worker

I feel inspired to get going with this work.
Social Worker

Incredibly useful and motivating!
Educational Psychologist

Amazing course, I have learnt so much.
Educational Psychologist

Really enjoyed the training. I can't wait to start using this with our young people. This approach is going to be so influential to helping them with their future.
Children's home manager

I feel much more confident to deliver life story work with young people.
Social Worker

The course has given me some great new ideas that will really engage the young people I work with.
Residential Carer

This course has improved my practice and reduced my anxiety about what to say.
Social Worker

I now feel confident in carrying out life story work.
Social Worker

I appreciated the time and space to explore using the approach as well as the time to connect with others.
Educational Psychologist

Lots of practical examples helped me to see how to apply the approach.
Youth worker

I now feel confident to start the life story work with my link child.
Residential Carer

Great to have a structure and a plan to follow.
Residential carer

Gave me an understanding of how to use a narrative approach in trauma informed work.
Social worker

I found the activities very useful and think some of these would be good to use in direct work with young people that isn't life story work as well.
Social Worker

Really enjoyed the content and your approach to the training
Independent social worker and psychotherapist

Gave me confidence I could deliver a piece of work like this.
Educational Psychologist

Thank you. My hopes were to learn but also to be met with facilitators who valued kindness, compassion, respect and playfulness. Thanks for bringing all of these! I'll be using this right away.
Educational Psychologist

Very engaging, delivered at a good pace. I now feel more confident using the tree of life as part of life story work. I can't wait to try out new activities and ideas.
Educational Psychologist

The who's on your team activity is great. Will definitely be using this! Such an inspiring and refreshing day with other professionals in the field. Thank you
Educational Psychologist

I appreciated the process and I really like the creative ideas that support this. I will be adding these to my toolbox. Thank you
Educational Psychologist

A very empowering approach. The possibility of changing the dominant story the child is telling themselves and how important it is for them to make sense of their lives.
Educational Psychologist

Feeling enthused about life story work using this approach!
Social worker

gillianshotton@gmail.com

Narrative-based Life Story Work

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About Narrative-based Life Story Work

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what people have said about the course

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