NET
Narrative Exposure Therapy
The aim of NET is to put traumatic experiences into context.
I will help you to create and express a clear narrative of your life, concentrating mainly on your traumatic events but also incorporating positive events.
This will help you to fill in details of patchy memories. In doing so, traumatic memories are refined and understood.
Reflecting on the narrative of your life can help you understand when specific thinking and behavioural patters first emerged, which can cultivate a feeling of personal identity.
NET incorporates the theory of dual representation of traumatic memories, which hypothesises that a client’s autobiographical memory is divided into two categories: “hot” and “cold” memories. “Hot” memories refer to emotional and sensory moments, while “cold” memories tend to be more structured and logical. For example, a “hot” memory might be pain, fear, and bright lights, while a “cold” memory associated with the same event could be, “I was in tremendous pain while in the hospital for emergency surgery last week.”
NET explicitly focuses on recognising and creating an account or testament of what happened, in a way that serves to recapture your self-respect and acknowledge your human rights.
What is NET
NET treatment helps individuals establish a coherent life narrative in which to contextualise traumatic experiences. It is s a short-term treatment that blends components of behavioural exposure, narrative testimonies, and neuroscience
We will go on a journey together where my role is to keep you safe every step of the way. I will navigate your experiences with you looking at the then and there whilst staying grounded in the safety of the here and now.
There will be essential oils, fruit, water, stress toys on hand to help with the process.
There are 4 stages to NET
Stage 1
Diagnostic Interview 90 mins
Includes
Psycho education
Your plan for therapy
Informed consent
Avoidance
Dangers or Problems that can arise
Checklist of information
Stage 2
Lifeline 90-120 mins
In this session you will lay out a physical representation of your life with a rope, placing stones and flowers along it depicting important and signifiant times in your life up until the present day.
Each item placed on the lifeline will be named.
Stage 3
Narrative 90 mins
Approx 6-10 sessions
We work through your lifeline in chronological order holding space for each stone and flower, particularly focusing on the stones that have caused trauma, processing traumatic events at a slow, appropriate pace. I will question you about various sensations and feelings (“hot” memories) while contextualising the facts and cognitive elements (“cold” memories).
I will document your narrative on paper written in your words.
This will be re read to you in the following session
Part 4
Final Session 90 -120 mins
I will re read your narrative to you to promote engagement and non avoidance.
We will sign the narrative and it is yours to keep or do as you wish with.
There will be discussion around your hopes and a re laying of the final lifeline, this time placing flowers at the end for your hopes and wishes.
Can it re traumatise?
Any type of exposure therapy can have its limitations. The problem is that a detailed reliving of trauma can be excruciating and potentially escalate negative emotions and responses for some people with PTSD.
It is important to have an open and honest conversation with myself about starting this process and how you will manage self care and your time whilst we undertake this journey together.