Externalising the Problem: A Core Skill in Narrative Practice
Externalising the problem is one of the most central and transformative skills in narrative therapy. Introduced by Michael White and David Epston, this approach helps people recognise that their lives are shaped by stories, and that problems do not represent their core identity. Throughout this article, we will explore how externalising conversations work, why they matter, and how narrative practitioners use them to strengthen personal agency and open space for new possibilities.
What is Externalising the Problem in Narrative Therapy
Externalising shifts language from personal blame to a more spacious and compassionate perspective. Instead of viewing someone as an anxious person or an angry person, narrative practice explores how Anxiety or Anger influences their life. This reframing invites clients to see problems as separate entities that can be understood, challenged, and responded to with intention.
This practice helps to counter dominant narratives and problem-saturated stories that often overshadow strengths, relationships, and preferred ways of being. When people are supported to step back and observe the problem's influence, they often reconnect with personal qualities that express hope, courage, and resilience.
How Do You Externalise a Problem
Therapists begin by inviting the person consulting to describe the problem in their own words. Through collaborative questioning, practitioners explore when the problem appears, what keeps it active, and how it affects relationships, well-being, and daily routines. Narrative therapists may use position maps (visual representations of relationships between the person and problem), expressive arts, or written exercises to deepen these reflections.
This process allows clients to identify their own skills, values, and commitments that resist the problem's influence. Externalising also reduces self-blame, making it particularly helpful in areas such as mental health, trauma, family therapy, or situations where socially constructed labels shape a person's sense of self.
What is an Example of an Externalising Problem
Examples may include naming anxiety as "The Worry Voice," depression as "The Fog," or anger as "The Heat." These names are chosen by the client and reflect the lived experience in their own language. Once the problem is externalised, people often notice unique outcomes or times when they acted against the problem's intentions. These moments become foundations for preferred stories and strengthened identity conclusions.
What is Mapping the Influence of the Problem in Narrative Therapy
Mapping the influence explores two key questions:
- How is the problem affecting the person's life?
- How is the person influencing the problem?
This practice helps individuals observe the broader effects of the problem and the steps they already take to counter its influence. Mapping creates space for alternative stories, empowering narratives, and greater clarity about what matters most to the person consulting.
For practitioners wishing to deepen their skills in narrative practice, Compass Seminars Australia offers Narrative Therapy Training & Courses that explore therapeutic conversations designed to help children, young people, adults, and families create more hopeful stories and alternative ways of being. These in-person workshops provide practical guidance relevant to trauma, relationships, grief, out-of-home care, and broader mental health contexts.