Narrative research

I became interested in narrative research and therapy whilst undertaking my MSc at Bristol University,  seeing narrative research as a way of working collaboratively with people in ways that give them a voice that is listened to. This is an excerpt from Sarah's story telling of her experience of being diagnosed with macular degeneration:

"I'm 58 quite assertive normally, I can't believe how the hospital told me
Can't believe it. Even sitting here telling you I think that I must have imagined it.
"She's got MD?" he said to the student.
"There is no hope of recovery - the retina is damaged beyond repair?
Still they didn't talk to me/
I blinked slowly.
"what does this mean for me?" I asked.
"We'll make an appointment to get you registered," he said.
"You don't have to worry about it." What! Me! Worry?! (Excerpt from Sarah's Story)

My doctoral research project was undertaken alongside four people who are visually impaired and together we looked at questions of identity and how being visually impaired impacted on claims to identity.   My book 'Songs at Twilight: A Narrative explorating of living with a visual impairment' is out now from www.c-s-p.org.uk and 'Different Horizons: Counselling people who are blind or partially sighted' is available from RNIB publications www.rnib.org.uk

I have also undertaken research with people affected by childhood trauma, suicidal thoughts and feelings, and community trauma. The following expert comes from my work with Alex an ex-counselling client and is published within  my book entitled: 'Where angels fear to tread: having conversations about suicide in a counselling context'.

The abstract for the dissertations on which the books are based is available at www.bacp.co.uk on their dissertation database.

"I imagine a place where I can just be.
Without this agony ? this hell.
Peace
No more tearing wrenching grinding.
A place of non-being where the out of control -ness
of being on a grain of sand on a rollercoaster
 
STOPS
 
I decide
I fantasize about what this place will look like
How it will be.
Will it be anything or nothing?
Nothing seems preferable".
(excerpt from Alex's story)
 
Further narrative projects to come.........