Externalizing Problems with Narrative Therapy

Mar 9, 2025

Learn how externalizing problems in narrative therapy can empower you to manage challenges and improve your mental well-being.

Externalizing problems is a core technique in narrative therapy, introduced by Michael White and David Epston. This method helps you see challenges as separate from yourself, making them easier to understand and manage. Here's how it works:

What It Is: Instead of saying, "I am anxious", you might say, "Anxiety is affecting me." This shift helps reduce self-blame and empowers you to take control.
Key Benefits:
- Less self-blame and shame.
- Clearer problem-solving.
- Improved communication with others.
- More confidence in managing challenges.
How It Works:
- Name your problem (e.g., "The Worry Monster").
- Treat it like a character in a story with traits and behaviors.
- Track its effects on your life and identify patterns.

Practical Tools:

Use journaling (digital or traditional) to log and analyze your problem.
Tools like Pausa can help track progress and provide insights.

This approach is effective for all ages, from kids using drawings to adults using reflective writing. By externalizing problems, you can gain clarity, emotional distance, and a sense of control.

Narrative Therapy Role-Play - Externalizing the Problem - Excessive Worry

Main Externalization Methods

Externalization involves viewing your problems as separate from yourself, and there are practical ways to put this idea into action. These methods make narrative therapy more hands-on by turning abstract challenges into something you can better understand and address.

How to Name Problems

Giving your problem a name helps you see it as something you can confront directly. For instance, instead of saying, "I'm anxious", you might call it "The Worry Monster" or "The Uncertainty Cloud."

Here are some tips for naming problems:

Use a name that reflects how you experience it.
Choose words that create some emotional distance.
Pick terms that make the issue feel approachable.
Avoid labels that make you feel at fault.

Using Stories and Characters

Turning your struggles into a story can help you see them differently. In this narrative, you're the main character, working to overcome an outside force. Think of your problem as a character with its own personality and habits.

Here’s a framework to help you explore this approach:

| Story Element | Purpose | Example Application |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Character Description</strong> | Define the problem’s traits | Describe how "Perfectionism Pete" behaves. |
| <strong>Plot Points</strong> | Track when it appears | Note when "The Doubt Dragon" feels strongest. |
| <strong>Supporting Cast</strong> | Identify helpful resources | List allies who help combat "The Stress Storm." |
| <strong>Character Arc</strong> | Document your progress | Record how you’re handling "Anxiety Annie."

Tracking Problem Effects

To better understand your problem, document when and how it shows up. Pay attention to specific situations, physical sensations, emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Daily Impact Journal

Keep a log that includes:

The time and situation when the problem arises.
Physical sensations and emotional reactions.
Thoughts and behaviors that follow.
Actions you take to deal with it.

Area Impact Assessment

Write down how the problem affects different parts of your life, such as:

Work performance and productivity.
Relationships and social interactions.
Physical health and energy.
Mental and emotional well-being.

Progress Tracking

Observe changes over time by:

Recording moments when you successfully manage the problem.
Noting effective new strategies.
Identifying patterns in how and when the problem occurs.
Celebrating small wins and positive changes.

Digital tools can simplify this process. For example, Pausa offers AI-powered journaling features that help you track patterns and better understand how externalized problems impact your life. This makes it easier to stay consistent and notice trends over time.

These strategies make externalization a practical tool in therapy and everyday life.

Externalization in Practice

Guide for Therapists

Start by investigating how the problem affects the client’s life with questions like:

"When did you first notice this challenge in your life?"
"How has this situation been affecting your daily activities?"
"What name would you give to this experience?"

Work together with clients to define the externalized problem by focusing on:

Its physical characteristics
Patterns of behavior it causes
Situations that trigger it
How it impacts relationships

Support clients in finding ways to take control by:

Highlighting past instances where they managed the problem successfully
Brainstorming strategies to reduce the problem's impact
Building on their existing strengths and resources

Adjusting these techniques to suit different stages of life can make therapy more effective.

Methods for Different Ages

Tailoring externalization techniques to different age groups can make the process more relatable. Here’s a breakdown:

| Age Group | Approach | Example Activities |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Children (5-12)</strong> | Use drawing, storytelling, and play | Draw a "Worry Monster" to represent their concerns |
| <strong>Teens (13-17)</strong> | Include digital tools and creative outlets | Design a social media profile for "Depression" |
| <strong>Adults (18+)</strong> | Use metaphors and reflective writing | Write a letter to "Perfectionism" to express feelings

These approaches naturally transition into practical, real-life applications.

Example Scenarios

Working with Anxiety

A therapist helps a client name their anxiety "The Overthinking Orchestra." Together, they explore its peak moments, triggers, and ways to reduce its influence.
Addressing Depression

A client and therapist externalize depression as "The Gray Cloud." They work on:
- Tracking when the cloud appears
- Identifying what causes it to grow or shrink
- Finding methods to create breaks in the cloud cover
Managing Anger

A family therapist helps parents and children view anger as "The Red Dragon." Together, they:
- Map out situations that awaken the dragon
- Develop family signals to recognize when it’s stirring
- Create strategies to calm the dragon as a team

Digital tools, like Pausa, can simplify tracking and encourage reflection, making these practices even more accessible.

Digital Tools for Externalization

Digital journaling offers innovative ways to support externalization, a key concept in narrative therapy. These tools help separate personal identity from challenges, making it easier to analyze and address issues objectively.

Journaling for Externalization

Digital journaling uses structured approaches to reframe challenges as independent entities. By giving problems consistent names and treating them as separate from oneself, users can maintain emotional distance and focus on solutions.

Techniques to try:

Write in the third person to create distance.
Develop detailed "profiles" for challenges, almost like characters.
Track recurring patterns and triggers.
Record instances of successfully managing or overcoming issues.

Pausa: An AI-Powered Journaling Tool

Pausa takes journaling a step further with artificial intelligence. It processes both text and voice inputs, offering insights and structured recaps that help users understand how their externalized challenges evolve over time.

What Pausa offers:

Options to journal via text or voice.
AI-generated insights based on entries.
Daily and periodic summaries to track progress.
Suggestions for actionable next steps.
Built-in goal tracking to measure achievements.

How Digital Tools Add Value

Digital tools bring unique benefits to the process of externalization. Here's a closer look:

| Feature | How It Works | Why It Helps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Consistent Tracking</strong> | Sends reminders and notifications | Keeps users aware of recurring patterns. |
| <strong>Pattern Recognition</strong> | AI analyzes entries for trends | Highlights triggers and effective strategies. |
| <strong>Accessibility</strong> | Works on mobile devices | Makes it easy to record thoughts anytime, anywhere. |
| <strong>Progress Visualization</strong> | Tracks progress digitally | Offers clear evidence of improvement over time

Summary and Next Steps

Key Takeaways

Looking at problems as separate from yourself can improve your mental health and outlook. Here's how it helps:

Emotional Distance: Seeing problems as external allows you to stay objective.
Clearer Problem-Solving: A fresh perspective makes finding solutions easier.
Empowerment: Distancing yourself from challenges makes change feel more achievable.
Improved Confidence: Breaking the connection between your identity and your struggles boosts self-esteem.

Use these ideas to take meaningful steps forward.

How to Begin

Ready to start? Here's a simple plan to put externalizing into action:

Try Pausa, an AI-powered journaling tool that works with both text and voice.
Give your problem a name to make it feel separate - like calling anxiety "The Worry Monster" instead of saying, "I'm anxious."
Use Pausa daily to log your thoughts, identify patterns, and track your progress with AI-generated insights.

| Step | Traditional Method | With Pausa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Journaling</strong> | Write in a notebook | Use AI to record text or voice entries |
| <strong>Reviewing</strong> | Manually go through notes | Let AI detect patterns for you |
| <strong>Planning</strong> | Create your own strategies | Get AI-suggested actions |
| <strong>Tracking</strong> | Rely on memory | See data-driven progress visualizations

Externalization takes time and practice to master. Start small, stay consistent, and let tools like Pausa make the process smoother and more effective.