Empowering Narratives: Exploring Personal Stories Through the Shield of Arms Group Therapy Practice

This article describes a creative group therapy approach called the shield of arms, representing an individual’s protective armor. Using narrative therapy as the theoretical framework and its practice of externalizing the other, the shield of arms creates a context for empowerment, helping individuals to separate themselves from their problem-saturated stories and reconstruct the stories they want to live. This approach helps individuals in group therapy craft their personal stories by engaging them in designing their shield of arms, allowing them to explore and reflect on their unique experiences, values, and aspirations within a supportive and collaborative environment.