Social Activism in Narrative Therapy: Awakening Magnanimous Inclinations in Therapeutic Conversations

Narrative therapy is well known for its emphasis on deconstructing the influence of marginalizing dominant discourses and re-authoring lives. Narrative work typically concludes with a focus on individuals’ preferred experiences of themselves within their immediate relationships. This article encourages practitioners to pursue therapeutic conversations beyond consolidating clients’ stories of preferred identity. While immensely helpful in therapeutic practice, the notions of “preferred self” and “preferred identity” are concepts with ties to individualism. We can build on White and Epston’s intentions to emphasize relational dimensions by supporting the emergence of what has been coined the “magnanimous self” (Beaudoin, 2023; Beaudoin & Monk, 2024). Exploring clients’ magnanimous inclinations expands possibilities of well-being, is more congruent with collectivistic-inclined cultures, and allows our clinical work to become further aligned with narrative therapy’s dedication to social activism. This process is illustrated with transcripts of conversations with a client struggling with depressive feelings associated with caring for her husband.