The application of therapeutic storytelling techniques with preadolescent children: A clinical description with illustrative case study

Abstract

For the past 10 years, the first author has been using therapeutic stories with a wide variety of children in an outpatient, private practice setting. Clinical findings have suggested that this Therapeutic Storytelling Technique (TST) may be a useful addition to the armamentarium of the cognitive-behavioral child therapist. The present article provides a detailed description of the theory, rationale, and procedural components of TST. Finally, the TST approach is further illustrated by means of a formal case study and sample story vignettes. It is hoped that the current work will lead to well-controlled, larger-scale research efforts to further delineate the usefulness of this promising technique.