top, or wander by the waterhole and see the wrinkly-backed crocodile still trying to hide in the wa-
ters, there is an instant reminder of the message of the story: Incest is taboo.
If you can build the story in the reality of your child’s experience it helps to confirm the mes-
sage and outcome of the story. If your story incorporates a character children may see on TV, is set
in a suburb like their own, relates to a sport that they play, or tells of characters similar to their friends,
then every time they engage in or interact with those variables there is a reminder of the story and
its outcome.
PRO-APPROACHHow Do I Plan and Present Healing Stories? 265
EXERCISE 16.1 SUMMARY: STEPS FOR USING HEALING STORIES
■ Step 1. Make an Outcome-Oriented Assessment.If you have an assumption of outcome
and agree on a goal that is specific and positive, then it will be easier to ensure thera-
peutic success whether working with healing stories or any other therapeutic inter-
vention.
■ Step 2. Plan your metaphors.First, assess the Outcome. Look at where the story is go-
ing. Second, define the Resources and means necessary to reach the child’s outcome.
Having done this, you can then explore the presenting Problem and the character
necessary to carry the story through to its conclusion.
■ Step 3. Present your metaphors.In telling the tale, you will tell it in the reverse of what
you have planned, beginning first with the Problem, describing and developing the
necessary Resources, and, finally, offering appropriate Outcomes.
■ Step 4. Stop, look, and listen. Observe your client. Assess the way the story is being re-
ceived and what needs to be adapted and changed to make it meaningful and useful
for the child.
■ Step 5. Ground the story in reality.This helps make listening to the story more engag-
ing for the child and also helps generalize the benefits into the child’s day-to-day life.