Jill and Gene draw on their most recent book chapter, “Individuals in Competition or Communities in Connection? Narrative therapy in the era of neoliberalism.”

A reflection on how current “mental health” discourse prevents us from dealing with the wider reasons for distress in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

The pandemic demonstrated the failures of our public health systems and welfare networks as it reminds us that many of the most essential members of society—shop assistants, food service workers, caregivers, delivery drivers—are the lowest paid. It becomes clearer every day how the exploitation of our environment and the extraction of too much too fast is burning up our planet. The terror, hopelessness, and insecurity caused by greed, environmental destruction, and the effects of systemic racism are often treated as individual medical problems, rather than hallmarks of injustice.

We are exploring through grounded examples, exercises, and discussions how narrative therapy and its associated worldview can contribute to a sense of community and interdependence, bringing a more just and sustainable life for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our planet.