Narrative Therapy for Children & Teens in Calgary
Helping Children See Themselves as Capable, Not Defined by Their Struggles
Many children and teens come to therapy already carrying a story about who they are.
They may believe they are:
“The anxious one”
“The kid who’s always in trouble”
“Bad at school”
“Too sensitive” or “not good enough”
At Creative Sky Psychology, narrative therapy helps children and teens gently loosen the grip of these stories. Instead of seeing challenges as part of who they are, kids learn to see difficulties as something they are experiencing — and something they can influence.
This shift can be powerful. It creates space for confidence, self-compassion, and growth.
What Is Narrative Therapy?
Narrative therapy is a strengths-based, evidence-informed approach that focuses on how children make sense of their experiences and how those experiences shape their identity.
Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with this child?”
Narrative therapy asks, “What has this child been dealing with — and what does that say about their strengths?”
By separating the child from the problem, narrative therapy helps reduce shame, blame, and self-criticism, while supporting healthier and more empowering self-understanding.
How Narrative Therapy Supports Children and Teens
Children often internalize their struggles. Over time, this can turn temporary challenges into fixed beliefs about who they are.
Narrative therapy helps children and teens:
Understand that problems do not define them
Recognize skills, values, and moments of resilience
Develop more compassionate and flexible self-stories
Feel more confident navigating future challenges
As these stories shift, children often feel lighter, more hopeful, and more capable — even while they continue working on anxiety, emotions, or behaviour.
A Creative, Child-Friendly Way of Working
Narrative therapy is especially effective for children because it naturally integrates creativity, imagination, and play.
At Creative Sky Psychology, narrative therapy may involve:
Storytelling and metaphors
Drawing or mapping problems outside of the child
Giving challenges names or characters
Exploring values through creative activities
Highlighting “strength moments” through play or art
This allows children to engage meaningfully in therapy without needing to talk abstractly or analytically.
Narrative therapy is often woven into Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Child Therapy, and Teen Therapy.
When Narrative Therapy Is Especially Helpful
Narrative therapy can be particularly supportive for children and teens who are navigating:
Anxiety or worry
Low self-esteem or confidence
Neurodivergence (including ADHD and autism)
Giftedness and perfectionism
School-related stress or learning challenges
Identity development or major transitions
Because narrative therapy is non-pathologizing, it is especially helpful for children who feel labelled, misunderstood, or “different.”
Supporting Neurodivergent and Gifted Children
Many neurodivergent and gifted children receive messages — subtle or direct — that they are “too much” or “not enough.”
Narrative therapy helps shift this by:
Reframing differences as part of how a child’s brain works
Separating challenges from identity
Honouring creativity, intensity, curiosity, and depth
Supporting self-advocacy and self-understanding
This approach aligns closely with Creative Sky Psychology’s neurodiversity-affirming values.
How Narrative Therapy Fits With Other Evidence-Based Approaches
Narrative therapy is rarely used on its own. At Creative Sky, it is often integrated with other evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT-informed emotion regulation skills, and emotion coaching.
This integration allows therapy to support both:
Practical skills (coping, regulation, problem-solving), and
Identity (how children see themselves and their abilities)
Learn more about our integrated approach on our Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches page.
Parent Involvement in Narrative Therapy
Parents play an important role in helping new stories take root.
Our psychologists often support parents in:
Shifting language away from labels and blame
Noticing and reinforcing strengths at home
Understanding how stress and context influence behaviour
Supporting confidence-building conversations
This helps therapy progress extend beyond the therapy room and into daily life.
Is Narrative Therapy Right for My Child?
Narrative therapy may be a good fit if your child:
Is very hard on themselves
Feels defined by anxiety, behaviour, or school struggles
Shuts down when therapy feels problem-focused
Responds well to creativity, stories, or imagination
If you’re unsure, our team can help guide you toward the right fit.
Get Started With Narrative Therapy in Calgary
Narrative therapy at Creative Sky Psychology is provided by psychologists who specialize in working with children and teens — and who understand the importance of identity, development, and emotional safety.
You may also want to explore:
Child Therapy
Teen Therapy
Play Therapy
Art Therapy
Or reach out to book a consultation and take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
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Narrative therapy is a strengths-based approach that helps children and teens separate who they are from the challenges they’re facing. It supports kids in seeing anxiety, behaviour struggles, or school stress as something they are dealing with — not who they are.
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CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviours, while narrative therapy focuses on identity and meaning. Narrative therapy helps children shift unhelpful self-stories and build confidence and self-understanding. At Creative Sky, narrative therapy is often integrated with CBT and other approaches.
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Yes. Narrative therapy is a well-established, evidence-informed approach commonly used in child and adolescent mental health. It is especially effective when combined with other evidence-based therapies.
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Narrative therapy can be helpful for elementary-aged children through teens. It adapts well to different developmental stages because it can be delivered through play, art, stories, and conversation.
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Yes. Narrative therapy is non-pathologizing and neurodiversity-affirming. It supports children in understanding differences as part of how they experience the world, rather than as flaws.
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Parents are often supported in learning how to use strengths-based language, reduce labels, and reinforce positive identity development at home. This helps therapy gains carry into everyday life.
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Some children experience shifts in confidence and self-understanding early on, while others benefit from longer-term support. Progress depends on the child’s needs and how narrative work is integrated with other approaches.