Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a evidence-based short-term treatment for traumatised survivors of organised, sexual or domestic violence as well as war or natural disasters. The treatment of children (KIDNET) follows the same principles and procedures as the treatment of adults, however expanded with child-appropriate elements.

The NET builds on neuropsychological models of trauma and memory and the procedure is based on Testimony Therapy (as developed by Lira and Weinstein in Chile) in combination with cognitive behavioural exposure techniques. Witnesses to severe human rights violations are invited to testify about their traumatic experiences. In cooperation with the therapist they can restore their autobiographic memories about those experiences. In this way fragmentary memories are transformed into a coherent narrative structure: a testimony. This practice fosters the processing of painful emotions and the construction of clear contingencies of dangerous and safe conditions, generally leading to significant emotional recovery. If the survivor agrees, the documents (testimonies) that result from this therapy can be used for prosecution of human rights violations or awareness raising purposes.

Narrative Trauma-Work (NAT)

Narrative Trauma Work NAT was developed to identify and support individuals affected by trauma through an effective screening and counseling approach early on – before psychological and physical illnesses manifest. The target group of highly burdened individuals remains largely unrecognized within our conservative healthcare systems globally. Consequently, not only do individuals fall ill, but cycles of transgenerational violence and suffering are maintained and perpetuated into future generations.

NAT originates both scientifically and clinically in the groundbreaking principles of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). The aim of NAT is to reduce, stone-by-stone, the individual building block that has formed through experiences of violence, abuse, neglect, severe stress, and social pain – often beginning in childhood and continuing throughout life – through the process of narrative biography work. The outcome of successful NAT work is prevention of psychological ill-health and strengthening of effective self-efficacy. NAT enables clients to achieve biographical integration and radical acceptance of past life events. Through the intense process of witnessing and documenting, the NAT counselor engages in active human rights work.

NAT can be integrated both population-based within a public mental health system as a low-threshold, stepped-care intervention, and also applied in individual case work. Especially social peers, but also non-specialist providers from diverse health and social fields as well as individuals from the legal and educational sectors, and community helpers are invited to learn and offer NAT in their respective contexts.