David Epston
Co-built narrative therapy and the therapeutic letter.
Co-founder of narrative therapy, treating problems as separate from people and known for the use of therapeutic letters and documents.
terms
techniques
The words in a letter don’t fade the way conversation does; they endure, bearing witness to the work of therapy.
Who they were
David Epston is a New Zealand-based therapist and co-originator of narrative therapy. Born in Canada, he settled in New Zealand and became co-director of the Family Therapy Centre in Auckland. His collaboration with Michael White culminated in their 1990 book Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. He is especially associated with using therapeutic letters and written documents to extend the work beyond the session.
Terms they cared about
Ideas worth knowing
Their techniques
How the work was done
Their big idea
Narrative Theory
We live by stories; separating person from problem opens room for a preferred narrative.
The approach they founded
Narrative Therapy
You live by stories. It separates the person from the problem and helps author a preferred one.
Questions in their spirit
What they’d ask you
Sit with one. Answer online, or in the app.
Carry the idea forward
Epston — What they’d ask you
Psipas asks you one small, honest question at a time — and builds the picture from your answers.