Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a short-term

psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also psychological therapy, talk therapy, or talking therapy) is the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome pro ...

used for the treatment of

post-traumatic stress disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence, or other threats on ...

and other trauma-related mental disorders. It creates a written account of the traumatic experiences of a patient or group of patients, with the aim of recapturing self-respect and acknowledging the patient's value. NET is an individual treatment, NETfacts is a format for communities. NET was created in Germany in the early 2000s. Lifeline and narration

Key elements

Lifeline

NET is conducted around the use of the lifeline, which serves as a reference point for both the therapist and the patient during the therapy. Creating a lifeline occurs during the first sessionA lifeline is a physical representation of one's life; therefore, different symbols are used to reconstitute the patient's lifeline, especially flowers and stones. Flowers represent good/positive events, whereas stones represent the bad/negative events of the patient's life. Symbols' size, shape, and color may also be used to indicate events with greater or lesser intensity or significance. It is up to the patient to decide on placing and choosing these symbols to reconstitute their lifeline. The largest stones are then chosen to be dealt with since they represent the greatest traumas the patient needs to reprocess or overcome. Building a lifeline can also help strengthen the therapeutic relationship and create an estimation of the number of sessions a patient may need.

Narration

Narrations are a product of the therapy. In the end of a therapy, the narration is read and given to the patient. It is supposed to be a representative summary of the patient's life, even including some details. Narrations are expected to be taken by the patient to help them overcome their trauma and mental problems. Narrations are helpful for the patient to re-process their memories of the past, particularly the trauma, and reorganize their thoughts; which should ultimately reduce the recurrence of bad memories that are responsible for the suffering of to the patient.

Adaptations

* NET: aimed at a general public * KidNET: aimed at children and adolescents * FORNET: aimed at perpetrators

Efficacy

Studies have shown NET to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, but few comparisons have been made to other available treatments. It is conditionally recommended for treatment of PTSD by the

American Psychological Association The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, with over 133,000 members, including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. It ha ...

References cited

External links

* {{cite web , title = Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) , url = https://www.vivo.org/en/narrative-expositionstherapie/ , work = vivo international * Narrative Exposure Therapy NET Training Seminars, NET The Institut
www.net-institute.org
* Psychotherapies Stress-related disorders