When a member lacks stable housing, the problem is rarely just about finding shelter. Behind the barriers to housing missed appointments, dropped calls, reluctance to engage—there’s often something deeper: a story they’ve internalized about who they are and what they deserve.
Narrative therapy offers a powerful framework to change that story.
Narrative therapy is a strength-based, collaborative counseling approach that helps individuals reframe how they see themselves in relation to the challenges they face. Instead of viewing the problem as something intrinsic “I can’t get housing because I always mess things up” narrative therapy works to externalize the issue: “I’m experiencing barriers to housing because the system is complex and overwhelming.”
This shift is more than semantic. It can be transformative.
By guiding individuals to separate themselves from the problem and focus on their strengths, narrative therapy creates space for self-compassion, motivation, and goal-directed action. It’s particularly effective when used alongside other approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or solution-focused models, but it stands out for its emphasis on story and meaning-making.
For many individuals facing housing instability, their narrative is one of defeat or unworthiness. The language they use “I’ve been evicted,” “I’m too pushy,” “It’s probably my fault”—reveals how deeply they’ve absorbed the idea that their current situation is a reflection of personal failure.
Without intervention, this mindset can create paralysis.
But when a practitioner skilled in narrative techniques listens attentively, reflects back what they hear, and reframes it with a focus on resilience and agency, something shifts.
Take, for example, a member navigating homelessness while managing disability. Initially, she believed her assertiveness, reaching out repeatedly for help, was part of the problem. Through structured conversation, the practitioner helped her see that her persistence wasn’t problematic; it was self-advocacy. She wasn’t a nuisance, she was doing exactly what was needed to move forward.
Once she adopted this new frame “I’m advocating for myself” she began using that language herself, unprompted. The story changed, and so did her actions. She got herself on a housing waitlist, stayed engaged with care teams, and began to see herself as someone taking charge, not someone being swept along by misfortune.
Beyond emotional and psychological benefits, narrative therapy also serves a practical function in care coordination. In remote or phone-based engagements, members can sometimes spiral into lengthy expressions of frustration or hopelessness. These conversations are emotionally important but they can also become unfocused and time-consuming.
Narrative techniques allow practitioners to redirect these moments into productive, goal-oriented interactions. By identifying patterns in the member’s story and highlighting strength-based interpretations like adaptability, creativity, or persistence care teams can build rapport while gently guiding the conversation toward next steps in the housing journey.
Health plan teams often work with members during the most difficult chapters of their lives. Narrative therapy equips practitioners with tools not just to listen, but to reshape how members see themselves, which in turn influences how they act.
When members believe they are capable, deserving, and not defined by past failures, they’re more likely to follow through with applications, attend assessments, and stay engaged in services. This narrative shift can be the difference between stagnation and progress.
And while narrative therapy may not be standard in every organization particularly in community-based or non-clinical housing services it is an evidence-informed practice that can enhance motivation, improve engagement, and lead to better housing outcomes when applied intentionally.
Narrative therapy isn’t a magic solution. Not every member is ready to tell their story, and not every story is easy to hear. But when used thoughtfully by trained professionals, this approach helps transform shame into strength and hopelessness into action exactly the kind of shift needed to support sustainable housing outcomes.
Upside Corporate Headquarters
200 E Las Olas Blvd 14th Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
