Planet stories: Using AI-generated science fiction to externalise conflict by Andrea Ng

Planet stories: Using AI-generated science fiction to externalise conflict by Andrea Ng

Externalising can be useful in addressing conflict in relationships. It can provide space for deconstruction, the consideration of shared values and new meaning-making. It also avoids the labelling and deficit identity conclusions that can accompany internalised accounts. This audio practice note describes an emerging practice for working with couples experiencing conflict: using an artificial intelligence tool to generate science fiction stories to support the externalising of a problem and open space for reauthoring conversations. Andrea Ng Siu Har shares her work with Amy (pseudonym), whose husband valued punctuality while Amy preferred to prioritise being relaxed over arriving on time. As part of a playful enquiry into this cultural difference between the spouses, Andrea and Amy prompted ChatGPT to produce a science fiction story about daily life on a planet whose inhabitants were always late. As well as being funny and resonant, the resulting story helped to elicit Amy’s own values and to identify skills she had developed, including being able to remain calm and work quickly under pressure. It also prompted discussion of the family history of these skills and values. A subsequent AI story about a planet whose inhabitants were impatient facilitated insight into Amy’s husband’s perspective, and prompted conversations about shared values and the work of achieving mutual understanding, accommodation and harmony. Andrea also shares some cautions for working with AI in this way, and emphasises the importance of keeping the person, and their knowledge and preferences, at the centre. *** Andrea Ng is an independent narrative-informed family consultant in Hong Kong, with a key focus on supporting families with children/teenagers diagnosed with autism, ADHD and special educational needs. She passionately incorporates expressive arts like drama, music, and song writing into her narrative-informed work with people.  Ng, A. (2023). Planet stories: Using AI-generated science fiction to externalise conflict in relationships [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1). https://doi.org/ 10.4320/HBYV4869 *** Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MARS_THE_RED_PLANET.jpg [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MARS_THE_RED_PLANET.jpg]  *** International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is published by Dulwich Centre Foundation. More about this recording and a treasure trove of articles, videos, and multimedia works are available from https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org/]  It’s all free to access and share with no log-in required. Dulwich Centre is located on the land of the Kaurna people. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and pay respect to Elders past and present. https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org/]

On critical thinking by Mary Heath

In this recording of a favourite paper from the journal’s archives, Mary Heath sets out a personal history of her journey toward becoming a critical thinker. She considers two common barriers to critical thinking: cultural disapproval of critique, and confusing critical thinking with criticism. In response, Mary argues that rigorous thinking offers benefits – and not only risks – to cultures as well as individuals. The paper considers where cultural resources supportive of critique might be found. Further, Mary argues that critical analysis should be understood (and undertaken) as a process of collaborative support for rigorous thinking rather than as a form of hostile criticism. Some dimensions of critical thinking are outlined, together with questions that might allow readers to apply them to specific contexts. The paper closes with some reflections on the process of writing in which some of these dimensions of critical thinking are applied to the paper itself. Additional information and a PDF of this paper are available at https://dulwichcentre.com.au/on-critical-thinking-by-mary-heath-read-by-mary-heath/ [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/on-critical-thinking-by-mary-heath-read-by-mary-heath/]  *** Original paper: Heath, M. (2012). On critical thinking. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (4), 11–18. This recording: Heath, M. (2024). On critical thinking (M. Heath, Narr.) [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1). https://doi.org/10.4320/TOGS7956 [https://doi.org/10.4320/TOGS7956] (Original work published 2012) *** International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is published by Dulwich Centre Foundation. More about this recording and a treasure trove of articles, videos, and multimedia works are available from https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]  It’s all free to access and share with no log-in required. Dulwich Centre is located on the land of the Kaurna people. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and pay respect to Elders past and present. https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]

Caring for trans community by Tiffany Sostar

This audio practice note and the collective document it describes are part of “narrative projects in support of trans lives”, a collection of work being undertaken by Tiffany Sostar, Elliot Trimble, and Nathan Viktor Fawaz. This practice note and collective document were the first to be published in this collection of work. Not to fix anything, but just to offer a millimetre of relief or breath or humour or companionship: A collective document about caring for trans community brings together many stories of care within and with trans community. Our hope is that this document will help connect readers to a sense of community and collective action, and will invite readers, regardless of gender identity, to join us in taking actions of care within a social context that is increasingly hostile to trans lives. These stories, reflection questions, and invitations describe and welcome a wide range of care, including small, personal, and beautifully imperfect actions taken by and alongside trans community. The document Tiffany describes can be downloaded from https://dulwichcentre.com.au/caring-for-trans-community-tiffany-sostar/ [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/caring-for-trans-community-tiffany-sostar/]  *** Tiffany Sostar (they/them) is a bisexual, nonbinary, neurodivergent, disabled narrative practitioner and community worker. They love collective narrative practice and documentation, making zines, reading speculative fiction and being in community. They live as a white settler in Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This is the home of the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani First Nations; the Tsuut’ina; and the Iyarhe Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations. This is also the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Tiffany is about to begin a PhD program researching narrative practices in support of trans lives. Sostar, T. (2024). Care for trans lives [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1), https://doi.org/10.4320/VYKP6507 [https://doi.org/10.4320/VYKP6507] *** REFERENCES Denborough, D. (2014). Retelling the stories of our lives: Everyday narrative therapy to draw inspiration and transform experience. Norton. Dulwich Centre. (2017). How we are trying to avoid misgendering others. https://dulwichcentre.com.au/misgendering/ [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/misgendering/] Hedtke, L., & Winslade, J. (2017). The crafting of grief: Constructing aesthetic responses to loss. Routledge. White, M. (2003). Narrative practice and community assignments. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2). 17–55. Wingard, B., & Lester, J. (2001). Telling our stories in ways that make us stronger. Dulwich Centre Publications

Poststructuralism and therapy by Leonie Simmons

In this audio recording of a favourite paper from the journal’s archives, a team from Dulwich Centre, coordinated by Leonie Simmons, offers answers to frequently asked questions about poststructuralism and therapy. Narrative therapy is influenced by poststructuralist ideas and yet, for many of us, it can be quite a challenge to understand what poststructuralism is and what it might mean for our practice as therapists. This brief piece sets out structuralist and poststructuralist ways of seeing the world and how they have shaped therapeutic approaches. Additional information and a PDF of this paper are available at https://dulwichcentre.com.au/poststructuralism-and-therapy-whats-it-all-about-leonie-simmons/ [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/poststructuralism-and-therapy-whats-it-all-about-leonie-simmons/]  *** Original paper: Simmons, L. (2002). Poststructuralism and therapy – What’s it all about? International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), 85–89. https://doi.org/ 10.4320/YTUN1444 [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/product/poststructuralism-and-therapy-whats-it-all-about-leonie-simmons/] This recording: Simmons, L. (2024). Poststructuralism and therapy – What’s it all about? (L. Simmons, Narr.) [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), https://doi.org/10.4320/DGLQ1570 [https://doi.org/10.4320/DGLQ1570] *** International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is published by Dulwich Centre Foundation. More about this recording and a treasure trove of articles, videos, and multimedia works are available from https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]  It’s all free to access and share with no log-in required. Dulwich Centre is located on the land of the Kaurna people. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and pay respect to Elders past and present. https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]

Cultivating queer joy: Letter-writing campaign by Aaron Patey

This practice note describes a letter-writing campaign dedicated to sharing insider knowledges of Queer Joy. Letter-writing campaigns seek to create a context to share community knowledges of care in ways that can be accessed by members of the community of concern. This campaign begins with a queer invitation to allow members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in our province to write letters about their experience of cultivating queer joy. These letters are then distributed in sessions if a person is struggling to create queer joy in their life. This audio note reviews the care put into the letter-writing invitations. It includes responses from three letter writers and outlines the effects for both readers and writers. I hope that others can create seeds of queer joy in their lives through listening to how others have traversed, creating their queer joy. All names used in this audio recording are pseudonyms. Additional information and downloads relating to this practice note are available from https://dulwichcentre.com.au/cultivating-queer-joy-letter-writing-campaign-aaron-patey/ [https://dulwichcentre.com.au/cultivating-queer-joy-letter-writing-campaign-aaron-patey/]  References Denborough, D. (2008). Collective narrative practice: Responding to individuals, groups and communities who have experienced trauma. Dulwich Centre Publications. Maeder, R. (2020). Queer Invitations: Fostering connection between queer young people and their loved ones. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1), 11–23. Additional sources Chilisa, B. (2014). Indigenous research is a journey: An interview with Bagele Chilisa by Cheryl White and David Denborough. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), 41–44. Denborough, D., Freedman, J., & White, C. (2008). Strengthening resistance: The use of narrative practices in working with genocide survivors. Dulwich Centre Foundation and Evanston Family Therapy Centre. Gerlitz, J. (2015). Linking lives: Invitations to clients to write letters to clients. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), 9–18. Madigan, S. (2011). Narrative therapy: Theory and practice. American Psychological Association. Madigan, S. (2012). Anti-individualist narrative practice: Listening to the echoes of cultural histories. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1), 27–34. Okumura, A. (2007). No turning back: Male to female transgender journeys of getting through tough times. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (3), 57–66. *** Aaron Patey is a queer, nonbinary First Nations therapist working in a family-founded nonprofit called the Jacob Puddister Memorial Foundation, which provides free counselling services to people aged 12 to 35. They work in a 10-session model with the option for people to reapply as needed, and support a drop-in program, which is dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The drop-in program has no age mandate so it can service all community members. Throughout this work, Aaron focuses on addressing the systems involved within issues, creating opportunities for double-storied accounts, bringing to light the implicit, and upholding the initiatives people take in their movements of life. Their role in this work is a gently influential co-researcher and witness. Patey, A. (2025). Cultivating queer joy: Letter writing campaign [Audio recording]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), https://doi.org/10.4320/NFTH2000 [https://doi.org/10.4320/NFTH2000] *** International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work is published by Dulwich Centre Foundation. More about this recording and a treasure trove of articles, videos, and multimedia works are available from https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]  It’s all free to access and share with no log-in required. Dulwich Centre is located on the land of the Kaurna people. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and pay respect to Elders past and present. https://narrativetherapyjournal.org [https://narrativetherapyjournal.org]