Background: Changing relationships with major challenges in life, such as alcohol and other drugs, violence, past experiences, involve a state of change. This can be described as a time of ‘liminality’, or ‘in between’. This is often a time of confusion and vulnerabilities.
Model of Care: The Crossing the River framework was developed in the field of narrative practice.
Application to practice: The metaphor supports people to navigate transitions in their lives. In individual or groupwork, participants name what they would like to leave behind, to keep with them on the journey, and ‘get closer to’ on the other side of the river. People find their own ways of refining the metaphor about making the crossing, fitting it to their own challenges, resources, priorities and circumstances.
The approach has supported many men and women in our practice over 20 years in a wide range of contexts.
Implementation: The workshop will commence with an explanation of the theory and practices involved in the metaphor, and the range of applications by the facilitators and other practitioners
Most of the workshop will be devoted to participants drawing and completing River Crossing, based on a change they have navigated in life. Greg is a very experienced trainer and practitioner, supported by Tye.
This exercise will be established and actively monitored to assist a ‘safe’ and productive process.
The practice offers a flexible and creative means of assisting people to reflect on changes they hope for, and practical strategies to support them on their journey.
Outcomes: Participants will leave the workshop with skills in applying this valuable practice to their own settings.