narrative

Abstract: Peacebuilding processes operate within a nexus of historical events, contemporary dynamics and future possibilities. This paper explores the possibilities presented by narrative based historical memory work in enabling an understanding of conflicting stories and perspectives needed to build an understanding of contemporary dynamics of a society or context.

In this article a form of psychotherapy for traumatised children and adolescents (KIDNET) is described. This approach is based on Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), a short-term treatment method for traumatised adults. The description of KIDNET is illustrated with a detailed report of the successful treatment of a severely traumatised 13-year old refugee child.

The authors describe a programme for victims of war structured around day care treatment that takes into account the need of patients for structure and at the same time makes it possible for them to re-experience the trauma. This programme consists of a combination of a storytelling group and art therapy.