Questions and Answers about the NPCI Study Group

Q. What is the NPCI Study Group?

A. The Narrative Practice & Collaborative Inquiry Study Group brings together a worldwide group of psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors and other mental health and human service practitioners to actively study developments in narrative practice and collaborative inquiry, to reflect on the growth of their own work, and to engage in shared projects. Members fold this commitment into active lives without the constraints of formal academic pressures, with the freedom to participate to the extent possible. Members can also earn CE credit through Alliant University by registering for upcoming online courses in collaboration with The Taos Institute.

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Q. Who started the NPCI Study Group? What is your vision?

A. Peggy Sax started the study group. My vision for The NPCI Study Group forum is to create "an island of belonging" where those of us drawn to narrative practice and other collaborative approaches from across geographic distance can find each other and build a learning community that transcends geography, professional status, and other differences. We begin as a tribute to Michael White's work - apprenticing to the craft of asking questions, holding ourselves accountable to our commitments in how we wish to treat others, and keep learning/growing/becoming. The forum soon became a place to learn from others – the more and less well-known voices- who are living/applying these practices to various contexts of their/our lives - and from each other.

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Q. Peggy, what most excites you about this study group?

A. I love the positive, respectful, curious energy, and all the new developments. We don't pressure each other to post anymore than whatever works best. I live rurally, near a small town, and so it's a special joy to meet, and learn together with people from all over the world. For example, I recently received two inquiries from Siberia, Russia and Jerusalem, Israel on the same day. Over the past three years, the study group has become a meeting place for global colleagues with shared interests such as working with children and families, mental health and psychiatry, independent practice, group work, consulting with communities and organizations, educational settings, “real-world” agencies, supervision and teaching. I am especially enthralled with the ways we can support each other, share discoveries, and embark on creative ventures - while simultaneously honoring personal values, respecting confidentiality, and engaging in ethical ways of being.

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Q. How did you decide on the name for the study group?

A. I gave a lot of thought to choosing the name for this study group. "Narrative practice" is a term that is replacing "narrative therapy,” with many applications beyond the therapy room. Many people who work in public sector settings such as early childhood care and education, psychiatric settings, social services, and community mental health have readily adapted this change in language. The narrative therapy literature has begun exploring how to apply narrative practices in community circumstances. In this study group, I want to explore possible applications for narrative practice both in and extending well beyond the realm of psychotherapy, using family-centered practices in a range of public sector work settings. I am excited by the opportunity to create bridges and build dialogue between practitioners working in independent practice and for agencies, hospitals and institutions; they often live in separate worlds, yet have lots to learn from one another.

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Q. What do you mean by “Collaborative Inquiry”?

A. "Collaborative Inquiry” is a term now used in a variety of fields to foster adult learning and professional development; to facilitate social and community action; to make learning more accessible and demystify research for people, not on people; and as an approach to clinical practice. Both narrative practice and collaborative inquiry offer concepts and specific practices that honor social interdependency and diminished hierarchy. When used in a therapeutic context, both narrative practice and collaborative inquiry aim to make therapy more participatory and linked with a community of support.

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Q: How much computer knowledge is required?

A: Most study group members are new to distance education technology. As a learning community, we are guided by a love for learning combined with a pioneer spirit. All learning methods are user friendly, and there is plenty of technological help to get you started and comfortable with this learning approach.

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Q: Who is Eligible? What does it cost?

A: We welcome new members who are keen to further develop their understanding of narrative practice and collaborative inquiry, to hone their skills as practitioners – and to learn in the company of others.

Everyone pays an annual $100 USD base fee for access to the media library, discussion boards and Witnessing Projects. Soon you will also be able to sign up for offerings in the Taos Institute and Re-authoring Teaching Online Series for Alliant Continuing Education (CE) credit. if this interests you.

The first step is to become a registered member of the NPCI Study Group (please see below).