https://contributors.systemicwiki.com/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Definitional_ceremonyDefinitional ceremony - Revision history2026-10-19T13:00:00ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.46.2https://contributors.systemicwiki.com/index.php?title=Definitional_ceremony&diff=13&oldid=prevDsi.ionescu: 1 revision imported: Initial import: Narrative pathway pilot2026-08-19T23:19:23Z<p>1 revision imported: Initial import: Narrative pathway pilot</p>
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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>= Definitional ceremony =<br />
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== Short definition ==<br />
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Definitional ceremony is a narrative method where a person or group tells a preferred story and has that story witnessed, acknowledged and reflected back by others.<br />
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== Level ==<br />
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[[LEVEL 3 — METHODS]]<br />
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== Expanded definition ==<br />
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Definitional ceremony is a narrative practice influenced by the work of anthropologist [[Barbara Myerhoff]] and developed in narrative therapy by [[Michael White]].<br />
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It involves creating a structured context in which a person, family or group can give expression to important stories of identity, value, survival, resistance, care or change.<br />
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Outsider witnesses listen and then respond in a particular way, focusing on what stood out, what images or phrases moved them, what it connected with in their own lives, and how they have been affected.<br />
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The person or family then has the opportunity to respond to the witness responses.<br />
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Definitional ceremony helps preferred stories become more visible, socially recognised and richly described.<br />
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== Purpose of this method ==<br />
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The purpose of this method is to support the public or relational acknowledgment of preferred identity.<br />
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It can help people:<br />
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* feel seen beyond the problem story<br />
* experience their values as recognised<br />
* strengthen preferred stories<br />
* reduce isolation<br />
* mark important transitions<br />
* honour survival, resistance or care<br />
* build community around change<br />
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== When to use this method ==<br />
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Use this method when:<br />
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* a preferred story is ready to be witnessed<br />
* the person wants others to hear a different story<br />
* there is a meaningful transition or ending<br />
* community or family witnessing would be helpful<br />
* the problem story has isolated the person<br />
* change needs to be socially acknowledged<br />
* witnesses can participate safely and respectfully<br />
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== How this method works ==<br />
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A definitional ceremony usually has three parts.<br />
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First, the person, family or group tells their story.<br />
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Second, outsider witnesses respond using a careful witnessing structure.<br />
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Third, the person, family or group reflects on what it was like to hear the witness responses.<br />
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The therapist facilitates the process and protects the dignity, consent and safety of everyone involved.<br />
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== Non-clinical example ==<br />
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A community group invites people who have completed a difficult training programme to share stories of what helped them continue.<br />
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Witnesses reflect on the values they heard, the images that stayed with them, and how the stories affected their own sense of possibility.<br />
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This creates public recognition of effort and identity.<br />
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== Clinical example ==<br />
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A young person who has been known mainly through a risk story shares how they have been working to reconnect with school, repair relationships and resist self-critical thoughts.<br />
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A small group of carefully chosen witnesses listens and reflects on the courage, care and hope they heard.<br />
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The young person then speaks about what it was like to be seen in this way.<br />
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== Step-by-step process ==<br />
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# Clarify the purpose of the ceremony.<br />
# Gain informed consent from the person or family.<br />
# Decide who will tell the story.<br />
# Choose witnesses carefully.<br />
# Prepare witnesses for their role.<br />
# Invite the story to be told.<br />
# Ask witnesses to respond using a respectful structure.<br />
# Invite the person or family to respond to the witnesses.<br />
# Reflect on the meaning and effects of the ceremony.<br />
# Consider creating a therapeutic document to preserve the story.<br />
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== Questions before using this method ==<br />
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* What story is ready to be witnessed?<br />
* Who should be present?<br />
* Is the process safe and consensual?<br />
* What might feel exposing or risky?<br />
* What preparation do witnesses need?<br />
* What cultural or relational meanings should be considered?<br />
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== Questions during use ==<br />
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* What story would you like others to understand?<br />
* What values are important in this story?<br />
* What stood out to you as you listened?<br />
* What image or phrase stayed with you?<br />
* What did this connect with in your own life?<br />
* How were you moved by hearing this?<br />
* What was it like to hear these reflections?<br />
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== Questions after use ==<br />
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* Did the ceremony strengthen the preferred story?<br />
* Did the person feel seen and respected?<br />
* Did the witnesses remain within their role?<br />
* Was consent and emotional safety maintained?<br />
* What should be remembered or documented?<br />
* How might this story continue to be supported?<br />
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== Related epistemologies ==<br />
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[[Narrative epistemology]]<br />
[[Social constructionism]]<br />
[[Poststructuralist epistemology]]<br />
[[Postmodern epistemology]]<br />
[[Relational epistemology]]<br />
[[Dialogical epistemology]]<br />
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== Related schools and models ==<br />
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[[Narrative]]<br />
[[Systemic Therapy]]<br />
[[Dialogic]]<br />
[[Conversational]]<br />
[[Community Systemic Practice]]<br />
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== Related concepts ==<br />
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[[Definitional ceremony]]<br />
[[Witnessing questions|Witnessing]]<br />
[[Outsider witness practice|Outsider witness]]<br />
[[Preferred story]]<br />
[[Alternative story]]<br />
[[Thickening the plot]]<br />
[[Narrative identity|Identity construction]]<br />
[[Relational responsibility]]<br />
[[Meaning-making]]<br />
[[Stories lived vs stories told]]<br />
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== Related techniques ==<br />
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[[Witnessing questions]]<br />
[[Outsider witness questions]]<br />
[[Re-authoring questions]]<br />
[[Thickening questions]]<br />
[[Preferred story questions]]<br />
[[Reflective comments]]<br />
[[Therapeutic letter|Therapeutic letter questions]]<br />
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== Related pathways ==<br />
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[[Narrative pathway]]<br />
[[Dialogic pathway]]<br />
[[Conversational pathway]]<br />
[[Power and culture pathway]]<br />
[[Family and relational dynamics pathway]]<br />
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== Key theorists / contributors ==<br />
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[[Michael White]]<br />
[[Barbara Myerhoff]]<br />
[[David Epston]]<br />
[[David Denborough]]<br />
[[Alice Morgan]]<br />
[[Jill Freedman]]<br />
[[Gene Combs]]<br />
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== Key texts / references ==<br />
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* White, M. (2007). ''Maps of Narrative Practice''. Norton.<br />
* Myerhoff, B. (1982). Life history among the elderly: Performance, visibility, and remembering. In J. Ruby (Ed.), ''A Crack in the Mirror: Reflexive Perspectives in Anthropology''. University of Pennsylvania Press.<br />
* White, M. (1995). ''Re-authoring Lives: Interviews and Essays''. Dulwich Centre Publications.<br />
* Denborough, D. (2008). ''Collective Narrative Practice''. Dulwich Centre Publications.<br />
* Morgan, A. (2000). ''What Is Narrative Therapy? An Easy-to-Read Introduction''. Dulwich Centre Publications.<br />
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== Notes / source material ==<br />
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Definitional ceremony should not be used casually.<br />
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It can be powerful, but it requires careful consent, preparation and emotional safety. The aim is not performance for its own sake, but meaningful recognition of identity, values and preferred stories.<br />
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<blockquote><br />
'''Review status'''<br />
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'''Status:''' Open for review<br />
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'''Review history:'''<br />
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