Definitional ceremony
Definitional ceremony
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Short definition
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.
Level
Expanded definition
Definitional ceremony is a narrative practice influenced by the work of anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff and developed in narrative therapy by Michael White.
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.
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.
The person or family then has the opportunity to respond to the witness responses.
Definitional ceremony helps preferred stories become more visible, socially recognised and richly described.
Purpose of this method
The purpose of this method is to support the public or relational acknowledgment of preferred identity.
It can help people:
- feel seen beyond the problem story
- experience their values as recognised
- strengthen preferred stories
- reduce isolation
- mark important transitions
- honour survival, resistance or care
- build community around change
When to use this method
Use this method when:
- a preferred story is ready to be witnessed
- the person wants others to hear a different story
- there is a meaningful transition or ending
- community or family witnessing would be helpful
- the problem story has isolated the person
- change needs to be socially acknowledged
- witnesses can participate safely and respectfully
How this method works
A definitional ceremony usually has three parts.
First, the person, family or group tells their story.
Second, outsider witnesses respond using a careful witnessing structure.
Third, the person, family or group reflects on what it was like to hear the witness responses.
The therapist facilitates the process and protects the dignity, consent and safety of everyone involved.
Non-clinical example
A community group invites people who have completed a difficult training programme to share stories of what helped them continue.
Witnesses reflect on the values they heard, the images that stayed with them, and how the stories affected their own sense of possibility.
This creates public recognition of effort and identity.
Clinical example
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.
A small group of carefully chosen witnesses listens and reflects on the courage, care and hope they heard.
The young person then speaks about what it was like to be seen in this way.
Step-by-step process
- Clarify the purpose of the ceremony.
- Gain informed consent from the person or family.
- Decide who will tell the story.
- Choose witnesses carefully.
- Prepare witnesses for their role.
- Invite the story to be told.
- Ask witnesses to respond using a respectful structure.
- Invite the person or family to respond to the witnesses.
- Reflect on the meaning and effects of the ceremony.
- Consider creating a therapeutic document to preserve the story.
Questions before using this method
- What story is ready to be witnessed?
- Who should be present?
- Is the process safe and consensual?
- What might feel exposing or risky?
- What preparation do witnesses need?
- What cultural or relational meanings should be considered?
Questions during use
- What story would you like others to understand?
- What values are important in this story?
- What stood out to you as you listened?
- What image or phrase stayed with you?
- What did this connect with in your own life?
- How were you moved by hearing this?
- What was it like to hear these reflections?
Questions after use
- Did the ceremony strengthen the preferred story?
- Did the person feel seen and respected?
- Did the witnesses remain within their role?
- Was consent and emotional safety maintained?
- What should be remembered or documented?
- How might this story continue to be supported?
Related epistemologies
Narrative epistemology Social constructionism Poststructuralist epistemology Postmodern epistemology Relational epistemology Dialogical epistemology
Related schools and models
Narrative Systemic Therapy Dialogic Conversational Community Systemic Practice
Related concepts
Definitional ceremony Witnessing Outsider witness Preferred story Alternative story Thickening the plot Identity construction Relational responsibility Meaning-making Stories lived vs stories told
Related techniques
Witnessing questions Outsider witness questions Re-authoring questions Thickening questions Preferred story questions Reflective comments Therapeutic letter questions
Related pathways
Narrative pathway Dialogic pathway Conversational pathway Power and culture pathway Family and relational dynamics pathway
Key theorists / contributors
Michael White Barbara Myerhoff David Epston David Denborough Alice Morgan Jill Freedman Gene Combs
Key texts / references
- White, M. (2007). Maps of Narrative Practice. Norton.
- 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.
- White, M. (1995). Re-authoring Lives: Interviews and Essays. Dulwich Centre Publications.
- Denborough, D. (2008). Collective Narrative Practice. Dulwich Centre Publications.
- Morgan, A. (2000). What Is Narrative Therapy? An Easy-to-Read Introduction. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Notes / source material
Definitional ceremony should not be used casually.
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.
Review status
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