In the process of changing their lives by changing their stories, narrative group members are urged to __________ problems in order to solve them.

In the process of changing their lives by changing their stories, narrative group members are urged to __________ problems in order to solve them.

• A. forget about
• B. internalize
• C. bracket
• D. externalize

Answer: (D)

Externalizing the problem is the move. In narrative group work, the problem is treated as something separate from the person, not a flaw inside them. By naming and naming-scrutinizing the problem, members gain distance, see how it shows up in patterns and choices, and practice new responses without self-blame. This shift makes it possible to rewrite stories—recognize influences, set boundaries, and take actions that reduce the problem’s grip. Forgetting about the problem would ignore its impact; internalizing would fuse the problem with the self, making change harder; bracket isn’t the approach used here. Externalizing best supports changing lives by changing stories.

Externalizing the problem is the move. In narrative group work, the problem is treated as something separate from the person, not a flaw inside them. By naming and naming-scrutinizing the problem, members gain distance, see how it shows up in patterns and choices, and practice new responses without self-blame. This shift makes it possible to rewrite stories—recognize influences, set boundaries, and take actions that reduce the problem’s grip. Forgetting about the problem would ignore its impact; internalizing would fuse the problem with the self, making change harder; bracket isn’t the approach used here. Externalizing best supports changing lives by changing stories.