Foundational Stories
A Clinician's Guide
Foundational Stories
Foundational Stories are the core vignettes that make up one's life story. Out of the millions of events that we live, we selectively remember those which most closely ally with our life narrative. Thus there is a synergism between foundational stories and life story: the vignettes we live shape our life narrative; and our life story helps determine the vignettes we remember. Changing the emotional tone or the lesson in foundational stories can alter the trajectory of our life story.
A Clinician's Guide to Foundational Story Psychotherapy
2020
Dr. Hugh Marr has recently authored a book for psychotherapists. Illustrated with case examples and biographical vignettes from years of clinical practice in a variety of settings, A Clinician's Guide to Foundational Story Psychotherapy outlines the importance of foundational and life stories in treatment, and delineates new techniques for co-assessing and changing stories. Integrating theory and practical applications, the book is a valuable resource for both practicing and student psychotherapists. Foundational Story Psychotherapy is published by Routledge/Taylor&Francis (2000), and is available both from the publisher and wherever psychotherapy books are sold. Order your copy today.
About the Author
Hugh Marr, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice. Before entering private practice, he worked in all phases of community mental health (outpatient adult and child services, family therapy, alcohol treatment, emergency services director, etc.) culminating in running a partial hospital program in Fairfax County, VA. for clients with the co-occurring disorders of substance use and major mental illness. Although he specializes in helping people with issues of trauma, substance use, and relationship, people bring a wide range of concerns from personal growth to serious mental illness. He helps people understand and change their life stories.
In addition to his private practice, Hugh also provides consultation and supervision to other mental health professionals and consults to healthcare facilities. He has taught archetypal theory as well as courses in trauma therapy, family therapy, and substance abuse counseling to graduate students in psychology and counseling at Argosy University, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and George Washington University. Hugh co-authored the books An Introduction to Archetype (CAPT, 2002) and What Story Are You Living (CAPT, 2009) with Dr. Carol Pearson; and developed the PMAI (Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator) with her.
Most recently Hugh authored a book for clinicians: A Clinician’s Guide to Foundational Story Psychotherapy: Co-Changing Narratives, Co-Changing Lives (Routledge, 2020). He is currently completing a workbook called Finding Your Story to help people understand their life stories based upon a combination of his foundational stories work; and on his and Carol’s archetypal psychology work. It will be published by CAPT.
