Singapore University of Social Sciences

Level: Advanced
Duration: 4 days
Dates: 22 - 25 April 2025
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences and via Zoom

Synopsis

This course is designed to focus on the building the skills of narrative practices with individual(s) and couples in family counselling. Participants will hone their skills in Narrative Therapy through role-plays and group activities in class. The course will feature key narrative ideas and practices, including recent developments in narrative therapy: externalising conversations, re-authoring conversations, outsider-witness practices, remembering conversations, listening for alternative storylines, and documenting change.

Who Should Attend

This programme is for professionals, both counsellors and social workers, as well as individuals embarking on a career switch into the social service sectors seeking to keep abreast of the developments in narrative therapy. 

Topics

• Introduction and history of Narrative Therapy
• Theoretical and Practice Innovations
• Understanding and Living Lives through Stories
• Exploring Problem Storylines
• Fundamentals of Narrative Therapy
• Narrative Therapy as Systemic and Flexible Stance
• Boundaries of Narrative Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Externalising Conversations
• Re-authoring Conversations
• Re-membering Conversations
• Definitional Ceremonies and Outsider-witnesses
• Conversations that Highlight Unique Outcomes
• Scaffolding Conversations
  
   
  

Objective

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Delineate the theoretical concepts and framework underpinning Narrative Therapy
• Discuss key narrative ideas and practices in Narrative Therapy
• Explain the integration of recent developments in Narrative Therapy to a given clinical context
  
  
  

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate the basic clinical skills needed in Narrative Therapy
• Develop strategies to gain competencies in Narrative Therapy skills
• Apply the Narrative Therapy technique(s)/skills appropriately in an individual or couple session
  
  
  

Schedule

Time	Agenda
Day 1
09:00 – 10:30	Introduction and history of Narrative Therapy
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:00	Theoretical and Practice Innovations
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15:30	Understanding and Living Lives through Stories Double Listening
15:30 – 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Exploring Storylines Activity: Exploring Our Storylines
16:30 – 17:30	Activity: Exploring Problem Storylines Double Listening Exercise
Day 2
09:00 - 10:30	Externalising Conversations
10:30 - 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:00	Activity: Externalising in Narrative Therapy
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15:30	Re-authoring Conversations
15:30 – 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Activity: Unique Outcomes and Re-authoring Conversations
16:30 – 17:30	Discussion
Day 3
09:00 - 10:30	Re-membering Conversations
10:30 - 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:00	Activity: Re-membering Conversations
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15:30	Definitional Ceremonies & Outsider Witness Practices Narratives of Strengths Conversations
15:30 – 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Activity: Definitional Ceremonies
16:30 – 17:30	Assessment
Day 4
09:00 - 10:30	Power and Privilege in Narrative Therapy Discourse Analysis
10:30 - 10:45	Break
10:45 - 12:00	Deconstructing Conversations
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch
13:00 - 15:30	Innovations in Narrative Therapy
15:30 - 15:45	Break
15:45 – 16:30	Activity: Tying Ideas Together
16:30 – 17:30	Assessment

Assessments

• Demonstration (1hr)
  • Submission of a transcript and video of 10 minutes where narrative therapy had been utilised
    • Decentred but influential position
    • Externalising conversations
    • Reauthoring conversations
    • Re-membering conversations
    • Outsider Witness conversations
• Reflection Paper (based on the audio transcript) (1hr)
  • Description of case and reflection of skills used and experiences of using the different Narrative skills
    • Skills used, and reflections on effects of using those skills (refer to list above)
    • Reflections on outcome of therapy session, and how Narrative theories are applicable
      
      

Requirements

• Degree in counselling, and at least 1 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work
• Degree in related fields (psychology, social work and education), completed the 5 foundational modules, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA
• Master in Psychology or Master in Social Work, at least 3 year experience in counselling and currently doing counselling work at an SSA and completed the foundational module Practicum: Specialised Counselling Skills
   
  

About the Trainer

Mr Mohamed Fareez Bin Mohamed Fahmy
Fareez is an accredited social worker (Master of Social Work, National University of Singapore), currently a Senior Assistant Director at AMKFSC Community Services Ltd, overseeing the Family & Community Support Division. As a social worker, he has worn many hats in direct practice (casework and counselling) as well as management. 

Fareez is an advocate for Narrative Therapy and Community Work, where I was a graduate with High Distinction of the inaugural Master of Narrative Therapy and Community from the University of Melbourne, and am currently an International Faculty Member of Dulwich Centre. He has conducted trainings in Narrative Therapy both locally and abroad in Toronto (Canada), Hong Kong, Israel (Tel Aviv & Jerusalem), Palestine (Ramallah), Chennai (India), and Kathmandu (Nepal). I have published various articles on the practice of Narrative therapy and community work. 

Fareez has keen interests in incorporating narrative, systemic and collaborative therapies to support individuals, groups and communities, facing multiple stressors. He was also the recipient of the Promising Social Worker Award in 2011, and the Prime Minister Social Service Award in 2012. In 2012, he was also awarded the Outstanding Newcomer Award under the Community Mediation Centre. 

 

Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
   
2. Application form
   
   

Course Fee

¹ Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
² Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.

• Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
• Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
• The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
• Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice

For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]