Story Shift Toolkit Handouts
The Narrative Lens
What is Narrative Counseling?
Helping students separate themselves from their struggles to rebuild healthier, more positive identity stories.
💡 "The student is not the problem. The problem is the problem."
The Table Paradigm Shift
❌ Instead of asking: “What's wrong with this student?”
✅ We ask: “What strengths do they have, and how can we help them move forward?”
Mindset & Identity
Key Counselor Beliefs
Behavior is not identity. A student is a complex individual, not a single behavioral label.
Resilience is always present. Even in heavy struggles, every student has past success stories.
Preferred Identities
Capable Resilient Caring Connected
"I am more than my mistakes."
Counseling Practice
Technique 1
Externalize the Problem
Separate struggle from child to lower defenses.
Instead of: “You are disruptive.”
Try: “Looks like frustration took over today.”
Technique 2
Look for Exceptions
Search for moments of success to show they have agency.
Try Asking: “Tell me about a time you handled this differently. What did you do?”
Why It Matters
Reduces Shame Lowers student defensiveness.
Strengthens Trust Deepens trust with adults.
Self-Awareness Helps students self-regulate.
Restorative Goals Promotes accountability over punishment.
The Goal When students know they are authors of their own lives, they take ownership of rewriting their stories.
