Fiction writing as metaphor for research : a narrative approach

Abstract

Over past few years narrative therapy has come to the fore within world of therapeutic work. Many professionals working within helping professions are using this approach in their daily therapeutic conversations with people. The question remains: How is it possible to do research from a narrative approach? In this article I would like to apply approach Fiction Writing as Metaphor for Research: A Narrative Approach (Muller, Van Deventer & Human, 2001) as a way of conducting narrative research on therapeutic conversations. Firstly, I shall state my own therapeutic and research positions, and then apply this approach by using it as a way of reflecting on therapeutic conversations between Martin Vosloo and myself over a oneyear period. Martin is a white South African male, 44 years of age, and the virus (HIV / AIDS) has accompanied him since 1991. He has thus been living with the virus as a companion for 12 years.