Narrative Therapy for Teens and Young Adults in Fort Wayne
Everyone carries a story about who they are. Sometimes that story gets written by other people, by hard experiences, or by a label that stuck: “the anxious one,” “the screwup,” “too sensitive.” Narrative therapy helps you notice that story, question it, and write a version that fits who you actually are.
At Unwilted Counseling, Destina Rekeweg, LMHC, brings narrative therapy ideas into sessions with young people ages 13 to 25, in person in Fort Wayne and online across Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio. Book a free 15-minute consultation or call or text (260) 255-6432.
“The person is not the problem. The problem is the problem.”
This idea, central to the narrative therapy developed by Michael White and David Epston, shapes every session.
From Problem Story to Preferred Story
Narrative therapy pays close attention to the stories people tell about their lives. Here’s how a story can shift over the course of therapy:
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The problem story: “I’m just an anxious person. Anxiety ruins everything for me. I’ve always been like this, and I always will be.”
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The preferred story: “Anxiety shows up a lot, especially around school. But there were times I didn’t let it decide for me, like when I went to that interview anyway. I’m someone who keeps showing up, even when anxiety is loud.”
Nothing about the past changed. However, the second story includes moments the first one ignored, and that changes what feels possible next.
What Happens in Narrative Therapy
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Externalizing the problem. You give the problem a name, like “the Worry” or “the Critic,” so you can look at it from the outside instead of treating it as part of who you are.
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Mapping its influence. You explore how the problem shows up, what it convinces you of, and when it tends to win.
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Finding exceptions. Narrative therapists call these “unique outcomes,” the times the problem didn’t get its way. They’re often small, and easy to overlook.
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Re-authoring. You connect those moments into a new storyline that reflects your values, strengths, and hopes.
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Making it stick. Sometimes this includes writing, letters, or other documents that capture the new story so you can return to it.
What an Externalizing Conversation Sounds Like
Here’s a short example of how narrative therapy might sound in a session with a teen:
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Destina: You said the Worry was really loud this week. What has it been telling you?
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Teen: That if I go to the party, everyone will think I’m weird.
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Destina: Has the Worry been right about that before?
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Teen: Not really. Last month I went, and it was fine.
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Destina: So you went, even with the Worry talking. What does that say about you?
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Teen: I guess I can do stuff even when it’s loud.
Small conversations like this don’t make the Worry disappear. Instead, they create distance from it and build evidence for a different story.
How Narrative Therapy Fits at Unwilted
Narrative therapy is one of several approaches Destina draws on, alongside EMDR, emotion-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, IFS-informed work, and practical coping skills. Narrative ideas often fit naturally with trauma-informed care, because they help people see themselves as more than what happened to them.
It also reflects Unwilted’s commitment to inclusive and affirming care. Narrative therapy pays close attention to how culture, family expectations, and labels shape the stories others hand to young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth and neurodivergent clients.
What the Research Says
Therapists use narrative therapy widely, but its research base is smaller than that of approaches like CBT. In a 2011 study published in Psychotherapy Research, Lynette Vromans and Robert Schweitzer gave 47 adults with major depression eight sessions of narrative therapy. By the end, 74% showed reliable improvement in depressive symptoms, and those gains held at a three-month follow-up.
That study had no comparison group, and it involved adults. So at Unwilted, Destina never uses narrative therapy on its own as a stand-in for other well-studied methods. Instead, Destina weaves it into a broader plan.
Who Often Finds Narrative Therapy Helpful
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Teens carrying a label. If people call you “the difficult one” or “lazy,” narrative work separates you from the label. Self-esteem and identity counseling often includes this.
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Young people exploring identity. For LGBTQ+ youth and anyone figuring out who they are, narrative therapy makes room to tell your own story. Learn about teen and young adult counseling.
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Trauma survivors. Narrative ideas can help you see yourself as more than what happened to you. Read about trauma therapy at Unwilted.
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People stuck in a low-mood story. When depression says “it’s always been this way,” narrative work looks for the exceptions. See depression and mood disorder counseling.
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Anyone in a big life changes. Graduations, breakups, and moves can scramble your sense of self. Life transition counseling helps you write the next chapter.
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Young people after a breakup. A breakup can rewrite how you see yourself. Relationship and breakup counseling helps you reclaim your side of the story.
For Parents
Many teens open up more easily when the problem isn’t framed as them. Talking about “the Anger” or “the Worry” lets your teen discuss hard things without feeling blamed, and it can give your family a gentler way to talk at home.
For clients ages 13 to 17, parents meet with Destina briefly at intake and receive general progress updates. The details of what your teen shares remain private, unless there’s a safety concern. When it’s clinically helpful and your teen agrees, Destina may invite you to a session.
About Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
Destina’s own story with this work started in 2019, supporting young people in community mental health and social service settings. In 2024, she opened Unwilted Counseling, where she’s the only therapist and works exclusively with ages 13 to 25.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She’s EMDR trained, IFS-informed, and has completed ASIST suicide intervention training. Destina is an Indiana Licensed Mental Health Counselor (license #39005463A) and a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors. She doesn’t prescribe medication but can coordinate with a prescriber.
Visiting, Fees, and Policies
Sessions take place at 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815, which has free parking and accessible facilities. Clients come from Fort Wayne, Allen County, New Haven, Huntertown, and Leo-Cedarville. Office hours run Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can also meet through virtual therapy, using encrypted video in your browser with no download and no recording. During online sessions, you need to be in Indiana or an eligible part of Ohio, through the Counseling Compact. Many clients switch between online and in-person sessions as their schedules change.
The 50-minute intake assessment costs $160, and ongoing 50-minute sessions cost $135. Longer intensives cost $202.50 for 75 minutes, $270 for 100 minutes, or $405 for 150 minutes. Unwilted is private pay and doesn’t bill insurance, but you can request a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Payment options include card, HSA or FSA card, cash, check, or the client portal.
You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act. Cancellations need 48 hours’ notice, though Unwilted waives the late fee if you reschedule within the same week.
How to Start Narrative Therapy
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Reach Out: Call, text, email, or use the contact form to book a free 15-minute phone consultation. You’ll hear back within 24 business hours.
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Complete Intake Forms: Secure online forms arrive about 48 hours before your first visit and take 15 to 20 minutes.
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Meet for Your Assessment: In a 50-minute first session, you and Destina talk about your story so far and what you’d like to change.
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Begin Regular Sessions: Most clients start weekly, then move to every other week or monthly as things improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is often helpful when a problem has started to feel like part of your identity. It’s commonly used for low self-worth, identity questions, trauma, depression, and big life changes. It also works well for people who feel defined by labels, diagnoses, or other people’s expectations.
No. Narrative therapy is about stories, but most of the work happens through conversation. Some people enjoy writing letters or journaling between sessions, and others never write anything. Destina adapts the approach to what feels natural to you, whether that’s talking, writing, or something else.
It can be. Externalizing, naming the problem as something separate, often helps teens talk without feeling blamed. Narrative therapy also respects young people as the experts on their own lives. Since research with teens is still thin, Destina combines it with other established approaches.
Many therapies focus on symptoms or thought patterns. Narrative therapy focuses on the stories you tell about yourself and where those stories came from. It treats you as the expert on your own life, while the therapist asks curious questions that help you find overlooked strengths.
Yes. Narrative therapy is conversation-based, so it works well over secure video. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in Indiana and in eligible parts of Ohio. You’ll need a private space and a stable internet connection, and you can switch between online and in-person sessions.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Ready to Write Your Next Chapter?
Your story isn’t finished, and the hard parts don’t get to write the ending. Book a free 15-minute consultation with Destina to see if narrative therapy fits. Contact Unwilted Counseling, or call or text (260) 255-6432.
