In this session we will explore how therapeutic storytelling can provide a space to empower children’s voices. You will learn about Bella’s Story- a co-authored narrative created in a therapeutic space by a young person, Makeysha, and her counsellor Skye. Bella’s Story has been published by the Australian Childhood Foundation. 

Through this story Makeysha voices a powerful message:

“Now Bella can tell the whole world her story. Then she can get more help and people will understand her. Bella thinks that this story will help other children to tell their story… Maybe it will make them not so scared to tell their story.”

Imaginary storytelling does not just provide a space for self-discovery, but also becomes a resource for children and young people who have experienced trauma to talk about their experiences, hopes and needs in a way that feels safe, empowering and authentic to them.

Stories make up the tapestry of our worlds; we seek to understand the world through story, and we create new possibilities through story. Imaginary storytelling, rich in metaphor and symbolism, provides a particularly powerful space for personal and social exploration; it enables us to remove ourselves from the often-harsh restraints of a confronting reality and reflect from a distance. Through metaphor we are able to connect to experiences, challenges and sides of ourselves that may have been pushed from consciousness.

When children speak up, we must listen and listen deeply. In just the same way that creative storytelling creates spaces for children to explore new ways to use their voice, it also provides opportunities for adults to find fresh ways to listen to their voices and create spaces where child/adult power dynamics can be dissolved, and children can tell their own stories in their own way.