The Ministry of Education’s Counseling Psychological Services (CPS)
Facilitated by Hyam Tannous and Irit Leviatan, Educational counselors and formerly regional CPS supervisors.
The narrative approach enables a “life story,” which serves as a tool for developing intercultural dialogue. It aims to instill skills for listening, while fostering protected discourse on controversial topics. Thus, it is extremely relevant to Israeli society, which comprises different, tension-ridded sectors. First and foremost, by fostering dialogue that provides space for a multiplicity and diversity of opinions, with an emphasis on the personal-human story, the “other’s” narrative. The “other” is seen as strong and unique – not from a critical or judgmental point of view, but rather as emerges from the narrative.
The technique for managing or facilitating such conversations originates from the narrative approach, which is based on listening, not knowing, externalizing and resonating the problem on hand, while enabling painful narratives to be shared and heard and constructing alternative and preferred versions. A safe space is created, in which participants are welcome to share their feelings (frustration, anger, and sorrow), while also encountering the “other’s” feelings and views.
The role of the teacher/facilitator is to create a space for sharing different views, while protecting the participants and encouraging them to share their narratives. Furthermore, the help participants explore new perspectives and approaches to the stories, and help them re-interpret the conflict.
During the workshop, participants underwent an attempt to change their perceptions, their assigned meanings, and feelings, by listening and conversing with their peers.