Therapeutic Conversations 23
Practice. Politic. Purpose.
Sacramento, California
A World Class Narrative Therapy Affair
October 8th - 11th, 2025
Photo: Danielle O'Connor Akiyama
FREE PRE-CONFERENCE AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
October 8th, 2025
1 PM - 4 PM
Narrative Therapy informed Relational Interviewing (NIRI)
with Conflicted Couple Relationships:
Stephen Madigan (Canada)
A practice of NIRI involves a deliberate political, philosophical, and ideological practice shift towards an ecology of interlocking ideas and narrative practices supporting:
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Non-individualism/non-essentialism.
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Relational-contextual inter-connectivity.
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Move from Me to We consciousness.
NIRI practice invites couple therapy towards deeper appreciations of the couple relationship’s relationship with:
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Relational interconnectedness
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Cultural and contextual complexities.
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Social rituals, governing norms, and dominant beliefs.
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Structural inequalities, power relations.
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Relational responsibilities, obligations, and expectations
The workshop demonstrates a series of step-by-step videos of Stephen working with couples in Canada, Norway, and the USA.
Responding to Systemic Violence against Trans and
Gender-Expansive Communities:
Moderator: Rock Nylund (USA)
Clinical Training Director, Gender Health Centre
Dr. Malakai Coté: Executive Director, Gender Health Center
Ari Lozano: Director of Mental Health, Gender Health Center
Charlie Hutchinson: Counseling Program Manager, Gender Health Center
The panel features clinicians from the Gender Health Center exploring how therapists can advocate for transgender and gender-expansive clients amid escalating anti-trans legislation and systemic oppression. Panelists will highlight community and therapeutic practices that center on dignity and collective organizing. The discussion highlights therapists’ roles in affirming trans identities and fostering agency and solidarity in today’s politically charged climate. Expect brilliant discussion on how to:
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Identify the impacts of systemic violence and anti-trans legislation on transgender and gender-expansive individuals.
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Explore narrative therapy and community-rooted practices that affirm trans identities, foster agency, and create community and solidarity.
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Examine the role of therapists as advocates and allies in resisting systemic oppression and supporting trans liberation within and beyond the therapy room.