Trauma treatmentMultiple and chronic trauma

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

You are more than your trauma. NET helps people with multiple or chronic trauma build a coherent life story, so the past loses its overwhelming force.

What is NET?

Narrative Exposure Therapy was developed for people who have lived through several traumatic experiences, such as refugees, war survivors, or people who experienced repeated abuse or violence. Where other trauma therapies focus on one specific memory, NET works with the whole life story.

Traumatic memories are stored in fragments, without a sense of time or context. NET helps to order them into a coherent narrative: a timeline of your life, with the difficult moments as well as the good ones.

Scientific basis: NET was developed by Schauer, Neuner & Elbert (2005) and is recognised by the WHO as an effective trauma treatment, specifically for people with multiple trauma. Its effectiveness has been shown in more than fifteen controlled studies worldwide.

How does NET work?

Psychoeducation

You learn how trauma affects the brain and why memories are stored in fragments. That alone often brings relief.

The life line

With a rope, stones and flowers you literally lay out your life line: stones for painful experiences, flowers for good moments. Your life as a whole.

Building the narrative

Step by step you tell your life story in chronological order. Your provider helps you integrate the traumatic memories with the rest of your life.

Exposure through the narrative

While you talk through the traumatic experiences, exposure takes place as well. The emotional charge decreases as you tell the story more often.

The document

You receive a written version of your life story. Evidence: this is what happened. And you survived it.

Who is NET for?

Multiple traumaChronic PTSDRefugees and asylum seekersWar survivorsLong-term abusePolitical violenceFormer child soldiers (as adults)Repeated domestic violence

NET can also be used with people who did not benefit enough from EMDR or other trauma treatment because of the complexity of their trauma history.

Related complaints

PTSD Trauma Anxiety disorder Dissociation Grief

Related treatments

EMDR Imaginal exposure CBT Exposure in vivo

Frequently asked questions

How long does NET take?

NET is a relatively short treatment: on average 8 to 12 sessions of 90 minutes. That is strikingly short for people with complex trauma histories.

Is NET suitable if my Dutch is limited?

Yes. NET was originally developed for use with interpreters in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. It can be applied effectively with a professional interpreter.

Can NET be combined with other treatment?

Yes. NET is also used for people who did not benefit enough from EMDR or other trauma treatment because of the complexity of their trauma history. Your provider will discuss the order with you.

Getting started with NET

Your story deserves a place

Book an intake with a provider who has expertise in multiple trauma and NET.

Book an intake All treatments

Sources: Schauer, Neuner & Elbert (2005) · WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013 · Neuner et al. (2004), Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology