Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
At Supportive Counseling, LLC, we offer Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)—a structured, evidence-based trauma-processing approach designed for people who have experienced multiple or ongoing traumatic stressors, including interpersonal violence, domestic violence, developmental trauma, and other life-threatening or high-impact experiences. NET helps organize traumatic memories into a coherent life story so your nervous system can begin to recognize: the trauma is not happening now—it happened then.
We provide NET sessions through:
Secure Telehealth (Florida & Colorado)
Walk & Talk Therapy (select Florida locations), when clinically appropriate and preferred
If you have felt “stuck,” overwhelmed by reminders, or exhausted by carrying too much for too long, NET offers a compassionate, step-by-step way to process trauma without asking you to do it alone.
What NET Helps With
NET may be a good fit if you are experiencing trauma-related symptoms such as:
intrusive memories or nightmares
avoidance or feeling “shut down”
hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
strong shame, guilt, or negative self-beliefs
emotional overwhelm or numbness
relationship difficulties after trauma
NET was developed with a strong understanding of complex and cumulative trauma and is often helpful when trauma occurred across multiple periods of life, not just a single event.
How Narrative Exposure Therapy Works
NET follows a structured, gradual, three-step model. Sessions are typically 90–120 minutes, and the work progresses in a predictable, supportive way.
Step 1: Structured Intake + Trauma Psychoeducation (1–2 sessions)
We begin with a structured interview and checklists to understand:
the types of stressors/traumas you have lived through
your current symptoms and coping patterns
what safety and support you need for trauma processing
This step is designed to feel predictable and contained, with clear explanation of the process and plenty of space for questions.
Step 2: The Lifeline (1 session)
Next, we create a visual timeline (“lifeline”) of your life from birth to present. You’ll use:
flowers for positive, strengthening experiences
stones for painful, frightening, or traumatic events
The lifeline helps us organize your story without diving into “hot” trauma details too soon. It becomes the map that guides our NET sessions.
Step 3: Narrative Exposure (about 6–14 sessions)
In NET sessions, we build your story chronologically, linking the “hot” parts of memory (sensations, emotions, body reactions) with the “cold” parts (time, place, and context). We gently and repeatedly contrast “then” vs. “now” so your brain can file the memory correctly—reducing the power of triggers over time.
A key feature of NET is that your narrative is reviewed and refined across sessions, and you are supported throughout—there is no expectation that you do trauma work alone between sessions.
NET via Telehealth (Online Trauma Therapy)
Supportive Counseling, LLC is a fully virtual practice serving women across Florida and Colorado, and NET can be effectively delivered through secure telehealth when appropriate. Telehealth NET includes the same structured steps, with additional planning for privacy, safety, and session flow so you feel supported and grounded.
NET via Walk & Talk Therapy (Select Florida Locations)
For some clients, walking side-by-side can feel less intense than sitting face-to-face. Walk & Talk sessions may support openness, grounding, and regulation—especially when trauma symptoms include high anxiety, restlessness, or feeling “trapped” in the body.
Walk & Talk NET-informed sessions are:
planned with clear boundaries and a consistent route
paced for privacy and emotional safety
structured to ensure you remain present and supported
Walk & Talk is offered when clinically appropriate and when confidentiality and safety can be reasonably protected.
What Makes Our NET Approach Different
At Supportive Counseling, LLC, NET is delivered with a warm, structured, trauma-informed style—centered on:
emotional safety and pacing
informed consent and transparency
evidence-based trauma processing
a deep respect for your story and resilience
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is NET?
NET is commonly delivered in a brief, structured model (often around 8–16 sessions total, depending on history and needs), with sessions typically 90–120 minutes.
Will I have to talk about everything in detail?
NET is trauma-processing therapy, so you will narrate key events. However, the work is structured, paced, and guided—you are not asked to “dump” everything at once. We build safety first and proceed step-by-step.
What if I dissociate or shut down?
We plan for this. NET screening and monitoring commonly include attention to dissociation so treatment can be paced safely.
How do we track progress?
We may use brief, evidence-based measures to monitor symptoms and functioning over time.
Ready to Explore NET?
If you are looking for trauma therapy that honors your story while helping your nervous system finally exhale, we are here to support you.