From the time humans first gathered together they used storytelling to entertain as well as to teach cultural and behavioral norms.

Stories serve an evolutionary purpose. They teach us how to live safely and to relate cooperatively, both of which were as vital for early humans as they are in todays world. Stories allow us to experience a dangerous situation, as well as its solution, from the safety of our chair. Stories can help us to navigate emotional threats in the same way.

The human brain is designed to think in stories. We not only think in stories but we even dream in stories. The narrative we have about our world and about ourselves is formulated in story lines. Humans are biologically wired for story. Storytelling can impart suggestions for change without engendering resistance from the listener. This makes it a valuable therapeutic and educational tool. Stories have been shown to have the ability to modify emotions as well as to teach new and more adaptive behaviors.

Amy Frankel Ph.D. offers a workshop on the “The Neuroscience of Storytelling: Why Stories Heal” which assists therapists and counselor educators understand how to utilize storytelling as well as how to develop their own therapeutic stories to share with clients and students.

She has also written a book entitled “The Land Across the Stream” which helps readers understand how to emotionally regulate through the use of mindfulness. She has made available an appendix which details six units describing how to use the book in a therapeutic or educational setting.