You’re sitting with a client, listening as they share their struggles.
They tell you about a conflict with their partner. A mistake at work. A worry that keeps them awake at night.
It's easy to get pulled into the details of their story. To focus on what happened, when, and why.
But what if the narrative isn’t the most important part?
Patterns and Function are hidden clues waiting for you:
Every time clients speak, they are telling you about more than an event—they're revealing patterns and function.
👀 "I trusted him. Look where that's got me."
👀 "I messed up at work this week again! "
👀 "I always end up apologising when I see her."
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- Pattern = Is this a theme of self-blame with this client?
- Function = Maybe this pattern helps them avoid challenges?
When we listen beneath the narrative, we start to see what clients are moving away from or what they want more of. We see how their thoughts, feelings and actions function for them.
Then the magic happens; we can see how the patterns function in the context of their whole life, and where change can help.
Four Steps to Stop Tracking Narratives and Start Tracking Function
Next time you’re in session, try to:
💡 Listen for themes – Instead of getting caught in the narrative, notice the repeating themes. What emotions, struggles, or thoughts appear on repeat?
💡 Notice belief patterns – Is their worldview shaped by self-blame, judgment or evaluations centred on themselves, others or the world?
💡 Pay attention to reason-making – What explanations do they use for their experiences? ("I’m this way because…")
💡 Spot rigid thinking – Do they speak in absolutes like "I can’t" or "I’ll never"? These statements often reveal repeated patterns.
Once you start seeing patterns and functions, you can help your clients see them. You can support flexibility in their actions, creating space for change.
A Fast and Flexible Way to See Patterns and Function
Come along to my upcoming webinar on case conceptualisation and therapy planning, and we'll go deeper into function and context.
I’ll show you how to:
✅ Build a case conceptualisation that encompasses the whole person in the context of their lives (internal and external, past, present and future, self, social, cultural).
✅ Identify patterns in cognitions, feelings, actions etc
✅ Identify the function of behaviours, thoughts and feelings
✅ Collaborate with your client to create a therapy plan that fits them
Join me for my webinar on April 30th:
Beneath The Narrative: A Webinar To Help You Master Functional Case Formulation and Therapy Planning
It's in two time zones!
Looking forward to sharing this with you!
Warmly,
Dr. Louise Hayes
