Narrative thinking is a fundamental form of human knowing that has par
ticular relevance for the domain of psychotherapy. After reviewing the
historical and epistemic foundations of narrative knowing in the soci
al and behavioral sciences, we (a) outline several parallels between n
arrative knowing and constructivist epistemology, (b) describe some of
the salient features of emerging narrative approaches, and (c) sugges
t a central role for hermeneutics in future narrative-based conceptual
izations of the field. We suggested that by underscoring the storied n
ature of the human condition, narrative provides an integrative and co
ntextually sensitive framework for psychotherapeutic theory and practi
ce.