John Launer is a retired family physician and family therapist, now working as a full-time educator and writer. He has taught internationally on the application of narrative ideas and skills to medical practice including patient encounters, supervision and teamwork. His posts include honorary lifetime consultant at the Tavistock Clinic in London and honorary associate professor at University College London. He is the author or editor of ten books including "Narrative-Based Practice in Health and Social Care: Conversations Inviting Change" and writes a regular column for the British Medical Journal. For more details see www.johnlauner.com.