Origins, vision, and the first manual
Narrative-Emotional Reflective Therapy (NER) was born out of the conviction that modern psychology needs tools which are both deeply human and academically rigorous. Traditional psychotherapies often demand long years of training and certification, leaving many psychologists and counselors without accessible frameworks for practicing therapeutic dialogue. NER emerged as a response to this gap.
The method was first formally documented in the NER Manual, authored by Sergiu Popovici, which laid down the theoretical and practical foundations of this approach. The manual integrates narrative psychology, emotion-focused practice, and reflective pedagogy into a coherent model designed to empower professionals across fields.
The development and dissemination of NER is supported by M24 Labs GmbH, Munich.
NER emphasizes that personal stories are not static: they are dynamic constructions that can be explored, re-authored, and given new meaning. Through guided reflection, psychologists and clients uncover deeper layers of experience, fostering resilience, healing, and personal transformation.