In narrative exposure therapy, what is the primary goal regarding fragmented traumatic memories?

In narrative exposure therapy, the primary goal regarding fragmented traumatic memories is to transform these isolated and disjointed sensory and emotional pieces into a coherent, integrated, and contextualized autobiographical narrative. Fragmented traumatic memories are bits of an overwhelming event, such as a sudden sound, a strong smell, or an intense feeling, that were stored without a clear beginning, middle, or end, lacking a sense of time, place, and connection to the person's overall life story. Narrative Exposure Therapy, or NET, addresses this by guiding the individual to verbally construct a complete, chronological account of the traumatic experience, from beginning to end. This process helps to make the memory coherent by giving it a logical flow and sequence. It becomes integrated by connecting this specific traumatic event with other experiences in the person's life, rather than existing as a stand-alone, unmanageable memory. The memory is contextualized by understanding when and where it happened, allowing the individual to differentiate between past danger and present safety. By achieving this transformation, the once overwhelming and disconnected memory fragments become a processed part of the individual's personal life history, reducing their power to intrude uncontrollably and enabling psychological healing.