The Tree of Life is a rich and meaningful story and art-based group activity that uses a tree as a metaphor for life. Each part of the tree - the roots, the ground, the trunk, the branches - represents a different aspect of our lives. This activity helps connect us to our past, present, and future and to what sustains us in life. 

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The Tree of Life is based on a process introduced in 1984 by Sally Timmel and Anne Hope. In 2006 it was adapted by Ncazelo Ncumbe in Zimbabwe and David Denborough from Australia's Dulwich Center to reflect Narrative Therapy principles and to respond in culturally appropriate ways  to the needs of Southern African children traumatized  by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Since then has been used all over the world and has been adapted in a variety of ways. It has, for example, been used with children and adults who have experienced grief and trauma, and in organizational settings to help staff teams clarify and strengthen personal and shared values.

 

 The Tree of Life workshop helps strengthen people's relationships to their own stories, culture, and history. The better we know our own stories through the crafting and telling of them, the better able we are to stand tall in our roots. The more we know and tell our own stories and hear the stories of others, the better able we are to join together in community.

 

IN THIS WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

 

• Experience the benefits of the process through creating their own tree as well as a collective forest of trees;

 

• Learn about the theory behind the Tree of Life and about different applications;

 

• Explore ways of incorporating the process into individual and family life and/or into organizations' delivery of services.

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DELIVERY OPTIONS

This workshop is available as a 1-day or 2-day process to individuals who register in our public workshops, or on-site through requests from organizations and communities.