Tree of Life - A Workshop Methodology for Children, Young People and Adults

The Tree of Life is a psychosocial support tool based on narrative practices. The methodology helps avoid re-traumatisation (sometimes called secondary traumatisation) that can be caused by the retelling of the original trauma without the appropriate support. Instead, the Tree of Life helps participants strengthen their relationships with their own history, their culture, and significant people in their lives in a positive way. “The Tree of Life experience allows children and adults who are severely affected by disease, poverty, violence and conflict to tell, hear, and explore stories of loss without remaining trapped in expressions of negativity or grief. It simultaneously opens up spaces and opportunities to tell, hear and explore stories of hope, shared values and connection to those around them as well as to those who have died.”

The Tree of Life methodology was co-developed through a partnership between REPSSI (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) in southern Africa and Dulwich Centre Foundation in Australia. Drawing on previously published editions, this revised and updated “Third Edition for a Global Audience” is based on input from a Tree of Life “Training of Trainers” workshop held in Chennai, India, that was co-facilitated by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and REPSSI.

The approach was initially developed to work with children affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. However, it can be used to support:

• Children in school and other social settings where they spend their time, for example, in community-based safe-spaces or children’s clubs
• Paraprofessionals working with groups of children affected by conflict and war
• Children who have lost parents or other loved ones due to armed conflict
• Refugees and immigrants
• People whose communities have suffered from a natural disaster
• Young people and adults, especially women, who have experienced domestic violence, abuse, trafficking, or other forms of exploitation
• Mental health practitioners working with adults who are experiencing mental health struggles

As explained in the manual, the methodology uses different parts of a tree as metaphors to represent the different aspects of our lives. “It involves people drawing their own ‘Tree of Life’ in which they get to speak of their ‘roots’ (where they come from), their skills and knowledge, their hopes and dreams, and the special people in their lives. The participants then join their trees into a ‘forest of life’ and, in groups, discuss some of the ‘storms’ that affect their lives and ways that they respond to these storms, protect themselves, and each other. The use of metaphors and carefully formulated questions invites children and others to tell stories about their lives in ways that make them stronger and more hopeful about the future.” The manual is structured according to these metaphors: Creating our Trees, Forest of Life, Storms of Life, and Our Trees/Our Lives.