“Only the tree that has endured the assaults of the wind is truly vigorous, for it is in this struggle that its roots, put to the test, grow stronger.”
Seneca
My encounter with the Tree of Life was a gift along my path. I knew that I wanted to help people achieve greater serenity in their lives, and I had been interested in different methods of personal development for several years when I discovered this wonderful therapeutic approach.
Restoring pride, building resilience
Inspired by the work of Michael White and David Epston on Narrative Practices, the Tree of Life method was invented by Australian social worker David Denborough and Zimbabwean child psychologist Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo to support survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
It is a simple and elegant approach that allows traumatised individuals to talk about their lives in terms that empower them rather than traumatising them at every stage of their story. From the roots to the fruit, via the trunk, they use the different parts of the tree as a metaphor to tell their life story. In this way, they redesign a “straight and proud life” for themselves by connecting with their values, talents and hopes.
An accessible and universal tool
Introduced in France by Pierre Blanc-Sahnoun in 2010, the Tree of Life method has since been taken up by Dina Scherrer, who uses it with intuition, humour, and kindness.
In her book Accompagner avec l’Arbre de vie. A narrative practice for restoring self-esteem (Interéditions, 2024), Dina Scherrer demonstrates the power of this accessible and universal tool, which enables people to rebuild themselves through an alternative, more positive story that honours their strengths and aspirations. By drawing their Tree of Life, individuals break free from a dominant narrative that traps them and blinds them to their potential, allowing them to regain confidence and boldness.
The principles of the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life method won me over with its beauty and its ability to put people back in control of their lives.
Working with the Tree of Life means believing that people are best placed to move forward on their own path, and that we could not have done better in their place. It means listening deeply, without judgement, with benevolent curiosity. It means strengthening people in the trials they face by reminding them of everything they already have at their disposal to cope with them.
Supporting people with the Tree of Life means helping them build a narrative that empowers them by supporting their desire for change. It means helping them reintroduce choice and movement into their lives.
By drawing their Tree of Life, people become aware of their potential, of what they have already been through or accomplished. This reawakens their interest in their own lives and supports their drive for transformation.
Using the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is an ally in a wide variety of contexts. It can be used to support individuals or groups (families, associations, companies, etc.), to accompany life transitions, to improve self-esteem, to consolidate a group, to bring someone out of isolation, and more.
To create your Tree of Life, all you need is a goal. You can use the Tree of Life to clarify your goals, free your expression, work on your lack of confidence or self-esteem, give new meaning to your life and work, get to know yourself better, find a new professional identity, achieve your projects, and more.
The Tree of Life is a journey to the heart of your own life. It allows you to reconnect with your strengths and with important values that may not have been honoured. It allows you to explore possibilities and open up new horizons. The Tree of Life sets things in motion again.
The benefits of the Tree of Life
Drawing your Tree of Life allows you to regain hope in a project, in your personal or professional life, and to regain faith in the future. It can be a decisive step during a time of transition.
Creating your Tree of Life is a way of looking at your history differently, with pride. It is a way of revisiting situations of shame or exclusion, shedding new light on them. It means revisiting moments of vulnerability and giving them new meaning, seeing how they have helped shape the person you have become.
The Tree of Life is a tool for resilience because it strengthens people’s ability to overcome life’s difficulties. It allows them to reconnect with a sense of confidence and boldness.
Try the Tree of Life
If you would like to discover what the Tree of Life can do for you, I would be delighted to assist you. Please feel free to contact me using the form or send me an email at info@magnoliaway.com.