"Great workshop! I learnt a creative way to explore family history, values and ambitions without having to talk at length."

 

 

The map of verbal description does not fully represent the territory of lived experience.

Jennifer Freeman 

 

Course overview:

This one-day workshop introduces therapists to the theory and techniques to bring the Tree of Life  creative arts tool to their clients. This method is a narrative therapy and strength-based tool suitable to use with clients aged eight years and older.  You will also be able to create your own Tree of Life in this workshop.

 

The Tree of Life can be used after trauma when clients are weighed down by their ‘problem story.’ When a client is struggling with symptoms such as negativity and ruminations, or finding it hard to reflect on their strengths, or value-laden hopes for the future, this technique can bring a healing perspective. The resulting artwork is enjoyable to draw and a concrete and beautiful symbol of achievements, skills, knowledges, cherished hopes for the future, and what values are held dear. It supports remembering connections with important people in our lives and can be a springboard for identity renewals.

 

This workshop is experiential and will provide evidence-based therapeutic tools to use in brief and longer-term therapy, and enhance your ways to manage trauma in a creative way. No art experience or skills is required.

 

You will have the opportunity to:

• Develop an understanding of the Tree of Life Method - a strength-based creative arts intervention
• Explore how identity renewal can be enhanced through this expressive art
• Experience Narrative Therapy’s ‘alternative’ story development, to help people reclaim their lives from the grip of the ‘problem’ story
• Experience the power of telling your story in your own way, using structured and safe questions
• Reflect how, as a worker, you are also on a journey, and have learnt important skills from family and community members
• Bring to awareness your own strengths and dreams which can enhance self-care and resilience through hard times
• Take home your own symbolic tree drawing and have the workshop manual to support your practice with clients  

What ideas are explored?

• What is the Tree of Life method?
• What theory informs this work?
• Does this work for all ages?
• How can I use this method in safe and respectful ways?

Training methods will include:

• Interactive presentation
• Large and small group discussions
• Creation of your own Tree of Life
• Reflection opportunities with structured strength and narrative style questions
• Reflection opportunities for application of methods

 

Who Should Attend?

All those working in a counselling, teaching or case work capacity who want to work in more engaging, strength based and creative ways. Psychologists, school counsellors, social workers, counsellors, youth workers, case workers, teachers and group facilitators, pastoral workers, other allied health professionals and students of these disciplines will find this technique valuable in the gathering of stories of strength and community skills and values. Provisional psychologists can attend at student rates.

 

Workshop Facilitator

Kim Billington - Masters in Counselling, Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work, Bachelors in Education

 

Workshop Dates

SYDNEY - 2^nd April or 23^rd September, 2020

MELBOURNE - 23^rd July  or 19^th November, 2020

Workshop Venues

SYDNEY Burwood RSL Club, 96 Shaftesbury Rd, Burwood, NSW

 

MELBOURNE Centre for Theology and Ministry - 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC

Affordable accommodation option close to centre

 

Workshop Details

Included in the workshop price:

• 6 CPD hours 
• Comprehensive Bound Seminar Workbook
• Certificate of Attendance
• Lunch, Morning & Afternoon Teas
• GST
• 9am - 4pm Training
• Early bird savings for bookings made two months prior to training.

Workshop Cost

Regular Price        $330

Early Bird              $300 (paid 2 months prior to workshop)

Student Price        $270

Student Early Bird $250 (paid 2 months prior to workshop)

Work Paying?

Lucky you!

Send us an email requesting an invoice via the contact page with your name, the dates and name of course/courses you'd like to do and the name of your organisation who you want us to invoice and we will send you an organisational invoice and a registration form.

What people are saying about ...

Tree of Life

The training workshop was..

 

√..Great! Kim was a wonderful and engaging presenter. I have learnt a lot about how to use this in my therapy work.

 

√..practical and experiential.

 

√..clear demonstration of great tools to use with young people and to support direction through creativity and drawing.

 

√..a good way to learn about a person (client) rather than seeing them for their referral or presenting issue. Great to get the bigger picture and understand where they come from.

 

√..Great session. Interactive. Generated thought and reflection.

 

√..a useful art therapy approach suitable to a wide range of clients and able to be adapted.

 

√..Framework to open discussion. Feels safer to discuss personal information using the tree, Visual is powerful and can be built on – like the ‘work-in-progress’ feel.

 

√..I’m working with a 10 & 12yr old at school and this will be a great tool!

 

√..The storytelling was emotive and powerful. I like the curious nature of this tool.

 

√..Very resourceful. Backs up my knowledge and gives me confidence to continue.

 

√..was an excellent training - valuable to counselling role and useful tools.

 

√..Fantastic presenter - loved the practicality of it.