The Tree of Life: Reclaiming Strength and Identity Through Narrative Therapy
Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown. You might be wondering: What will we talk about? Will I have to relive painful memories? What if I don’t know where to begin? The Tree of Life approach offers a different way to start—one that centres your strengths, your story, and your cultural roots.
What Is the Tree of Life?
The Tree of Life is a reflective and empowering exercise used in Narrative Therapy. Rather than focusing solely on problems or diagnoses, it invites you to explore your life through the metaphor of a tree—drawing on your experiences, values, relationships, and cultural heritage to tell your story in a new way.
Developed by Zimbabwean psychologist Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo in collaboration with the late David Denborough, the Tree of Life is a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach rooted in narrative therapy. It honors the wisdom of community and the healing power of storytelling.
This method draws inspiration from the baobab tree, often referred to as the “Tree of Life”—a sacred symbol in African and Caribbean traditions. With its wide trunk, deep roots, and ability to thrive in harsh environments, the baobab represents resilience, ancestral connection, and the strength found in community.
In times of adversity, the baobab reminds us that we carry within us the knowledge, courage, and support of those who came before us. This symbolism lies at the heart of the Tree of Life approach, encouraging individuals to reconnect with their roots, reclaim their narratives, and rediscover the enduring power within.
How It Works
In our sessions, you’ll be invited to draw or describe your own “tree,” with each part representing something meaningful:
Roots: Your family, culture, community, and ancestors
Ground: Where you live, people you live with, favorite places, songs, dances, and activities
Trunk: Your strengths, values, and skills
Branches: Your hopes, dreams, and goals
Leaves: Important people in your life
Fruits: Gifts & teachings that have shaped you
Storms: The challenges you’ve faced—and how you’ve survived them
You don’t need to be an artist or a storyteller. This is about reflection, not perfection.
Why It Helps
This process can help you:
Reconnect with your identity and cultural heritage
See your life through the lens of strength and resilience
Make sense of difficult experiences without being defined by them
Feel grounded, empowered, and supported
It’s especially helpful if you’ve experienced trauma, loss, or disconnection from your roots.
A Safe and Supportive Start
Whether this is your first time in therapy or you’re returning after a break, the Tree of Life offers a gentle, affirming way to begin. It’s a chance to explore who you are—not just what you’ve been through.
Integrating the Tree of Life approach into my practice has been transformative—not only for my clients but for me as a practitioner. It has deepened my understanding of how culturally responsive frameworks can foster healing that is both personal and collective.
In sessions, I’ve witnessed the quiet strength that emerges when someone rediscovers the roots that sustain them or names the dreams that have been waiting to bloom. The process reminds us that while life’s storms may bend our branches, they do not break our roots.
in Closing
The Tree of Life reminds us that our stories are not singular—they are multi-layered, ever-evolving, and rich with possibility. Like a tree, we are shaped by our roots, fortified by our core, and always reaching toward growth. Even when storms shake us, our roots—our culture, our community, our inner wisdom—remain steadfast.
Reconnecting with these roots is more than a personal act of healing. It is a reclamation of identity, a celebration of resilience, and a tribute to the generations who came before us. Through this process, we begin to see ourselves not as broken, but as whole—rooted in strength, woven with story, and capable of renewal.
In honouring our own tree, we also honour the forest we belong to: a collective story of survival, connection, and hope.
If this story resonated with you and you'd like to explore your own Tree of Life, I invite you to book an appointment.
References
Dulwich Centre. The tree of Life. https://dulwichcentre.com.au/the-tree-of-life/
Letman. J. (2024, June 25). The Baobab As Humanity’s Tree of Life.https://ntbg.org/stories/the-baobab-as-humanitys-tree-of-life/
