The Tree Theme Method in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Case Study

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the Tree Theme Method (TTM) as a method for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. The TTM is based on theories concerning creative activities and occupational storytelling and story making. In order to exemplify the method a case study of a treatment process with follow up was undertaken. The participant was a female client suffering from anxiety and depression. During an interview the client painted symbolic trees on five different occasions with specific variations of the tree theme: a tree symbolizing her present life, her childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and, finally, a tree representing her future. The trees were used as starting points for the client to tell her life story. The intention was that she would find new strategies for how to change her daily life. Three years later there was a follow up stage where the client painted new trees and told her story. Some life themes were identified. The TTM appears suitable for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. In future studies the TTM should be subjected to evaluation research based on several clients in order to develop a deeper understanding of the process and what kind of results changes in the TTM intervention may provide.

Outcomes of activity-based assessment (BIA) compared with standard assessment in occupational therapy

“…Their theoretical foundation was based on psychodynamic theory (9Á11), symbol theory (12), on occupational therapy integrating those theoretical perspectives (6,7,13), and on caring science (14,15). Moreover, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) served as an umbrella structure.…”

Sustainable enhancement in clients who perceive the Tree Theme Method® as a positive intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy

“…Occupational therapists may use creative activities as tools to assess clients' occupational performance and skills, as well as to enhance clients' functional skills and intrapersonal skills, and to facilitate personal growth (Griffiths & Corr, 2007). By using creative activities, the client may gain insights into their life and thereby develop new strategies for occupational performance (Creek, 2008;Gunnarsson, Jansson & Eklund, 2006). However, before implementing a method for intervention there is need to explore and evaluate the method in various ways to determine evidence of its effect.…”

“…The Tree Theme Method ® (TTM) (Gunnarsson et al, 2006) is an intervention based on creative activities (e.g., Peruzza & Kinsella, 2010) and occupational storytelling (Clark, Larsson & Richardson, 1996). The TTM comprises five sessions.…”

Activity-based assessment (BIA)—inter-rater reliability and staff experiences

“…For this purpose, an evaluation method was developed in the course of clinical work at the occupational therapy unit of the psychiatric services in Västerås, Sweden. The theoretical frameworks for the work at the unit were psychodynamic theory (8,9), occupational therapy (10,11), symbol theory (12,13), caring science (14,15), and the ICF (7). The relevance of founding psychosocial occupational therapy on complementary theoretical approaches has been noted by Bruce & Borg (16), Eklund (17) and Gunnarsson and associates (13).…”