From Soul Care for Self-Injury: Theological Reflection and Spiritual Care Strategies by Amy Panton

Introduction

The Healing Tree exercise is a powerful art-based intervention that allows individuals to externalize their experiences, strengths, and hopes in a visual format, providing a unique perspective on their personal growth and recovery journey (1). This creative approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with self-injury, offering a non-verbal means of expression that is especially valuable when emotions or experiences are difficult to articulate in words.

The tree metaphor provides a framework for understanding personal growth and resilience, potentially shifting focus from past wounds to future possibilities. Moreover, the act of creating art itself can be a healthy alternative to self-injury, offering a constructive way to channel emotions and reduce stress.

Materials needed:

• Large sheet of paper
• Colored pencils, markers, or paint
• Optional: magazines for collage, glue

Steps:

1. Draw the outline of a large tree on your paper. Include roots, trunk, branches, and leaves.

2. Roots: In and around the roots, write or draw things that ground you or have supported you in your journey.

3. Trunk: On the trunk, represent your core strengths and values.

4. Branches: Let the branches represent different aspects of your life or different paths you're exploring in your healing journey.

5. Leaves: On the leaves, write or draw hopes, goals, or positive changes you've experienced or wish to experience.

6. Wounds/Scars: Represent past hurts or challenges on the tree. These could be shown as healed scars on the bark or as areas where new growth is emerging.

7. Protective Bark: On the trunk or branches, draw or write about coping strategies or protective factors that help you resist urges to self-injure.

8. Environment: Around the tree, you might draw or collage elements that represent your support system or things that nourish your growth.

Reflection:
After completing your tree, take some time to reflect on what you've created. What stands out to you? Are there areas you'd like to develop further? How does this tree represent your journey of healing from self-injury? What new coping strategies or sources of support have you identified through this exercise?

For Practitioners and Spiritual Care Providers:

When guiding individuals through the Healing Tree exercise:

1. Preparation: Ensure you have all necessary materials ready. Create a calm, safe environment for the activity.

2. Introduction: Explain the purpose and metaphor of the Healing Tree, emphasizing that there's no "right" or "wrong" way to create it.

3. Guidance: Offer gentle prompts for each part of the tree, but allow individuals to interpret and express themselves freely.

4. Support: Be prepared to offer emotional support if difficult feelings arise during the process.

5. Respect boundaries: If an individual is hesitant about certain aspects (e.g., representing self-injury scars), respect their choice and offer alternatives.

6. Encourage reflection: After completion, guide a thoughtful reflection process. Ask open-ended questions about their creation and what it means to them.

7. Connect to treatment: Help individuals relate insights from their Healing Tree to their broader treatment goals or spiritual journey.

8. Follow-up: Consider revisiting the Healing Tree in future sessions to track progress and changes over time.

9. Confidentiality: Ensure the individual understands that their artwork and reflections will be kept confidential.

10. Self-care: Remind individuals to practice self-care after the session, as the exercise can stir up intense emotions.

Remember, while this exercise can be a valuable tool in the healing journey, it should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, particularly for those actively struggling with self-injury. Always prioritize the individual's safety and well-being throughout the process.
 
(1) Cathy A. Malchiodi, "Expressive Therapies: History, Theory, and Practice," in Expressive Therapies, ed. Cathy A. Malchiodi (New York: Guilford Press, 2005), 1-15.