Occupational Therapists' Perception of the Tree Theme Method^™ as an Intervention in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

Abstract

This study investigated how occupational therapists experience utilization of the Tree Theme Method, an intervention based on creative activities and life-story telling and making. The Tree Theme Method is comprised of five sessions in which the therapist asks the client to paint symbolic trees, with specific themes representing their present life situation, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the future. Nine occupational therapists in mental health care were asked about their experiences when using the Tree Theme Method. The informants formed two focus groups and each group was interviewed twice. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify five categories including: (1) therapeutic frames, (2) therapist requirements, (3) client requirements, (4) the therapeutic relationship, and (5) the Tree Theme Method as a multi-dimensional process. Overall the informants were satisfied with the intervention with some variation as to therapists' perception about the helpfulness of the tool. The Tree Theme Method was experienced as a structured method of starting a therapeutic process and initiating a therapist–client relationship. The therapeutic attitude, self-knowledge, and expert knowledge seemed to be important prerequisites for the therapists when using the Tree Theme Method intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• creative activities
• focus group
• mental health

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The study was financially supported by the Kronoberg County Council and the Swedish Research Council. Thanks to Carina Tjörnstrand for being a moderator in the focus groups, and the occupational therapists in Kronoberg County Council and Region Skåne, who participated in the study.