Sept 22, 2026 – Level 1: Tree of Life
Sept 22, 2026 – Level 1: Tree of Life
Event Date
September 22, 2026
Event Time
10:00 am
Event Location
This is an ONLINE EVENT, Hosted on Zoom, Eastern Time CANADA US
Event Description
TREE OF LIFE is a narrative practice methodology developed in 2006 by Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo (Phola) and David Denborough (Dulwich Centre). Over the past two decades the methodology has been used in several counselling, mental health and psychosocial services, and community settings in many different parts of the world. It has helped persons of all ages to talk about the stories of their lives in ways that make them stronger by focusing on the second stories of their lives – i.e. stories of hopes, values, dreams, skills, resistance, survival . . . and more. This in turn gives hope, encouragement and support for them to talk about and tackle their ‘storms of life’ … if they so choose.
This Level 1 full-day training will offer a comprehensive introduction to the Tree of Life (TOL) methodology including:
- covering the history of how Tree of Life was first developed to support children affected by HIV and AIDS
- learning about important Narrative Therapy principles that inform the methodology
- learning the following four key parts of the TOL approach:
Part 1: Tree of Life – drawing, creating and sharing trees of life
Part 2: Forest of Life – Each tree is stuck on wall to produce a beautiful forest
Part 3: Storms of Life – Using ‘storms’ metaphor to explore the effects of problems on people’s lives
Part 4: Certificates – Presentation of certificates and celebration
- an introduction to the Imbeleko model
Participants will also engage in experiential learning activities throughout this workshops including drawing and creating their own ‘Tree of Life’.
Level 2 TREE OF LIFE – Extend the learning and further develop your skills on September 23, 2023
About the facilitator
Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo is an internationally renowned psychologist and narrative therapist based in Johannesburg, South Africa. With a degree in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe and a master’s degree in Narrative Therapy & Community Work from the University of Melbourne, she has dedicated her career to developing culturally sensitive mental health interventions. She co-developed the Tree of Life methodology in 2006, a narrative therapy approach now used in over 40 countries globally. Ncazelo is the founder of PHOLA, which delivers community-based healing and resilience programs and corporate packages to enhance team cohesion.
Her leadership has earned global recognition: in April 2025 she won the People’s Choice Award for Non-Profit and Social Enterprise, the Women in Therapy and Counselling Services Award, and was runner-up for the Golden Heart Award at the Women Changing the World Awards in London. She will also host the Women Changing the World Global Awards – South Africa.
Download pdf of Ncazelo Ncube’s 2006 paper ‘Tree of Life project: Using narrative ideas in work with vulnerable children in Southern Africa’ published by Dulwich Centre Publications.
Additional info . . .
STUDENTS – At checkout in ‘discount code’ enter STUDENT10. Also in the ‘additional info’ box please include your student info – i.e.: Name of institution and program of study
For groups of 3 or more, please register together in one transaction and at checkout in ‘discount code’ enter GROUP10. One main person can be registrant, and please type info (name, email, address) for other group members in the ‘additional info’ box
Cancellations will be accepted if requested in writing at least 14 days prior to the event. A 10% admin fee will be deducted from the amount to be refunded.
We regret that a refund cannot be offered after the cancellation date, but a colleague may be substituted for attendance.
Certificates of Training can be requested at the end of the online workshop and will state 6 hours of narrative therapy training. Certificates can be used to qualify for eligibility for continuing education credits from professional colleges and licensing boards. Please contact your own college or association to confirm requirements.
Lunch from 12:45 to 1:30 PM [ET] and there will be a morning and an afternoon break