Abstract
M.Ed.
This case study explored how the tree of life could be used as a narrative intervention tool with a Black adolescent girl who had been sexually abused in South Africa. The sample was limited to one participant who was engaged during therapy. This research inquiry aimed at discovering just how the tree of life could be applied as a tool in working with one of many adolescent girls in our scenario who have survived sexual abuse. The tree of life was applied in phases during brief therapy spanning eight sessions since I was limited by my practicum requirements regarding the length of therapy. The research was conducted from an overarching constructivist paradigm which facilitated insight into how the individual constructed and understood the world (Eloff & Ebersöhn, 2004). Within this paradigm lies a theoretical framework with two theoretical lenses namely, positive psychology which emphasizes positive experience and thinking drawing on personal assets to create a sense of well-being (Ebersöhn & Eloff, 2006). The second is critical psychology which encapsulates the African philosophy emerging in South Africa as opposed to westernized opinions previously adopted (Higgs & Smith, 2006). It also gives voice to those silenced, marginalised or oppressed such as sexually abused women. Then the Bio-ecological
Model of Bronfenbrenner, falling within bio-ecological theory, provided a framework to apply systems theory when examining the complexity of relationships of the participant within her systems (Bronfenbrenner, 2005).
The research design was a case study based on a single participant who was identified during my practicum. The selection of the participant was according to set criteria. The research method enabled the researcher to adopt dual roles as researcher-therapist and researcher-participant in order to understand the meaning the participant attributed. Keeping ethical research in mind, data was generated through a variety of sources namely, therapeutic sessions and accompanying artefacts as well as a feedback interview captured on video and audio-recorders. In order to explore the data generated from the intervention process I used interpretive phenomenological analysis according to recommendations by Smith (2008). Thus the data was explored for meaning, meanings were clustered and coded and findings were extracted falling under the main theme the Tree of life and sub-themes directly related to the phases of the tree of life. Other sub-themes were integrated into the main these concerning a Black adolescent girl in South Africa and the effects of sexual abuse. These themes were explained in terms of how the tree of life can be used as a narrative intervention tool and verification was achieved through a feedback interview with the participant a year after therapy was terminated.
The findings of the study were specific to this case but could contribute to the field of Educational Psychology in terms of psychotherapeutic interventions since it provides a tool to use when intervening with adolescents who have survived sexual abuse. The necessity for appropriate tools to work effectively within brief therapy has arisen for several reasons. Sexual abuse is rampant in South Africa, statistics of girls who receive no intervention are rising and resources are minimal. The study highlights the usefulness of the tool in terms of assessing change in the client and the client's wellbeing not only individually but across her context. It also provides evidence of contextual and cross-cultural needs regarding therapy.