In this workshop Sara reflects on her work with children, youngsters and adults who suffer from life threatening diseases and the negative impact of medical treatment. Through the use of beads she create a safe therapeutic space to talk about their painful, traumatic or difficult experiences and thoughts. During the sessions patients string together different stories about illness, life and identity. With a string of beads they document their knowledge, skills and hopes. Sara applies this approach in a narrative therapy group of young people who have a diagnosis of cancer at The University College Hospital in London (UCH). They called themselves ‘Just Bead it’ and through the programme they wished to share their hard won knowledges with others. Now these young people help to co-facilitate future groups.

This UCH approach is helpful for people with any kind of traumatic or difficult life experience that dominate their lives. It can be used with individuals as well as in a group setting. In contexts of traumatic experiences or life histories, using ‘Beads for life’ can create alternative storylines that promote ‘a sense of agency and coherence’. It helps people to regain authorship of their own lives.

In this workshop you will learn and practice the ‘Beads of life’ approach and discover the possibilities in different contexts.

De deelnemers verwerven kennis en inzicht over de Beads of Life benadering bij ernstige ziekte, ingrijpende gebeurtenissen en traumatische ervaringen bij kinderen, jongeren, gezinnen en hun netwerk. Ze kunnen met de verschillende ingangen en processen aan de slag zowel individueel, met het gezin of in groep zodat zich verrijkende en meer coherente verhalen ontwikkelen over de gebeurtenissen en 'personal en relational agency' bevorderd worden. Ze kunnen op het einde van de studiedag met de Beads of Life aan de slag.