Teresa is a counsellor and narrative therapist who works closely with individuals, couples, families and children. She brings deep care and presence to her work with anyone affected by abuse, violence or social injustice, helping them see that these experiences are not personal failings but the product of unequal systems and societal pressures. Through narrative dialogue, Teresa walks alongside clients as they reclaim their voice, identity and sense of safety, offering support, understanding and hope as they navigate the complexities of life and healing.
The Cedar of Life metaphor and narrative therapy operate together to provide a flexible framework for indirect therapeutic dialogue, supporting gentle engagement with trauma, particularly for survivors of family and domestic violence. The Cedar of Life approach invites individuals to view their experiences through a strengths-based lens, honouring their lived experiences and cultural heritage. In Lebanese culture, qualities such as wisdom, resilience and resourcefulness are abundant but often overlooked or underappreciated, especially within sensitive narratives of abuse, violence and their effects – topics rarely discussed openly despite their prevalence. Through the Cedar of Life, individuals are invited to reconnect with their own narratives without letting trauma define them. The process both acknowledges and challenges dominant discourses. The approach unfolds across five symbolic stages, guiding participants as they reconnect with their narratives, reframe their experiences on their own terms, and navigate their histories in ways that affirm and uphold their voice, agency and evolving identity. The Cedar Tree is an adaptation of the Tree of Life with deep cultural significance. It embodies fortitude, adaptability and continuity – mirroring in the everyday actions of survivors. From a third-voice perspective, the Cedar of Life weaves Lebanese heritage, sacred symbolism and a therapeutic path for survivors, reflecting a profound respect for both culture and the person. The Cedar is not centred on itself; rather, it stands as a witness to the pain and suffering of others and awakens a tender empathy for those affected, while fostering a shared commitment to witness and challenge the structures that sustain family and domestic violence. The Cedar of Life affirms the survivor’s continuity, upholds their identity and cultivates hope, nurturing a collective narrative of healing while respecting individuality. The Cedar of Life process acknowledges the profound interconnections between identity, survival and community support.
Key words: Lebanese; Lebanon; cultural metaphor; family and domestic violence; Tree of Life; narrative practice; narrative therapy
Taouk, T. (2025). The Cedar of Life [Video]. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (2), https://doi.org/10.4320/RXNI2677
Author pronouns: she/her
References
Denborough, D. (2008). Collective narrative practice: Responding to individuals, groups and communities who have experienced trauma. Dulwich Centre Publications.
Kaminsky, M. (1992). Myerhoff’s “third voice”: Ideology and genre in ethnographic narrative. Social Text, (33), 124–144. https://doi.org/10.2307/466437
Ncube, N. (2006). The Tree of Life Project: Using narrative ideas in work with vulnerable children in Southern Africa. International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, (1), 3–16.