About the Self Discovery Tapestry

This unique instrument was designed to provide an opportunity for students and clients to review their lives using their memories, colored pens, and their analytical skills to discover the many patterns they utilize in adapting to life’s changes.

Interviews and conversations used in conjunction with the Self-Discovery Tapestry may encourage individuals to discover accomplishments, firmly held values, and coping styles. Students and others may use the instrument effectively as the basis for conducting life-review interviews with clients, older adults, and small groups. The form permits individuals to “weave” their lives, visually disclosing continuous occupational behavior patterns as well as critical events that may yield colorful and meaningful life reviews. Adaptive behaviors surrounding critical events can be analyzed.

The Self-Discovery Tapestry is particularly beneficial to individuals who have:

Recently experienced important transitions, such as the loss of a relationship, work position, school change, or physical incapacity as well as those who are seeking redirection in their lives.
Clients who have sustained a life-altering illness or injury, such as stroke, amputation, or spinal cord injury, can benefit by completing the Tapestry and discussing adaptive possibilities with their therapists.
Individuals dealing with the progression of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, etc., may also receive benefits by reviewing their lives, affirming their accomplishments, and discovering adaptive strategies for the future.

In addition to students and people with impairments, the Tapestry has been used successfully as a life-review instrument by a variety of individuals such as hospice patients, retirement counselors, church groups, and corporate managers. Strategies for planning for the future are an integral part of the Self-Discovery Tapestry.

Therapists and counselors who use the Self-Discovery Tapestry with individuals or groups are urged to complete one themselves: they may discover other possibilities and follow-up questions to ask students and clients that relate to their own life histories.

It's for therapists and group leaders who are:

Interested in guiding their clients toward positive empowerment
Searching for better ways to help clients cope with life's changes
Leaders of support group and special interest groups
Teachers of students interested in discovering effects of life course
events
Guiding clients in their search for meaning through their life histories
Helping clients explore new career and life-path possibilities

The Self Discovery Tapestry is used by:

Instructors and Researchers
Personal Historians
Mental Health Professionals
Students
Artists
Criminologists

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