Turning Worry into Flowers: Exploring the Worry Tree in Therapeutic Practice
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling
In our recent Children & Young People module in the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling Course, students took part in a creative visualisation known as The Worry Tree. The exercise invites participants to walk, in their mind’s eye, along a path to a garden, where an ancient mystical tree stands at its centre. As they place their hands on the tree, they allow their worries to flow into it. The tree responds by transforming those worries into flowers—each one unique, each one a visual representation of something once held inside.
This powerful exercise isn’t just about calming the mind; it’s a tool our students can take into their future practice. When used with young people, it becomes both a visualisation and a creative painting task—supporting clients to explore and express what can often feel overwhelming. We reflected together on the importance of pacing here, particularly with younger clients, to ensure the experience remains gentle and contained.
Working in pairs, students took turns in the role of therapist, building connection and curiosity as their ‘client’ painted the tree and its flowers. In line with BACP recommendations, this approach centres play and creativity in therapeutic work—allowing young people to communicate in the ways that feel most natural to them.
Whether it’s a tree full of flowers or just one single bloom on a branch, what emerges can offer powerful insights—both for the young person and the therapist alongside them.
Written June 2025
