Life story work is a therapeutic process that helps individuals make sense of their past and understand how it shapes their present. It’s particularly valuable for those who have experienced trauma, family separation, or major life transitions.
I spoke with Tham Fuyana, a therapist with extensive experience in life story work, to explore its impact. His passion for this work was clear from the start.
“Life story work is a therapeutic intervention that enables individuals to better understand their personal history and how it impacts their present experiences. I see it as a healing process, especially for those who’ve experienced trauma.”
Tham’s journey into life story work began in 2013 when he started working with children in foster care and adoption. Many of them carried unspoken questions, fragmented memories, and complex emotions. Through life story work, Tham helped them piece together their narratives in a safe and structured way.
“Many children in care deal with family secrets, guilt, shame, and even loyalty to abusers. Life story work provides a safe space to explore these emotions, process difficult experiences, and build a clearer sense of identity.”
The Process of Life Story Work
Each life story journey is unique, but Tham follows a structured approach to help individuals process their past while reinforcing their sense of self.
- Present – My Life Right Now
- Exploring home, school, friendships, and interests to build trust.
- My Birth – All About Me
- Using creative exercises to explore early life, like looking up what song was #1 on their birthday or famous people they share it with.
- Genogram – My Family Tree
- Mapping out family relationships, cultural connections, and significant dynamics.
- Understanding Needs & The Past
- Using factual, child-centred language to discuss difficult experiences.
- Avoiding vague phrases like “Mummy is poorly”—instead, explaining situations clearly, in a way that makes sense to the child.
- Timeline – My Journey
- Creating a visual representation of key life events to help process memories.
- My Future – What’s Next?
- Encouraging children to set goals and understand that their story is still unfolding.
Throughout the process, Tham often writes therapeutic letters to summarise the child’s journey, reinforcing progress and validation.
Why Storytelling Matters in Therapy
For many children in care, their history feels confusing and fragmented. Life story work isn’t just about recording facts—it’s about making sense of emotions, finding meaning, and fostering healing.
- Helps process trauma in a safe, structured way.
- Strengthens identity by piecing together personal history.
- Builds trust and connection with caregivers and therapists.
One of Tham’s most memorable cases involved a young girl who resisted talking about her past. Slowly, through life story work, she started to make sense of her experiences. Eventually, she shared her life story book with her foster parents, which deepened their bond and provided a sense of closure.
Challenges & Overcoming Resistance
Some clients hesitate to revisit painful memories, and that’s completely natural.
“My role is to create a safe environment and gently guide them at their own pace,” Tham explains.
- Building trust is key—forcing the process doesn’t work.
- Using creative methods like storytelling, drawing, and writing helps make difficult conversations feel safer.
- Therapists need to hold space for clients while ensuring they have the right support
Life story work is valuable for:
- Children and young people in foster care or adoption.
- Individuals who have experienced trauma or family separation.
- Anyone seeking to understand their identity and personal history.
Tham encourages anyone exploring life story work to approach it with an open mind.
“It’s not about fixing everything at once—it’s about understanding your story, sitting with your emotions, and finding healing in the process. And most importantly, work with a therapist you trust.”
For therapists, he emphasises the importance of supervision and reflection. Holding a client’s life story is a deep responsibility, and having the right professional support is crucial.
As life story work continues to evolve, more creative approaches—such as digital storytelling and art-based techniques—are making it even more accessible. Tham recommends Life Story Therapy with Traumatized Children by Richard Rose and Life Story Work: Why, What, How and When by Tony Ryan & Rodger Walker for those interested in learning more.
Ultimately, life story work is about making sense of the past so individuals can move forward with clarity and confidence.
“Your story matters, and healing is possible.”
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