Self-Discovery Tapestry By Phyllis J. Meltzer, M.S.G., Ph.D.

Excerpted from the Self-Discovery Tapestry Leader’s Guide, by Phyllis J. Meltzer, Ph.D.

Copyright © 2000 by Phyllis J. Meltzer. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Introduction

Purpose of the Self-Discovery Tapestry

The purpose of this unique instrument is to provide an opportunity for clients and therapists to acknowledge and review the client’s life nonverbally using colored pens and paper and to help clients and therapists analyze the many patterns one utilizes in coping with life’s changes.  Interviews and conversations used in conjunction with the Self-Discovery Tapestry encourage the client to discover accomplishments, firmly held values, and coping styles.  The form permits individuals to “weave” their lives, disclosing continuous behaviors as well as critical events for colorful and meaningful life reviews.  The instrument does not claim to have curative or healing capabilities. 

The Self-Discovery Tapestry is particularly beneficial to individuals who have recently experienced an important transition, such as the loss of a relationship, work position, or physical capacity and to 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. 

Therapists and counselors who use the Self-Discovery Tapestry are urged to complete one themselves; they will discover other possibilities and questions they may wish to ask clients that relate to their own life histories. 

The Self-Discovery Tapestry becomes a valuable tool when administered toward the beginning of the therapy process to help clients discover meaningful elements and to document transitions in their lives.  Almost all clients devote intense concentration to completing their Tapestries. 

Theoretical Background

One theory in occupational therapy literature indicates that individuals attempt to discover their “authentic selves” (Yerxa, 1967) as they pursue their occupational careers (Black, 1976).  Adaptive behaviors are incorporated by the individual as life events occur.  Life span literature indicates that both continuity theories (Atchley, 1989) and critical-events theories (Levinson et al, 1978 Neugarten, 1988) have relevance to adult lives.  Individuals add and discard roles and occupations while seeking to maintain a balance or homeostasis in their lives. Critical events not only may force a significant alteration in how individuals perceive their life courses, but also, following documented periods of turmoil and confusion (Osherson, 1980), may demand that adaptive behaviors be assimilated if a meaningful continuation of life is to occur. 

The Self-Discovery Tapestry incorporates life span theories, and is an outgrowth of the principles of occupational science (Clark, et al., 1991; Yerxa, et al., 1989; Zemke & Clark, 1996).  It encourages clients to identify meaningful segments of their lives while indicating elements of past and wished-for continuity as well as critical events as they seek the realization of their “authentic selves” (Yerxa, 1967).  The goal of occupational science is to systematically study the human as an occupational being (Clark, et al., 1991) and promote research on human occupation. Clark et al. (1991) defined occupation as “chunks of culturally and personally meaningful activity in which humans engage that can be named in the lexicon of the culture” (p. 301).  This definition highlights the importance of personal meaning as well as cultural and societal context in which occupation and occupational careers occur.  Narrative discourse (Mattingly, 1991; Polkinghorne, 1988) between the client and therapist encourages insight, disclosure of information, and possible adaptive strategies. 

Clinical Needs

Occupational therapists and counselors in other disciplines will benefit from the use of the Self-Discovery Tapestry because it encourages disclosure of information from the client in a nonthreatening manner and in a brief amount of time.  Other life assessment instruments are utilized by occupational therapists; however, few elicit life-review information nonverbally or in color.  The Tapestry permits clients to visually illustrate their own continuing occupational patterns and analyze adaptive behaviors surrounding critical events.  The Self-Discovery Tapestry invites clients to represent past events through the medium of color and then interpret those past events. 

With this instrument, both clients and therapists are able to perceive elements of continuity, discontinuity, and changes in the client’s life.  Therapists then have a concrete basis upon which to formulate meaningful client-based therapeutic goals. 

In addition, the instrument may encourage participants to create strategies that incorporate future occupational interests and activities — things they find meaningful and of value — in formulating occupational goals following the onset of impairment or change.  The Self-Discovery Tapestry offers clients a unique opportunity to evaluate themselves with minimal intervention and guidance so that their self-knowledge is increased and awareness of work and leisure occupations and patterns are formulated.