The use of time lines and life lines in work with chronically mentally ill people

This article describes the use of two treatment tools, time lines and life lines, designed to be used with adults who have had lifelong experience with severe and persistent mental illness. The premise of work with these clients is that their developmental stages and tasks have been skewed by years of mental illness. By graphically charting their reminiscence of life events, many clients can be helped to integrate into society and to resolve negative life experiences. Examples are given for the use of these tools with clients and with family members.