New Zealand psychologists, explore the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability, a powerful theoretical lens for understanding recovery after life-altering events. This talk provides a foundation for staging treatment based on client capacity, fostering resilience and hope in mental health practice.
Experiencing trauma, illness, or loss often marks a significant turning point in a person's life. The resulting changes in identity, daily functioning, environment, and sense of self can be disorienting and difficult to navigate. Health professionals are often called upon to support individuals through this journey of recovery and rediscovery.
This talk introduces the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA), a theoretical model grounded in existential philosophy and motivation theory, offering a structured framework for understanding how individuals regain their sense of self and function after trauma or disruption.
The talk explores the model’s conceptual foundations and outlines the psychological processes that underpin motivation, engagement, and volition in therapy. The VdTMoCA provides practitioners with insights into staging treatment according to a client’s current capacity and emotional readiness, promoting therapeutic success and instilling hope.
This talk focuses on the theoretical framework of the model, laying the groundwork for clinicians interested in integrating VdTMoCA into rehabilitation and mental health contexts.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Describe the philosophical and theoretical foundations of the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability
Understand the psychological impact of trauma, illness, or loss on client functioning and motivation
Identify the stages of creative ability and their relevance to therapeutic engagement
Recognise how the model supports clients' movement toward self-reconstruction and functional reintegration
Reflect on how to apply the model’s principles in a variety of health and mental health settings