![]() They didn’t share a title, so I have taken the liberty of giving it one.įor more ideas and tips about art in therapy, be sure to sign up for the newsletter: If you try this activity in your work, I’d love to hear how it goes! Please comment below.Ĭredit to Bess Green, LPC-AT/S, ATR-BC and Deann Acton, LMFT, ATR-BC for sharing this directive in their presentation on trauma and art therapy. I have more than once heard someone say that they were surprised that they could come up with so many things for their leaves. I have seen clients thoughtfully sit and think until they are able to come up with more ideas, ask other group members to give them feedback about their personal strengths, and share coping strategies with each other in order to fill in all the leaves. However, the goal of filling in several leaves can encourage someone to spend more time thinking of possibilities. If you just ask someone to list their strengths or coping skills, they may initially respond with only a few things. It also works well for clients who are naturally cognitively-oriented as an art therapy directive that they will be more comfortable with.ĭrawing several leaves on the tree first and then having to fill them all in can help clients to stretch their thinking. The cognitive-symbolic nature of this art exercise can be helpful for clients who may need something to activate the higher levels of brain functioning or who need practice with slowing down and looking at things step by step. In addition, the self-symbol of a strong, resilient tree that is created can be meaningful to clients who may have trouble connecting with their own strength. The steps of the art process and the structured task of “listing” strengths and coping tools help to activate the more cognitive aspects of the brain. On each leaf write one thing that helps you get through a difficult time – this can include personal strengths, coping strategies, enjoyable activities, and supportive people.Ĭolor, paint, or decorate your tree as you wish (picture 3). At the end of the branches, draw several large leaves, making them large enough that you can write in each one (picture 2). This will become the base of your tree – your arm is the trunk of the tree and the fingers are the beginning of branches.Īt the end of the open finger tips, extend the drawing to create more branches. Trace your arm and hand, leaving the tips of the fingers open (picture 1). Lay your hand on the paper, fingers spread, with part of your arm on the paper as well. I have seen it be helpful for clients with a variety of struggles, including trauma, depression, serious mental illness, and substance abuse recovery. Although I haven’t tried it with children yet, I think this could easily be used with most ages. After doing this exercise myself at a workshop, I have tried it with some individual clients and with adult groups, always getting a positive reaction and good engagement. I wanted to share an art therapy directive that I recently learned that is a great way to help reinforce strengths and positive coping. In addition to talking, art can be a great way to explore and build a client’s personal strength. We want them to know that they can successfully get through a difficult time by using their inner talents and strengths, leaning on the support of others, and taking positive steps to cope with their emotions. As therapists, we often spend time helping our clients to identify these strengths or build up their coping strategies. All of us have strengths that get us through difficult times, but we sometimes have trouble recognizing that they are there or remembering to draw on them.
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