Art Therapy tasks- Groups, Anger, and Goals

Group Mural in a Round

Materials- Large paper that the entire group can work on at one time, marker/ oil pastels/ chalk pastels/ crayons

Directions- Have every member close their eyes and take a line for a walk letting it meander about in every which way. Encourage the group to reach out on the paper and stretch the line far and bring it back close. Have the group continue until the therapist says “stop”. The group should then use the line as a guide to create an image and to let the line be inspiration for an image. Once 30 minutes has passed or the group looks like it is slowing down have everyone stop, stand, and move one seat to the right and begin work on adding to the new image in front of them. After 5-10 minutes have the group stand and move again to the right. Continue this process until everyone is back at their original drawing. Process what it felt like to let others work on your drawing and how it felt to add to someone’s imagery. Also, look at and discuss if members drawings interact or if they maintain boundaries.

Feel like/ Can do (Anger)
Task from the book Something to Draw On by Carol Ross

Materials- Several sheets of white paper 11 x 14” for each person, markers/ oil pastels/ colored pencils.

Directions- Ask each member to represent an image of a time they felt extremely angry. After the group has processed each image, have the members create a second drawing reflecting how the incident made them feel or made them feel like doing. Remind the group that this is imaginary so there are no rules on what they can or cannot draw. Finally, following a discussion about appropriate ways to express anger, have the group draw a third picture depicting an acceptable way of handling anger.

Footsteps Toward Progress (2nd ed.)

Materials: Multiple colors of construction paper, markers, long piece of butcher paper for each participant, scissors, glue sticks.

Directions: Pt. to trace 3 sets of their own feet (6 feet total) onto construction paper and cut them out. At the top of the long butcher paper have the person write a goal. Next, using the glue stick, adhere the feet in a walking pattern onto the butcher paper. Write down 6 objectives towards reaching the goal at the top; one objective on each foot. Finally, have the individual draw an image of what it would feel like to reach their goal. Discuss why it is important to write about and discuss our goals. Talk about what steps are currently being taken to achieve these goals. Reference “104 Activities That Build” book for further discussion questions.