Background Info
Most people, at some point, in their life struggle to navigate a difficult or uncomfortable emotion. Maybe it is hard to identify or name the emotion. Perhaps someone feels numb from depression, grief or trauma. Or maybe one can name the emotion but it's hard to tolerate the discomfort or the intensity- which happens- especially when it comes to grief, depression, jealousy, anger, or anxiety. Whatever the emotion is, externalizing it can help and sharing it with others can help too.
In order to help someone externalize an emotion in session, I’ll ask them to illustrate it using paint, collage or pencils or whatever they want. If a blank page feels like too much pressure, I’ll ask them to draw their emotion as a landscape or even provide a blank mandala circle, and they can fill that in. The outline of the circle can serve as a holding space. I’ll often add a gentle reminder that there is no right or wrong when it comes to creating art- art therapy is about the process- and there are so many ways to reach one’s end goal, which is often to feel better or more comfortable..
Instructions:
To help an individual or a group get started, I will often start by asking them to imagine their current emotion as an outdoor landscape. What do they visualize? Are there mountains, a shining sun or a downpour? Are they lost in a jungle or out in an open dry desert? Boulders or pebbles? Is the sky filled with stars or clouds or something else entirely?
Next, I let them pick out paper or if it's a group, I usually offer 12 by 18 paper. I also offer to turn on music. Music can help facilitate a creative state and for groups, it can also signal that it is time to begin working and that usually cuts down on the side conversations. I honestly don’t mind if group members chat a bit or share their process as they work but occasionally, someone might use talking as a way to avoid whatever they are feeling. They might not even realize they are trying to distract themselves; it may just be an automatic coping strategy that has served them in the past. (Interestingly, how group members navigate groups is often how they handle things outside of the group as well…so you’ll see someone use humor, or someone else will bolt out the door when overwhelmed by a feeling or someone else will automatically pull out their phone in order to avoid feeling. And no judgement. We all have our go-tos, but it's interesting to watch the dynamics play out and bring it to one’s attention- if and when appropriate).
Processing Questions:
I generally have a few process questions in my back pocket; the benefit of being an art therapist for 20+ years but in general, the processing questions usually come from the moment. What did I notice while the client was creating their art? How was their body language while creating and did it shift? For this art therapy intervention, I might ask someone to reflect on how they were feeling when they started their artwork and how they were feeling when they ended their artwork.
Usually, their feelings have shifted in some way. I have heard clients say they felt angry and then at the end, felt calmer. I have heard someone else say they felt sad and then moved into content and even gratitude in the case of grief; grateful for the time with their loved one even if it means they currently feel loss or lost.
This is an important question because it can serve as a reminder that feelings can and do change over time. This is really important, especially if a client is overwhelmed or stuck in a depressed state. It's important for them to have a visual reminder that feeling numb or feeling hopeless or sad, will not last forever.
I also have asked clients, “Can you alter your image in some way to meet your current needs?” They can then choose to do so on the page, like adding something or drawing a type of shelter, or just answer out loud. I like this question because it is empowering. It encourages a client to identify what one needs and how they can meet that need in the moment.
Wrapping Up:
I always encourage clients to keep their artwork- either physically take it with them or take a picture if they don’t want to keep it. And it's OK if they want to throw it away and not keep a reminder, but I like clients to have reminders because they can refer back to it or use it to document a moment of time in one’s life. Interestingly, I feel like I remember all my clients' artwork so even if they don’t keep a pic for themselves, I can refer back to it in future sessions, if helpful. I mentally add their image to our timeline of our therapeutic work
Please reach out if you have any questions or comments or if you would like to work together. Best way to reach me is via email. Kim@kimberlygibsoncounseling.com.
Thanks all!
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