Art therapy can offer a release of emotions and provide a tangible object you can discuss with a therapist and others. Art can also be an effective tool to combine with other aspects of treatment such as detox, counseling, and support groups. Finally, to paraphrase Howes, reading these brief posts is no substitute for the education it takes to understand how to effectively and ethically apply them to practice. Competent therapists always get adequate training before applying any intervention. Additionally, some art therapy directives can be self-guided, but they work best under the guidance of a trained art therapist.

Decide how you feel on a given day or at a given moment. Draw an outline of your body on a canvas or piece of paper and use watercolors to demonstrate how you feel, physically and emotionally. Make a physical representation of the anger or sadness you feel or have in your life. You can create shapes, structures, and images that show your emotions.

Best art therapy ideas for adults in recovery

Besides journaling, there is poetry which takes a bit more of an artistic approach and can be just as cleansing. Emotional trauma often accompanies addiction, and even after one becomes sober, unresolved emotional distress can still remain. art therapy for addiction As our understanding of addiction expands we learn more and more the importance of using creative expression to overcome addiction. A long time ago addiction was viewed as a moral breakdown and a sign of a weak-willed person.

• Additionally, when you ask clients to place themselves in their drawings, you get lots of good information about where they might be stuck and why.
• By expressing themselves artistically, individuals can reshape and redefine their narratives.
• You don’t have to try to cope with life and addiction all on your own.
• Paint your ideal perfect day and see how much of it you can turn into reality today.
• On a sheet of paper, draw several circles with a pen.

Choose the color and composition of the picture for each of them. The main thing is that the color combination matches your idea of the very desire. Acceptance art therapy ideas. Cut the completed abstract drawing from a magazine or newspaper into pieces of any shape. A fragment of someone else’s drawing must be integrated into your work.

Group Art Project

I give the clients various drawing tools (these sharpies work really well on the boxes), cardstock in various colors, and I also like to offer these brightly colored index cards. I ask the client to think of the flattened box as their ‘self’. I instruct them to decorate the outside in ways that represent how they show who they are to the world.

• Like Howes, I feel that when potential clients understand what therapy entails, they are more likely to find the internal courage to seek help from a qualified professional.
• That’s why I find the wall metaphor to be incredibly powerful for clients who may not be ready to delve into their trauma.
• That’s a great way to relieve stress and express your feelings.

They can create a necklace, a keychain, a bracelet, or any string of beads that will benefit them the most. For many in addiction recovery, a coping mechanism can help individuals cope and deal with specific challenges. Similar to a worry stone, mindfulness beads can become a cornerstone for dealing with anxious and negative emotions.