Lucky Charm

Instructions: draw your lucky charm. Examples might include a four-leaf clover, horseshoe necklace, rabbit’s foot, child or grandchild, special number, religious symbol, ring and so on.

Discussion: Share positive thoughts and the good fortune you have had in the past. Goals include thinking optimistically, exploring gratitude and affection, and hope for the future.

I've always been fascinated with lightning. I think some king of necklace with a lightning symbol should be my lucky charm because I associate it with the power of creativity and inspiration. Looking back I think something higher than me protected me from getting into serious trouble. It's filled with madmen out there so the fact that I am safe together with my family is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Signature Strength

Instructions: draw or collage your signature strength. 

Discussion: Explore the positive trait and ask the question, “How can you use this strength more often in your life?” Ask clients to think about the significance of the attribute and ways in which it makes them special.

My signature strength is my sense of humour. I could use this strength of mine to confront my health problems by making jokes on the subject.

Free Style

Instructions: draw whatever comes to mind without thinking of its meaning.

Self-esteem Tower

Instructions: create a tower of methods to increase self-worth. 

Discussion: Clients share their constructions and specifically what they need to increase their self-esteem. They examine realistic goals and methods to attain them. Questions such as: “What type of environment do you need to feel content?” and “What type of relationships do you need in your life?” may be explored. Discuss the size and shape of the tower as well as the sturdiness or frailty of it. Determine how long the tower has been in existence and the timetable for future growth. Examples of items that may be included as part of the tower: pets, children, smiling faces, people exercising, people helping each other, affirmations, people engaged in sports and games, and families.

Inspiration

Instructions: illustrate one item, thought, feeling or affirmation that helps get you through the day. Examples might include a morning cup of coffee or tea, a phone call from a family member or reciting an affirmation such as “Taking one day at a time.”

Discussion: it focuses on motivation, strengths and attitudes. Goals include expanding clients’ repertoire of coping techniques.

The Apex

Instructions: Ask clients to draw a mountain and place themselves on top of it. Then ask them to write about a time they reached a goal and/or “felt on top of the world.”
 

Discussion: Discussion focuses on achievements and high points in one’s life. Goals include increased self-esteem and review of strengths and accomplishments.

This brings to mind some lyrics of a very well-known band from Romania that translated go something like ¨If no one is going to applaud us we are going to applaud ourselves¨. The main goal I had for this year, that of reading so much I could burst has been achieved. I feel proud of myself for having done that and look forward to a new, fruitful year. Oh and the best of all, I tell myself ¨Congrats¨ since people are too busy with their lives to congratulate me. 

I'm also happy about bringing this blog to life. This year I have read two books on art therapy and came up with the idea of having a place where to post answers to the artistic tasks given in these books. It has been the most fun I have had in years and a way to put it all out there for people to see. What I like about art therapy is that you don't have to be a trained artist and you don't have to get it perfect every single time. You can express what you need to express without fear of judgement and we all know practice makes one acquire skills. So again kudos to me.

Strength/Affirmation Tree

Instructions: draw a tree with branches and leaves. On the leaves write positive thoughts and statements. Decorate the tree.