Traffic Light

Instructions: Provide the outline of a typical traffic light (a vertical rectangle with three circles which will be colored red, yellow, and green) or have clients draw their own. Direct group members to filling the first circle red, the second yellow, and the third green. Next ask them to write or illustrate:

1.a goal/s next to the green circle

2. methods used to try to obtain the goal/s next to the yellow
circle

3. obstacles to achieving their goal/s next to the red circle.

Discussion: Examine each client’s aspirations and barriers to achieving them. Goals include problem solving and exploration of coping skills.

Power Thinking

Instructions: use lines and shapes to represent positive thoughts and healthy thinking (for example, being flexible, accepting change, being patient, taking one day at a time, accepting oneself, not filtering or catastrophizing, etc.).

Discussion: share your shapes and their “thinking strength.” Explore the importance of strengthening thinking in order to increase self-esteem, vigor, motivation, and hope.

 

 

 

 

You've got your dark line as a symbol of negative thinking and confusion and your yellow wheel as a symbol of how good it feels to identify errors in your thinking and correct them. Doing some virtual CBT has helped me become a more rational human being and realize thoughts are just thoughts, they don't make me who I am, although they hold a great power over my behaviour should they not be kept on a leash.

Rainbow Tree

Instructions: create your own unique “rainbow tree.” Think about what you would find at the end of the rainbow or at the top of the tree.

Discussion: Clients share the type of tree depicted and the way it might represent their hope for the future, and their present mood and attitude. Goals include exploration of mood and feeling, and a focus on optimism and positive thinking.

Here's my tree and at the end of the rainbow I can find the fruit of my labour of passion.

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.