Snowflake Directive

For supervision last week, I had everyone cut out a snowflake. I provided instructions on how to fold a six pointed snowflake, and to cut small shapes out of it so it stays intact. After everyone cut out their snowflake, I asked them to write things on it that made them unique, reminding them that it was a combination of all their qualities, characteristics, and experiences that made them unique. This directive could also be used with patients as a self esteem directive or the snowflake making process as a problem solving directive. It was nice to hear what people thought of themselves and how they felt they were special.

Group Scribble Drawing

During a recent supervision, we made a group scribble on a long piece of butcher paper. Each person chose a different color marker and we took turns making a scribble to fill up the page. Then everyone was invited to walk around the paper to see what images they could find in the scribble. Then, everyone could use whatever media they wanted to bring out that image. It took a few minutes to get going, but soon images were being pulled out all over. This is a good exercise to get people to loosen up and use their imagination. It can also be good for clients to address problem solving or boundaries. 

Problem Solving

Recently, I filled in for a facilitator of an Art Therapy group where the directive was to draw an image about the group on a piece of paper which had been cut into the shape of a puzzle piece. After the group members finished drawing, they were instructed to put all the puzzle pieces together. It was interesting to see the group dynamic as some members went right to work trying to put the puzzle together. Others just wanted to boss the rest of the group around without doing any hands on work. Others preferred to let the motivated ones do the work. When one man tried to help out and received some negative feedback from a peer, he just gave up and walked out of the group. Sex Offenders have difficulty problem solving, so it was interesting to see how each one reacted and how they worked with each other. Discussion took place about the frustrations and each person's role.

Team work directive

In a Self-Esteem through Art Therapy group, I had the patients form small groups and gave each group 2 plastic cups, 100 straws, a roll of masking tape, and a 12" ruler. Each group had to construct the strongest bridge possible using the supplied materials. The bridge had to be longer than a foot and the ruler could only be used for measurement. Each group had 20 minutes to construct their bridge. After, I would use heavy objects to test the strength of each bridge. The main purpose of the exercise, though, was to have the participants discuss the group dynamic. Who became the leader of the group? Who was cooperative? Who was argumentative? Who was the most competitive? Etc...This helped the patients be more aware of their characteristics, be more assertive, be more open to feedback, etc. I've also done this for staff in services. It is generally a fun and learning experience.