Hayley is a licensed counselor, art therapist, practice owner, and trainer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hayley has worked in the mental health field for 20+ years, helping both clients and clinicians. She is the owner and lead clinician at the Center for Creative Counseling based in Pittsburgh, PA. The container metaphor can serve as a physical symbol that can tap into those feelings and experiences. Exploring the concept of “containment” through art can help clients uncover things that are being contained. It can also help them contain things that may feel overwhelming or out of control through visual and/or tactile means.

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• Several participants at the same table draw circles of any color and size on a large sheet of paper.
• A distant lighthouse is their only point of guidance.
• Consider these exercises if you’re looking to feel a little more laid back.

Bridge drawings make excellent art therapy activities for adults because they can help with processing problematic situations and difficult life transitions. This simple yet powerful art therapy directive works well for clients who are struggling to define who they are. Whether their identity struggles are related to childhood trauma, unresolved loss, or a life transition, the Identity Collage art therapy activity can help them explore who they are. Because it’s collage, it’s super accessible for most clients and there is a lot of versatility in terms of what kind of prompt and materials you provide.

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The box can also be a simple cardboard box or a box the individual has an attachment to, such as a small jewelry box. If local resources are scarce, the digital realm offers a wealth of opportunities. From online art therapy courses to virtual group sessions, the internet is teeming with resources for budding art therapy enthusiasts. Start with basic art supplies – colored pencils, paints, brushes, paper, or clay.

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If you’ve ever heard of a fidget spinner, then you may understand how having a small object to pick at with your hands can help a person concentrate. Many addicts in recovery tend to struggle with anxiety, boredom, and restlessness because addictive behaviors are often fidgety and one-track-minded. Mindfulness bracelets or beads are excellent art project ideas for adults in recovery that can serve as enjoyable distractions from stress and worries.

It’s very helpful for substance abuse and behavioral health patients to begin to feel empowered and capable of solving their own problems. The concept of this project is to encourage them to imagine the potential for transformation. The task is to create three self-portraits using any materials they like, such as drawing, painting, or a collage. The three images will become part of a mural that depicts the patient’s recovery process. Art therapy is an effective therapeutic tool that can help substance abuse patients explore their feelings in a non-confrontational way. Substance art therapy ideas for adults in recovery abuse disorders will often be rooted in deep emotional pain from childhood trauma, depression, grief, or other difficult situations.

Each of these art projects is a great part of a journey toward recovery and can be completed in a residential treatment center. If you or a loved one are suffering with substance abuse or addiction and want further help, Contact Steps Recovery Centers. Often time, stress and mental health challenges seem almost https://ecosoberhouse.com/ omnipresent, finding solace in creative outlets has never been more vital.

Distraction is not always effective or desirable; for example, distracting yourself with TV every time you’re stressed isn’t productive and can actually impede you from getting work done. However, if you’ve been considering picking up a substance again, turning toward art is healthier, both physically and mentally. This can encompass a wide range of activities, such as stress painting, incident drawings, sculpting, or creating an art journal. No artistic skill is required for art therapy; the key is a willingness to engage in the process. A trained therapist guides these sessions, which are adaptable settings like group counseling and medication-assisted treatment. Keep in mind that recovery is a process, one you don’t have to embark on alone.