The following art therapy idea/activity is called Crystal Ball and is by contributing guest author Dr. Deah Schwartz. Once a month, Dr. Schwartz shares an art therapy idea to facilitate exploration, increased awareness and healing in the areas of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Some of these directives may need to be facilitated over more than one session, or modified for different ability levels, size of group, budget and size of work space. Learn more about eating disorder therapy.
Title: Crystal Ball
Materials: Drawing paper, markers, pencils
Guidelines:
- Ask the client(s) to draw a large circle on their paper.
- Explain that they are using a crystal ball to look into the future of the next three months.
- Ask them to draw at least one but no more than three changes in their routine that will occur over the summer and identify the feelings they predict will be generated from those changes.
- When the drawing is complete, discuss with the client/group healthy versus habitual ways to manage the feelings that they are predicting they will feel.
- If this is an Expressive Arts Therapy group, act out some of the scenarios described in their crystal ball drawings and role play healthy ways to manage the anxiety and stress that these changes of routine generate.
Why Do This: Why not? (Just kidding) Frequently one of the underlying issues of disordered eating has to do with control. Transitions can be a trigger for stress which often results in an increase in disordered eating and or negative thoughts about one’s body. Predicting the challenges and identifying healthy coping strategies helps to regain a sense of control over the situation.
I like this. I like how there’s still room for a lot of creativity yet the assignment is focused and purposeful. This is good.
Thank you! IT’s been very effective with my clients!
Warmly,
Drdeah http://www.drdeah.com
I’ve just done this exercise with myself and I found it helpful. It was good to draw and see actual images of what I will be doing and of the 3 changes in my life. The images are strong and definite and even though I have challenging emotions around two of them looking at the images is a real acknowledgement of future events and that feels important to see and have. And I surprised myself by having lots of positive feelings about one change that I thought I was feeling anxious about. I thought of all the skills I have that I can continue to use and the supports to help me. And that I’ve experienced similiar stuff before and I got through it and thought I will manage these changes and be familiar with them this time. Ifeel I want to keep on looking at this image to really familiarize myself with it ~ with what will be happening in my near future and see what else comes up. It’s reassuring somehow.
I’ve practiced this activity with multiple populations, from oppositional children to older adults with dementia. It is an excellent activity to help transition, discuss ideals, and brainstorm objectives for goals. It has so many possibilities!
A similar activity I recently used in a day habilitation program and I’d like to share. It was great with clients and is from The Expressive Arts Activity Book: A Resource for Professionals by Suzanne Darley and Wende Heath. This is an excellent book. I can give the basic idea…
Fold a piece of paper in half. On one side create/draw a problem, tension or stress you are experiencing. On the other side create/draw about the relief from that problem, tension or stress. Discuss and brainstorm some ideas about how to arrive at the relief. Any ideas can be created on the backside and discussed.
yeah this is one great activity… to visualize the positive changes to be brought in the life and actually draw it so the subconcious mind brings is into reality
I am so glad to read so many positive comments about this directive. Thanks to everyone for your feedback!
Warmly, Dr. Deah
Hello,
I’m just entering into the Expressive Art Therapy realm. I’ve completed a Foundations course in such at ISIS in Toronto. I’ve decided not to take the full 3 year program until I’ve gained some more experience in my community; to see whether I’m really suited for this exciting and helpful work. I’ve been given an opportunity to put together a presentation involving Expressive Art therapy at a community event called Culture Days. I will be working with a local art gallery and am looking for ideas of how to engage local community members who pass through the gallery to view the art and enjoy some live poetry. I am thinking very simple ideas using color and meaning. It will be directed at adults as well as children. Any simple ideas out there for a newby like myself? Much appreciated. Georgia
This website is such a valuable resource…thank you!