Experiential theory is also tied to concepts of client-centered therapy developed by Carl Rogers and Gestalt therapy developed by Fritz Perls. It can also include using action to develop skills, provide insight and increase self-development. It can also help people to work through unresolved problems, build a relationship with their therapist and be present in the moment.
Through this activity, participants can explore the intricacy of their emotions and discover themselves in new ways. Think of emotional problems you face, such as depression or a bad temper. Then write about or discuss how these emotions might serve you, such as the way your depression forces you to slow down and rest when you’re overwhelmed.
This can be anything from old letters, movies or bus tickets, photos, etc. As they fill the jar with these emotion-evoking items, they’ll remember positive moments in their lives and bring up good sentiments. In my experience, it’s most helpful to leave some parts of the activity open-ended. In other words, don’t specify art therapy for addiction what kind of bridge or body of water they should depict. This version of the bridge drawing technique comes from the Handbook of Art Therapy, from the section on clinical application with adults. In the chapter on using art in counseling, Gladding and Newsome (2007) describe a solution-focused bridge drawing.
The process of mixing and molding the clay into a shape can feel very calming. Once you complete the jar, you can fill it with items that help you recall pleasant memories such as tickets or letters from a loved one. The No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates can protect individuals by ensuring that they do not have to pay the entire cost of their care out-of-pocket. While addiction knows no bounds, it disproportionately affects certain groups of people.
For the purposes of this exercise, I prefer to use these small premade cardboard boxes that get assembled by hand (see below). Feelings and associations related to the pain can get jammed up, repressed, or acted out/expressed in less than desirable ways. You may also want to include printed images, mixed media supplies, and found objects, depending on your client’s preferences. Once your client has finished, run through some open-ended processing questions to explore their meaning.