Describe,
Draw and Describe
Intro
– This is another activity that translates well to telehealth but also works
face to face. The process of this activity directly corresponds to the title,
which is self-explanatory:
Describe: The counselor or group
leader should read one of the picture descriptions provided or use one of their
own. When reading the description, try to use feeling and read the description
in a slow, expressive manner so as to give the listeners time to think, feel
and use their imagination
Draw:
While
the counselor is reading the selected picture description, each person in group
should draw what they are hearing and feeling. There is not wrong way to do
this as the focus of this activity is using art for self-expression, and this
is in no way an art contest. If someone
feels that they are terrible at drawing, it is okay as the group has to agree
that art is not to be judged on appearance but again the art is more of a means
helping identification and articulation of one’s personal thoughts and feelings
Describe: When everyone is done
drawing, the group should take turns showing their picture to the rest of the
group. On telehealth, this can be done by holding up the picture in front of
the camera so others in the group can see it*. While showing the picture to the
group, the person who drew the picture should describe what they drew while
expressing what they were thinking and feeling when drawing various aspects of
the picture. At the end, the person who drew the picture should give a final
explanation about what the picture means to them and how they felt overall
about the picture. The counselor should be prepared to draw out the group
participants thoughts and feelings with open ended questions to stimulate
discussion *If anyone is really resistant to showing their picture, the
counselor can provide the option for the picture to be explained without
showing it. However, people in group are encouraged to take a chance and be
willing to share without fear of judgement.
Take
turns and allow everyone to show and share about their picture. If there is
time the group can try more than one of the descriptions
Sample Picture
Descriptions:
Thought/Feeling
- Based Narrations for Drawings (Imaginative – free form)
“The
Future I Hope For”
(Read
title first) - ”The Future I Hope For”….What is that to you?...Think about
where you want to be one day…when you are where you want to be…Think about why
you are here today…and where you will be when you know that you have achieved
your goals…You have the life you want…You have the people around you that you
want to have in your life…You feel the way you want to feel when you have finally
achieved your goals one day…Think about what your life will really be like…Keep
it real and not just a fantasy…What will you be doing…What will you be thinking?…What
will you be feeling?…What will the people you care about be thinking and
feeling…What will this new life that you want so badly be all about to you?
“My
Positive Escape”
(Read
title first) – “My Positive Escape” – Now that you are working on recovery from
whatever issues you are facing, what do you do for a positive escape…Where do
you go?...Who, if anyone is there with you?...What are you doing with
yourself?….What is it like to feel the peace and satisfaction of taking a break
from stress?....What’s it like to get away from your problems for a little
while?…What are you thinking about when you are in your happy place, doing your
happy thing?…What are you feeling?...What is happiness for you…
“The
World I Want”
(Read
title first) – “The World I Want” – This world has a lot in it that needs to be
fixed, but for a few minutes think about the world you would want…What is it
like there?...What are people like in your world?...What are some of the laws
and rules…Who is there with you in your world?...What do you do in your
world?...What are you thinking about it your world?...What does it feel like to
live in your world?
“Rising
from the Chaos Toward a Life of Peace”
(Read
title first) - “Rising from the Chaos Toward a Life of Peace” – What was the
chaos in your life that you want to leave behind…What specific things are in
that chaotic life that you are letting go of…How do you feel as you are letting
go of the things you don’t want or need in your life any longer?…Now what is it
like to move forward toward a more peaceful life?...What is included in this
new peaceful existence?...Who are you bringing with you into your new
life?...How does it feel to move toward a better life and to feel inner peace?...What
is this new life like?...
“What’s
Up with You Right Now?”
(Read
title first) - “What’s Up with You Right Now?” – How are you doing?...What’s
been on your mind?...How have you been feeling?...Let these thoughts and
feelings guide your hand as you draw…Draw whatever comes to mind when you think
about how you are doing right now…What do you want right now?…What do you feel
right now?…What is it like to be you right now at this point in your life?...Let
your hand just draw whatever it wants, there is no right or wrong…
“My
Future Goals”
(Read
title first) – “My Future Goals” – Start thinking about some of your goals and
how you want to draw them…Use your imagination when choosing pictures or
symbols to represent your goals…There are no right or wrong answers here, just
let the pen draw your goals in a way that feels right to you…Try make sure
goals from different life areas are represented…Recovery goals…Career
goals…Family Goals….Relationships Goals…Health and Physical Goals…Financial
Goals…Spiritual Goals about meaning and purpose regardless of what you believe
in…Include any other goals on your mind that are meaningful and important to
you
“Values
and Priorities: What Means the Most to Me”
(Read
title first) - “Values and Priorities: What Means the Most to Me” – Think about
what is important to you…Think about the people…the things…and the ideas that
mean a lot to you (like freedom, love, respect and any others that mean a lot
to you)…Use different pictures and symbols to represent your values….Place
things in important places in your picture to show your priorities if you would
like to…Think about how these important values make you feel as you draw…
Descriptive
Narrations:
“The
Field” – Draw
a field, anywhere and anyway you want...Draw yourself in the field doing
anything you want…Put some animals in the field with you…Now add some
people…Add trees, mountains and parts of the landscape…Add some water: a river
or a lake or a waterfall…Make sure to add some flowers and other plants…How
does it feel to be in this field you are drawing…What is going on in this
field?
“The
Movie”
– Create a scene from a fictional movie of your own imagination…Think about
your setting and start drawing…Is this an action movie or a drama or a fantasy
or sci-fi or perhaps a love story?...Make sure to put in your movie
characters…Fill in the background with details…Think about what is going on in
your movie scene and let yourself draw…How are the characters feeling?. How do
you feel creating and then watching this scene?
“The
Group”
– Draw a scene with a bunch of people in group therapy…It should not be this
group but a group from you own mind… What kind of group is it and what is being
achieved in the group by its members? …
Think
about the different kinds of characters and personalities you are putting in
the group…What is everyone doing?...What kinds of behaviors are going on in the
group?...What is the counselor or group leader doing?...What is he or she
feeling while running that group?...What are different feelings people in the
group are experiencing?...
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