The technique that I will be implementing is an art therapy journal. This technique allows a variety of uses throughout treatment. The therapist will assign the client a journal to bring and use inside and outside of the session. The journal can be used as a daily journal, art journal, or whatever way the client needs. Homework can be kept in the journal as well as prompts to create during treatment that becomes relevant in the session. One main way the journal will be used is for gratitude. The gratitude journaling will help the client explore gratitude within their life and explore specific focus on situations that is causing anxiety. Some other additional prompts might include creating artworks representing triggers to anxiety symptoms and work on a plan of what to do when they are present, create a STOP sign and then a pleasant scene through art to teach thought-stopping, and keeping track of calming skills and the use of tools like muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and slow diaphragmatic breathing. The journal will help the client to practice calming daily, review, and reinforce success while also providing corrective feedback toward improvement.
By implementing this technique, the therapist offers a variety of ways to use the journal and help the client create a tool to take with them wherever and to be used when needed. Any prompt used in the journal can also be a separate artwork created and can give clients opportunities to build upon ideas started in the journal and to develop them future in art therapy sessions. Having the journal changed into a box is another variation that may work with the client. Creating a gratitude box to keep the focus on things outside the stressful situation can also be a way the client implements this technique.
Specific Population
Having a client use a journal can be useful for many populations, but specifically, this will be helpful for those with anxiety. One of the most common mental health issues in the United States is anxiety and about 15 percent of Americans are affected by a variety of anxiety-related disorders (Chambala, 2008). Art therapy is one tool that can help those dealing with anxiety-related issues. Art therapy in general helps clients express themselves and can help clients feel less anxious and concentrate on the task of the session (You will bear witness, 2019). Children and adolescents often enjoy creating and having art implemented as a technique that can emphasize safety in a therapeutic setting. Specifically, children and adolescents who are interested in art are recognized as being in the Pseudo-Naturalistic stage where they have success in art and have the drive to continue. The kids in this stage will benefit from art therapy interventions because they create emotional content and can make meaning from their artwork.
Others who may benefit from art therapy and journaling can be adults with anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression (Chambala, 2008). Using art therapy can allow clients to share in a safe way and express internal expression without the pressure of verbally sharing (Chambala, 2008). Some limitations to implementing an art therapy journal could include disinterest outside of therapy. Clients might not take time during the week to work in the journal and not use the journal to record situations, emotions, or triggers. Some clients might need to take smaller steps and need more assistance where journaling can be a lot of independent work. Therapists should understand the client’s abilities and meet the client where they are and work toward more independent work in the journal.
Therapeutic Rationale
The client Jay is diagnosed with Adjustment disorder with anxiety with excessive nervousness, worry, and jitteriness at home and at school. The client presents with issues of anxiety and worries about school and family that are out of proportion to the stressor. My client is already interested in art therapy and enjoys creating. By implementing an art therapy journal the client can work on artworks in and out of session. Working in session with the client implementing calming skills and other tools will be needed and the journal can be a way to record and let the client mind dump worries that he struggles to stop. The gratitude journal can be a way to identify stressful situations while also focusing on coping skills that have worked. The benefit of implementing the journal would allow the client to use the strength of enjoying the arts already and using the interest within the treatment. The client can use the journal to organize thoughts, write down situations throughout the week, and write questions and discussion for the next session. The journaling tool will be a helpful intervention throughout therapy.
Goals
1. Clients will learn and implement 4 calming skills to reduce overall anxiety and manage anxiety symptoms. The client will record skills when used, and if successful. The client will use this as a guide in session and develop other skills.
2. One prompt for the client will be to use the journal for gratitude. The client will explore 2 situations in their life that are causing stress, worry, or anxiety as well as 2 situations that cause strength or calmness. The client can use the journal to record situations and evaluate them.
3. Another prompt for the journal includes having the client represent triggers to anxiety symptoms and work on a plan of what to do when they are present. Having a plan to visually see can help aid in calming and following through.
4. One last prompt is to create a STOP sign when worries and stress become overwhelming. The stop sign will represent thought-stopping and then the client will create a pleasant scene.
5. Client can use a journal to keep track of calming skills and the use of tools like muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and slow diaphragmatic breathing to help record helpfulness of tools.
Materials
Journal, notebook, or book.
Can be found at an art supply store or Walmart.
Markers, journaling pens, color pencils, pencils, or pastels.
Depending on the prompt the client may choose from these media to create or write a response.
These can be found at art supply stores or Walmart.
Paints or watercolor and brushes.
Depending on if the client is interested and if paper thickness in the journal.
Can be found at the art supply store or Walmart.
Collage, magazines, glue, and scissors.
The therapist should prepare collage materials before implementing in session or printed out if available.
Other materials can be found at Walmart.
References
Chambala, A. (2008). Anxiety and art therapy: Treatment in the public eye. Art Therapy, 25(4), 187–189. https://doi-org.uc.opal-libraries.org/10.1080/07421656.2008.10129540
You will bear witness. (2019). Art Therapy Exercises for Anxiety. Retrieved from https://youwillbearwitness.com/2019/06/19/art-therapy-exercises-for-anxiety/.
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