15 Art Therapy Exercises You Can Do at Home

The Power of Art: When My Feelings Can't Talk is a children's book but you don't have to be a child or an artist to receive the benefits of art therapy. Anybody can draw, paint, color, sculpt, or create a collage. It's true that some can do these things better than others, but skill is irrelevant in art therapy. The act of creating is what's important.

Art therapy is an interesting field of mental health care that is based on the premise that expressing yourself creatively can enhance well-being and promote emotional healing. It can also boost self-awareness.

While there are licensed art therapists, you can do many of the same art therapy exercises at home that you would do in a clinical setting.

The following exercises can be modified for any age or skill level. They can also be done individually or as a group/family. To get the most from each exercise, remember to focus on mindfulness. Stay in the present moment and create without filtering or overthinking. There is no wrong or right way to create.

Trigger Warning: Please note that art therapy, like more traditional forms of therapy, can unlock uncomfortable emotions and/or memories. If you or your child have experienced a traumatic event, please discuss using these techniques with a mental health care professional before proceeding.

1. Create sock puppets and put on a play — Making sock puppets will put a smile on anyone's face. You can act out a scene from your life.

2. Create a sculpture that matches your mood — Get your hands on some clay or Play-Doh and let your imagination run wild.

3. Make a collage with photographs that you love — Go through your old photos and make copies of some of your favorites.

4. Draw a picture that represents utopia to you — What is your version of a perfect life or a perfect world?

5. Create a painting that represents your childhood — What are the most important moments of your childhood?

6. Draw or paint your negative traits — Consider your negative traits and find a way to represent them in a piece of art.

7. Draw or paint your positive traits — Do the same with your positive traits.

8. Make a flag or a logo with a motto that represents your intentions — What motto would you put on a flag that best describes your intention in life?

9. Make a dreamcatcher and find a place to hang it in your home.

10. Draw a scene from one of your nightmares.

11. Build an altar — Create an altar or a meditation/prayer space that is unique to you.

12. Create a map of all the personal connections in your life — Put yourself in the center and diagram all the relationships you have.

13. Create a vision of you — Close your eyes and picture your ideal you.

14. Paint a rock — List your values on the rock and put it where you can see it each day.

15. Draw your safe place — Use any medium you like. Create a place that makes you feel safe from the world.

Bonus Tip: If you see a therapist/mental health care professional, share your creation with them. 99% of the time I share a creation with my therapist, we have a breakthrough moment.

Art therapy is a gift that you can give yourself. Pick one exercise and give it a try. Experiment and see what happens. Focus on the experience rather than on the outcome or art you create. You may not create a masterpiece, but your subconscious mind will thank you for the creative outlet.