Finding creative therapy interventions can be so difficult! That is why I have created a library of creative interventions so that any therapist can easily find interventions to do with their clients. Please keep in mind the importance of the terminology you are using with these interventions! Art Therapy interventions are done by a trained and registered Art Therapist. Luckily, all of these interventions are appropriate for any clinician to use as Therapeutic Art Making interventions! All of the interventions found in my Creative Intervention Library are art activities perfect for therapy sessions. Most of the interventions also have a telehealth modification for those of us who are still seeing clients virtually. Every month, I post a new creative intervention for you to use. Looking for more? For the price of a cup of coffee per month, you can get access to a second creative intervention as well as access to the entire library catalog of previous months.

This month’s intervention is a quick and fun activity! It has many uses and it is an object a client can take with them and display on their own if they would like. If you try this out yourself, l would love to see photos of it!

Please note, If you do take any photos of client’s art work, make sure you have a consent form signed for this. I have a Consent to Photograph Artwork Created in Therapy Sessions Form in my products if you need one for your practice. Even with therapeutic art making, it is ethically necessary to have this consent form signed. Also make sure to remove any identifying information from any art work before photographing it, such as names or signatures.

I offer personalized intervention ideas in the clinical consultation and supervision I provide as well! When I work one on one with clinicians, I love being able to create specific interventions tailored to each client and their presenting concerns. Feel free to reach out with any questions to see if creative supervision and consultation would be a good fit for you and your practice!

Process Video:

Age range: 8+

Diagnosis: Any

Supplies Needed:

A CD, this can be an old one or a new blank one (can be found at thrift stores if you don’t have any on hand, or ask a neighbor/friend/family member)
Acrylic paint, color of client’s choice
Paintbrush
Pencil or dowel, anything with a pointy end
Newspaper or paper towel to put under the CD when painting
Hairdryer if you want to sped up the drying process

Uses: Relaxation, practicing focus, stress relief, rapport building

Instructions:

Start by having your client paint the underside of the CD any color they would like. They can also use multiple colors if they would prefer! Let this dry on its own or speed up the process by drying the paint with a hair dryer
A second coat of paint is recommended if you have the time for it! This allows for better color coverage and the layers of paint make scratching the design easier as well. Again, let this coat dry either with a hair dryer or on its own
Once the paint is fully dry, have your client scratch their design into the paint.
- If you are working with younger children, they can scribble and create something abstract. You can also print out mandala designs as inspiration for your client if they need it. A note of caution about printing designs for inspiration: make sure it doesn’t cause the client distress or frustration that they cannot reproduce the design exactly. If you are concerned that the client may be too focused on reproducing the design, I recommend encouraging them to use their imagination, and to focus on making repeated shapes to create their mandala design. You could suggest an idea for one row of the mandala design if they really need it.
The final product can be hung up with string through the middle in a window to catch the light or can be displayed in any way!