12/01/2025
How to Conduct the Trauma Representation Activity in Art Therapy
Objective:
Enable participants to express their trauma or difficult emotions in a creative and safe way.
Preparation:
1. Required Materials:
• White sheets or cardboard.
• Modeling colors (clay or playdough).
• Colored or wax crayons.
• Simple tools for sculpting or shaping (optional).
2. Session Environment:
• A comfortable and safe space.
• Calm background music (optional) to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Steps:
1. Activity Introduction:
• Explain the goal of the activity to participants:
“This activity helps us express our emotions or difficult memories creatively, without using words.”
• Reassure participants that no one will be forced to share their work if they do not wish to.
2. Instructions:
• Provide participants with a sheet of paper and modeling colors.
• Ask them to create symbols or shapes that represent a difficult experience or trauma they have been through (e.g., symbols like the sun, a heart, dark colors, etc.).
• They can use additional colors or pencils for decoration or to add details.
3. Activity Duration:
• Allow participants 20–30 minutes to complete their designs.
4. Discussion (Optional):
• After finishing, if participants feel comfortable, they can explain what their artwork represents.
• Encourage them to focus on how they feel now after engaging in the creative expression.
You can also ask questions that relate to connecting with the past trauma using the present language of “here and now.”
If appropriate, you can ask the participant to add something to their artwork after the discussion and then talk about it again.
Notes:
• Do not force anyone to share their work.
• Accept all forms of artistic expression; there is no “right” or “wrong” way.
• If any participant shows strong emotional reactions, provide additional support or offer a break.
