5 Simple Drawing Ideas to Navigate Big Feelings (A Therapist's Guide)

Ever struggled to find words for overwhelming feelings? 5 Simple Drawing Ideas to Navigate Big Feelings offers a therapeutic alternative when language falls short. I've seen countless clients transform after discovering that a pen and paper can speak volumes when words can't.

Art provides a healthy outlet for emotions that we need to express but often struggle to verbalize . In fact, the creative process activates sensory and symbolic pathways that language alone cannot reach . As a therapist, I've witnessed how drawing allows individuals to channel difficult emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration into something tangible .

When clients find it challenging to explain their experiences, these simple drawing exercises offer a parallel language – one that helps them express emotions safely . The best part? You don't need any artistic skill. This isn't about creating masterpieces; it's about using mark-making as a tool for self-awareness and regulation.

Research indicates that integrating art therapy into established psychotherapy approaches can significantly improve client well-being . Many of my clients have reported feeling relief through these exercises, finally able to connect with and express their emotions . In the following guide, I'll share five accessible drawing activities that I've refined over years of practice – designed specifically for those who don't consider themselves "artistic" but want effective ways to navigate life's complex feelings.

The Scribble Switch-Up

Image Source: Somatopia

The therapeutic power of spontaneous lines goes back decades in art therapy. Developed by art educator Florence Cane and expanded by her sister Margaret Naumburg, the scribble technique has helped countless individuals access emotions that words alone cannot express [1]. As someone who uses this regularly with clients, I've seen how even the most hesitant "non-artists" find relief through this deceptively simple process.

The Scribble Switch-Up Concept

At its core, the Scribble Switch-Up is about transformation—turning chaotic, random marks into something meaningful. Unlike traditional drawing that demands precision, scribble art invites uninhibited expression through overlapping, looping lines that create form, texture, and depth [2]. The beauty lies in its accessibility: there's no "wrong way" to scribble.

The technique works by engaging both hemispheres of your brain while relaxing your body. Through repetitive, rhythmic motions, you enter a meditative flow state that naturally decreases stress hormones [3]. Additionally, this bilateral stimulation helps integrate fragmented emotional experiences that might be stored in your body rather than your conscious mind.

What makes this approach especially powerful is how it bypasses perfectionism. A scribble cannot be "good" or "bad," which immediately removes the anxiety many feel around artistic expression [4].

You'll Need for the Scribble Switch-Up

Gathering simple supplies creates a contained, safe space for emotional expression. You'll need:

• Paper (smaller sizes work best—they provide structure and containment) [5]

• Drawing tools (markers, crayons, colored pencils, or pens)

• Optional: additional coloring materials (pastels, watercolors)

• A comfortable, quiet space where you feel safe to express emotions [6]

The beauty of this exercise lies in its simplicity—no expensive art supplies required. Unlike traditional art, which might feel intimidating, these basic materials create a low-pressure environment for emotional exploration.

How-To: Scribble Switch-Up Step-by-Step

1. Prepare your space: Find somewhere quiet where you won't be interrupted. Some gentle stretching beforehand can help release physical tension [6].

2. Create your scribble: Hold your drawing tool above the paper. When ready, place it down and create a continuous, spontaneous line of movement without lifting your hand [1]. Let your arm move freely without planning or judging what emerges.

3. Observe without judgment: Once your scribble is complete, look at it from different angles. Turn the paper around several times until something catches your attention—perhaps a shape or image hiding within the chaos [6].

4. Transform your scribble: When you see something emerging in your scribble (it might be a face, object, or abstract form), develop it further using your coloring materials [1]. You're not "fixing" the scribble but rather discovering what it wants to become.

5. Reflect: Notice what emerged and how it might connect to your current emotional state. What does this image express that perhaps you couldn't put into words? What feelings arise as you look at your creation?

The entire process typically takes 15-20 minutes, though you can extend it if you're finding it particularly helpful or engaging.

Why the Scribble Switch-Up Helps (Therapist's Insight)

Throughout my years working with clients, I've observed how the Scribble Switch-Up offers multiple therapeutic benefits beyond simple relaxation.

Primarily, this technique accesses emotional material stored in the body rather than the logical mind. Trauma and intense emotions often get trapped as somatic sensations rather than clear narratives [3]. The physical act of scribbling—especially with vigorous, energetic movements—helps release these bodily-held tensions in a safe, contained way.

Moreover, the process creates psychological distance. By externalizing difficult feelings onto paper, you can examine them without becoming overwhelmed. One client described it perfectly: "I can see my anxiety instead of just feeling swallowed by it."

The scribble technique works particularly well for anger and frustration. As one case example demonstrates, a woman dealing with workplace conflict scribbled so forcefully with black and red crayons that she nearly punctured the paper—afterward reporting feeling remarkably calm [7]. The physical release mirrored the emotional release she needed.

For those struggling with perfectionism or harsh self-judgment, scribbling offers a rare opportunity to create without evaluation. There's no right or wrong way to scribble, which can be profoundly liberating for people who typically hold themselves to impossible standards.

Perhaps most importantly, this technique helps integrate fragmented emotional experiences. By engaging both analytical and emotional brain regions simultaneously, the Scribble Switch-Up creates new neural pathways for processing difficult feelings, potentially rewiring trauma responses toward greater regulation and resilience [3].

The Emotion Color Wheel

Image Source: Art Therapy: Sharing Directives

Colors have a unique way of expressing what words often cannot. Throughout my practice, I've witnessed countless clients discover profound emotional insights through the simple act of associating colors with feelings. The Emotion Color Wheel serves as a powerful visual map—transforming abstract emotions into a tangible, colorful language that both children and adults can understand and utilize.

The Emotion Color Wheel Concept

At its foundation, an Emotion Color Wheel is a visual tool that helps identify and express emotions through color associations [8]. Unlike traditional verbal approaches to emotional processing, color wheels tap into our intuitive, visual understanding of feelings. The wheel typically arranges different emotions in a circular format, creating a comprehensive emotional landscape [9].

What makes this technique particularly valuable is its flexibility—there's no universally "correct" color wheel. As one resource notes, "Emotions are not really colors, but feelings. Not everyone agrees on emotions, what they mean, how they look, or where they might be placed on a visual image" [10]. This personalization is precisely what gives the exercise its power.

Most effective emotion wheels use a structured approach with multiple layers:

• The innermost circle contains primary emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear)

• The middle layer introduces secondary emotions stemming from primary ones

• The outermost layer reveals tertiary emotions—the most specific feelings [8]

This layered approach helps navigate from broad emotional states to increasingly precise feelings, creating a nuanced emotional vocabulary.

You'll Need for the Emotion Color Wheel

Gathering the right materials creates an inviting space for emotional exploration. You'll need:

• Large circular paper or cardboard (8-12 inches in diameter)

• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons (variety of colors)

• Ruler and compass (or circular objects to trace)

• Optional: A feelings word bank for reference [11]

The beauty of this exercise lies in its accessibility—you can create a meaningful emotional tool with items likely already in your home. As with all therapeutic art activities, the supplies should support the process rather than become a source of pressure.

How-To: Emotion Color Wheel Step-by-Step

1. Create your circle: Start by drawing a large circle on your paper. This can be freehand or traced—perfectionism isn't the goal. As one practitioner notes, "Sometimes just the act of doing this can be very mindful and relaxing" [12].

2. Divide your wheel: Place a dot in the center of your circle, then draw lines from the center to the circumference, dividing the wheel into 6-8 equal sections (like slicing a pie) [11]. These will represent different emotional categories.

3. Label your emotions: Around the outside of your wheel, write the emotions you want to include. Consider emotions you frequently experience or struggle to express. You might include joy, anger, fear, sadness, surprise, disgust as primary emotions, then add more nuanced feelings [12].

4. Associate colors with emotions: Here comes the heart of the exercise—choose colors that represent each emotion for you. There's no right or wrong choice—yellow might feel happy to you, while someone else might associate happiness with green [10]. Trust your intuition.

5. Fill in your wheel: Using your chosen colors, fill in each section of the wheel. You can add patterns, symbols, or even small drawings that represent those feelings to you [13]. Allow yourself to be expressive without judgment.

6. Reflect: After completing your wheel, take time to consider why you chose certain colors for specific emotions. What personal associations influenced your choices? This reflection deepens the therapeutic value of the exercise [14].

Why the Emotion Color Wheel Helps (Therapist's Insight)

As a therapist, I've observed numerous benefits when clients create and use emotion color wheels.

Firstly, the exercise builds emotional literacy—the ability to name and communicate feelings [3]. Many clients struggle not because they don't have emotions, but because they lack the vocabulary to identify them precisely. The wheel provides a visual alternative to verbal expression, particularly valuable for those who process information visually.

Furthermore, this approach validates emotional experiences. By giving each feeling its own space and color on the wheel, we acknowledge that all emotions—even uncomfortable ones—deserve recognition. One client described this as "giving permission to feel everything instead of just the 'good' emotions."

The color wheel excels at facilitating communication about complex emotional states. I've witnessed countless breakthrough moments when clients point to their wheel saying, "I'm feeling this mix of colors right now," opening conversations that might otherwise remain closed.

Additionally, the exercise encourages mindful reflection about emotions. As noted in one resource, "Being able to reflect on our emotions can benefit our emotional growth and wellbeing. The Feelings Wheel serves as a mirror that reflects the intricate tapestry of emotions within us" [15].

Perhaps most importantly, the emotion color wheel helps identify patterns and triggers in emotional responses. By referencing your wheel regularly, you might notice that certain situations consistently evoke particular emotional colors. This awareness is the first step toward emotional regulation.

The act of creating your own personalized wheel is therapeutic in itself. Many clients report that the process of thoughtfully categorizing and naming emotions builds neural pathways that make emotional recognition faster and more intuitive over time [11]. As one practitioner beautifully states, "Like the color spectrum itself, this emotion color wheel can help us remember that no emotions are bad—all of them have a role to play in the full spectrum of human emotions" [4].

The Container of Support

Image Source: Creative Therapy Ideas

Creating boundaries around overwhelming feelings is essential for emotional well-being. Throughout my years of practice, I've witnessed how the Container of Support exercise provides clients with a practical metaphor for managing intense emotions that might otherwise feel unbearable. This technique offers a tangible way to establish psychological safety when emotions threaten to overflow.

The Container of Support Concept

At its core, the Container of Support serves as a metaphorical (or sometimes physical) vessel designed to temporarily hold difficult emotions, memories, or thoughts that feel too overwhelming to process immediately [1]. Unlike suppressing emotions, this approach acknowledges their importance while creating healthy boundaries around when and how we engage with them.

The container concept originates from trauma therapy approaches, including EMDR, where it's used during stabilization and closure phases [16]. The fundamental idea is that we can externalize emotional experiences—giving them form, shape, and containment outside ourselves.

What makes this technique particularly powerful is that it returns control to the individual. As one resource notes, "The goal isn't to store these things forever, the goal is to empower yourself to open them up when you're ready" [17]. Essentially, the container becomes a tool for emotional regulation rather than avoidance.

You'll Need for the Container of Support

This exercise requires minimal supplies, making it accessible for anyone:

• Paper (plain or colored)

• Drawing tools (markers, colored pencils, pens)

• Optional: Three-dimensional materials for creating a physical container (box, clay, fabric)

• A quiet space where you feel safe to explore emotions

The container should have specific characteristics to be effective: "strong enough to hold what you put in it, not something you use in your life for other purposes, and something with a door/valve so that you can determine when you want to put something in or take it out" [16].

How-To: Container of Support Step-by-Step

1. Create your container: Begin by taking several deep breaths to center yourself [7]. Then, draw or construct a container that feels secure enough to hold difficult emotions. This might be a box, safe, vault, room, cave, or any structure that represents strength and security to you [18]. Add specific details that enhance feelings of safety—locks, thick walls, or other protective elements.

2. Design for containment: Ensure your container has:

   • Sturdy materials (represented through color, line weight, or texture)

   • A comfortable interior where emotions can rest safely

   • A secure closing mechanism (lid, door, or valve)

   • A locking system that only you control [19]

3. Identify what needs containment: Reflect on which emotions, thoughts, or memories feel overwhelming right now. You might visualize them as concrete objects (like letters) or abstract forms (like swirling mist) [17].

4. Place items in your container: Visualize yourself putting these challenging emotions or memories into your container. Some people prefer to:

   • Draw representations of each emotion and physically place them in a box

   • Write emotions on paper before adding them to the container

   • Use imagination to visualize the transfer of energy [20]

5. Secure your container: Close and lock your container, recognizing that you hold the key and control when to reopen it [17]. This step reinforces that you're not avoiding these feelings permanently—just creating temporary space.

Why the Container of Support Helps (Therapist's Insight)

During my clinical work, I've observed numerous therapeutic benefits from this seemingly simple exercise.

First and foremost, the container provides psychological distance from overwhelming material. By externalizing emotions through visual representation, clients gain perspective without becoming flooded [18]. One client described it as "being able to acknowledge my grief without drowning in it."

Apart from creating distance, this technique fosters a sense of agency and control. For trauma survivors who often feel powerless, the ability to decide when to engage with difficult material can be profoundly healing. As noted in one resource, "At a time when we can feel very much otherwise, creating a container for grief can be a way of regaining control" [21].

The container exercise operates on the principle of "compartmentalization"—a healthy, adaptive coping mechanism when used intentionally [21]. By temporarily containing difficult emotions, we create space to attend to immediate needs, restore our resources, and return to processing when we have adequate support.

Neurologically, this technique helps regulate the nervous system. During overwhelming emotional states, our prefrontal cortex (responsible for reasoning) becomes less accessible. The container exercise engages visual and sensory pathways, activating different brain regions and interrupting the stress response.

Undoubtedly, the most powerful aspect of this technique is its blend of acknowledgment and boundaries. Unlike unhealthy avoidance, the container explicitly recognizes the importance of difficult emotions: "The goal of the container exercise is that the container can hold these triggers for a time until it feels less threatening to talk about or think about them" [17].

For those struggling with anxiety, grief, or trauma responses, this exercise offers a concrete strategy for moving through daily life while honoring emotional needs. As one practitioner beautifully explains, "Grief is too much to carry all the time. Allowing ourselves to contain it, to set it down... creates balance and is restorative" [21].

The Body Feeling Scan

Image Source: art therapy

Our bodies hold wisdom that our conscious minds often can't access. The Body Feeling Scan taps into this hidden knowledge, creating a visual map of how emotions manifest physically. Throughout my therapy practice, I've watched clients make remarkable discoveries about their emotional landscapes simply by paying attention to physical sensations.

The Body Feeling Scan Concept

The Body Feeling Scan is a multi-dimensional art therapy practice that connects physical sensations with emotions. At its core, this technique helps individuals increase their body awareness, identify emotions, and gain deeper self-understanding [6]. By methodically scanning the body and translating sensations into visual representations, we bypass the limitations of verbal processing.

What makes this approach powerful is that it captures a snapshot of your emotional state in a specific moment. As one resource notes, "a body scan is a snapshot in time... a person's body scan may vary significantly across weeks, days, hours, or even minutes!" [6]. This temporal quality reminds us that our emotional states are fluid rather than fixed.

The practice honors the body-mind connection, recognizing that emotions manifest physically before we consciously identify them. Sensations like tension, tingling, warmth, or emptiness become valuable data points in understanding our emotional terrain.

You'll Need for the Body Feeling Scan

This accessible exercise requires minimal supplies:

• Paper with a body outline (printed or hand-drawn) [22]

• Coloring materials (markers, colored pencils, crayons)

• A quiet, comfortable space

• Optional: A journal for reflection

The simplicity of materials makes this exercise approachable for anyone, regardless of artistic experience. As with all the exercises in this series, the focus remains on the process of expression rather than creating a polished artwork.

How-To: Body Feeling Scan Step-by-Step

1. Find a comfortable position: Sit or lie down in a quiet space where you won't be disturbed [2]. Take several deep breaths to center yourself.

2. Begin the meditation phase: Close your eyes and systematically scan your body from head to toe (or toe to head). Notice any sensations without judgment—tension, warmth, tingling, heaviness, lightness, pain, or comfort [6].

3. Ask guiding questions: As you scan, ask yourself: "If this feeling had a color, shape, form, weight, temperature, or texture, what would it be like?" [2] Trust your intuition even if you don't have a clear mental image.

4. Move to the illustration phase: Open your eyes and use your coloring materials to transfer these sensations onto your body outline. Use colors, patterns, shapes, and lines to represent what you felt [6]. There's no right or wrong way to illustrate your experience.

5. Create a key or legend: Note what each color, shape, or pattern represents to you [6]. This step enhances self-awareness and helps track patterns over time.

6. Enter the interpretation phase: Reflect on your drawing. Where are sensations concentrated? Do you notice any patterns? Connect the physical sensations to possible emotions or experiences [6].

Why the Body Feeling Scan Helps (Therapist's Insight)

As a therapist, I've observed several transformative benefits from this deceptively simple practice.

Primarily, the body scan builds interoception—our ability to sense our internal state. Many people, especially those who've experienced trauma, lose connection with bodily sensations as a protective measure [22]. This exercise gently rebuilds that vital connection.

Moreover, body scanning helps identify physical warning signs of emotional distress before they escalate. For instance, a client might notice tension in their shoulders representing early signs of stress, allowing them to implement self-care strategies before the stress intensifies [6].

Another key benefit is grounding. In moments of emotional flooding, the methodical nature of body scanning anchors attention in the present moment. This exercise literally draws us back into our bodies when anxiety or strong emotions pull us into rumination [6].

For clients who struggle to verbalize feelings, the visual nature of this exercise provides an alternative language. One client remarked, "I couldn't explain my anxiety, but seeing the red spikes I drew around my chest helped me understand it was fear of rejection."

Perhaps most importantly, this practice validates that all emotions—even difficult ones—serve a purpose. By acknowledging and externalizing feelings, we create space to respond thoughtfully rather than react. In essence, we're empathizing with ourselves [2], a crucial step toward emotional regulation.

The Before and After Squiggle

Image Source: LinkedIn

Transformation happens over time—both in life and on paper. The Before and After Squiggle captures this journey visually, offering a powerful way to document emotional growth. Throughout my clinical practice, I've watched this deceptively simple exercise help clients recognize their capacity for change, as well as a reminder that difficult feelings are rarely permanent.

The Before and After Squiggle Concept

The Before and After Squiggle originates from the work of psychoanalyst Donald Woods Winnicott, who developed the "squiggle game" as a pencil-and-paper technique for eliciting thoughts and feelings [23]. Unlike structured drawing tests, Winnicott's approach features an entirely unstructured format, allowing maximum freedom for emotional expression [23].

At its heart, this exercise involves transforming random, meaningless lines into something meaningful—a process that mirrors how we make sense of chaotic experiences [24]. As noted by Winnicott himself, this exercise is "an act of therapy" where creating meaningful images out of random squiggles helps access our inner fantasy world [24].

What makes this technique especially valuable is its emphasis on anti-planning. In the words of one practitioner: "You will find this to be an exercise in anti-planning... When you have finished, you might say, 'I never would have planned that'" [5]. By surrendering to spontaneity, we bypass our critical inner voice.

You'll Need for the Before and After Squiggle

This exercise requires minimal materials:

• Paper (plain white works best)

• Drawing tools (pencil, markers, or colored pencils)

• A comfortable, quiet space

• Optional: coloring materials for embellishment

The simplicity of these supplies reinforces that this is about emotional expression, not artistic perfection—making it accessible for anyone regardless of drawing ability.

How-To: Before and After Squiggle Step-by-Step

1. Create your "before" page: Draw six to eight random squiggles spread evenly across your paper [5]. These can be roundish or angular, made of single or multiple lines.

2. Transform your squiggles: Look at each squiggle and allow your mind to find patterns—perhaps a squiggle reminds you of a face, object, or feeling [5]. Gently add lines to develop what you see emerging.

3. Add details: If you're stuck, try adding just one facial feature near a squiggle, or perhaps give it a hat or hairdo [5]. Remember there's no requirement to create human faces—any creature real or imagined is perfect [5].

4. Add color and context: Consider adding color to your transformed squiggles [5]. Mindless coloring often helps new ideas emerge naturally.

5. Create meaning: Add words, thought bubbles, or titles to each transformed squiggle [5]. What story do these images tell about your current emotional state?

6. Repeat later: The key to this exercise is returning to it later—perhaps after processing difficult feelings or working through a challenge—to create a new set that reflects your changed emotional state.

Why the Before and After Squiggle Helps (Therapist's Insight)

The therapeutic value of this exercise lies in its ability to access what Winnicott described as our "inner workings" [24]. By spontaneously drawing without pre-planning, we access parts of ourselves that logical thinking cannot reach.

According to clinical observations, this approach is "ideally suited to communicating with those who are often too young to articulate perceptions and feelings spontaneously, but are too old to be engrossed in play techniques" [23]—a description that applies equally well to adults struggling to verbalize complex emotions.

Most importantly, the Before and After aspect provides concrete evidence of emotional change over time. For clients convinced they'll "always feel this way," comparing squiggle sets from different timepoints offers powerful visual proof that feelings evolve and transform, just as their squiggles did.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Drawing offers a powerful pathway to emotional understanding when words fail us. Throughout my years as a therapist, these five simple drawing techniques have helped countless clients navigate overwhelming feelings without requiring any artistic talent. Each exercise works by activating different neural pathways than verbal processing, allowing emotions to flow through pen and paper rather than staying trapped inside.

You might wonder which technique to try first. The Scribble Switch-Up works particularly well for releasing pent-up energy, while the Emotion Color Wheel helps identify and name complex feelings. The Container of Support provides immediate relief from overwhelming emotions, whereas the Body Feeling Scan connects physical sensations to emotional states. Last but certainly not least, the Before and After Squiggle documents emotional transformation over time.

What matters most isn't how your drawings look but rather what they reveal about your inner landscape. These exercises serve as mirrors reflecting parts of yourself that might otherwise remain hidden. My clients often express surprise at what emerges on paper – insights they couldn't access through conversation alone.

Remember that emotional expression through art bypasses our inner critic. Your logical mind might struggle to articulate complex feelings, yet your hand can express them naturally through color, line, and form. This direct channel between emotion and expression explains why even those who claim zero artistic ability find relief through these simple techniques.

Take a moment now to consider which exercise resonates most with your current needs. Perhaps your body feels tense with unexpressed anger – the Body Feeling Scan might help. Maybe overwhelming thoughts need containment – try the Container exercise. Whatever you choose, approach it with curiosity rather than judgment.

After witnessing hundreds of clients transform their relationship with difficult emotions through these exercises, I can confidently say that anyone can benefit from them. These techniques aren't about creating masterpieces – they're about creating understanding. All you need is paper, something to draw with, and willingness to explore. Your emotions deserve expression, and sometimes, the simplest mark on paper can begin that healing journey.

Key Takeaways

These five therapeutic drawing techniques offer accessible pathways to emotional healing when words aren't enough, requiring no artistic skill—just willingness to explore.

• The Scribble Switch-Up transforms chaos into meaning - Create spontaneous lines, then discover hidden shapes to release stress and bypass perfectionism in 15-20 minutes.

• Color wheels build emotional vocabulary - Map feelings to colors in a personalized wheel that validates all emotions and helps identify patterns over time.

• Container exercises provide emotional boundaries - Draw secure vessels to temporarily hold overwhelming feelings, creating psychological distance while maintaining control over when to process them.

• Body scans connect physical sensations to emotions - Map where feelings live in your body through color and shape, building awareness of early warning signs.

• Before/after squiggles document transformation - Transform random marks into meaningful images, then repeat later to visually prove that difficult emotions change over time.

These techniques work by activating different neural pathways than verbal processing, allowing trapped emotions to flow through pen and paper. The key isn't artistic perfection but emotional expression—your hand can naturally communicate what your logical mind struggles to articulate. Start with whichever exercise resonates most with your current emotional needs.

FAQs

What are some simple drawing exercises for managing emotions?

Some effective drawing exercises include creating an emotion color wheel, doing a body feeling scan, making a container of support, trying the scribble switch-up technique, and creating before and after squiggles. These exercises help express and process emotions visually without requiring artistic skill.

How can drawing help with mental health?

Drawing can be a powerful tool for mental health by providing a non-verbal outlet for emotions, reducing stress, increasing self-awareness, and offering a sense of control. It allows individuals to externalize and process complex feelings that may be difficult to verbalize.

Do I need to be good at art to benefit from therapeutic drawing?

No, artistic skill is not required to benefit from therapeutic drawing exercises. The focus is on the process of expression rather than creating polished artwork. These techniques are designed to be accessible to anyone willing to explore their emotions through simple mark-making.

How often should I practice these drawing techniques?

There's no set frequency - you can use these techniques as often as you find helpful. Some people may benefit from daily practice, while others might use them on an as-needed basis when dealing with intense emotions or during therapy sessions.

Can therapeutic drawing replace traditional talk therapy?

While therapeutic drawing can be a valuable complement to mental health treatment, it's not typically meant to replace traditional talk therapy. These techniques often work best when integrated into a comprehensive approach to mental health that may include various forms of therapy, medication if prescribed, and other self-care practices.

References

[1] - https://www.swc.edu/wild-heart-gallery-2/containers-in-art-therapy/
[2] - https://www.thirstyforart.com/blog/how-to-draw-feelings
[3] - https://psychcentral.com/health/emotion-wheel
[4] - https://lindsaybraman.com/emotion-color-wheel/
[5] - https://latahrecoverycenter.org/2021/02/08/from-squiggles-to-faces/
[6] - https://cadenzacenter.com/mapping-your-emotions-the-transformative-power-of-body-scan-art-therapy/
[7] - https://therapybeyondthecouch.com/crying-while-at-work-try-this/
[8] - https://cerebral.com/blog/unlock-better-mental-health-with-a-feelings-wheel
[9] - https://www.mindfulcoachingtools.com/free-tools/p/the-feelings-wheel
[10] - https://do2learn.com/organizationtools/EmotionsColorWheel/activity1.htm
[11] - https://ahead-app.com/blog/eq-at-work/diy-emotion-wheel-build-your-own-emotional-intelligence-tool-at-home
[12] - https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2021/02/how-to-make-and-use-an-emotional-wheel/
[13] - https://www.crayoncollection.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Art-Lessons-Color-Wheel-of-Emotion-by-Crayon-Collection.pdf
[14] - https://www.alternativetomeds.com/wp-content/uploads/-third-party/Art-Printable-2.pdf
[15] - https://www.calm.com/blog/the-feelings-wheel
[16] - https://jnzccp.scholasticahq.com/article/94469-container-exercise-using-kindness
[17] - https://therapyinanutshell.com/container-method/
[18] - https://southhillscounseling.com/blog/art-therapy-techniques-you-can-practice-at-home
[19] - https://yung-sidekick.com/blog/top-15-mental-health-drawing-ideas-in-therapy
[20] - https://creativityintherapy.com/2019/02/protective-containers-using-art-strengthen-metaphor/
[21] - https://hosparushealth.org/blog/create-a-container-to-hold-grief/
[22] - https://www.arttherapynj.com/post/increasing-body-awareness-body-outline-in-art-therapy
[23] - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7005855/
[24] - https://www.fantasy-animation.org/the-squiggle-game