[atisketatasket]

I'm not talking about art therapy. I'm talking about traditional talk therapy.

Early on, back when I had more trouble expressing myself, No. 1 first offered writing and then drawing as a alternate way of communication. The effect of this was quite salutary: I was so horrified at the idea of drawing as an adult in therapy (plus I can't draw), and I so hate writing things down, that I immediately started verbalizing more. Mission semi-accomplished.

What I've never understood was what on earth she thought I was going to draw. The reason I came to therapy wasn't something that was going to lend itself to drawing, she knew that. I understand the usefulness for kids, of course.

So - does anyone here draw in therapy? What do you draw? Does it help?

[stopdog]

I made the woman a power point presentation a while back.

[Georgia Bridge]

That's a cool name... a green and yellow basket... I drew in therapy once... T gave me a long roll of paper and asked me to take it home and draw out some of the painful memories and then I'd bring the drawings back and we'd talk about them... we only did that a few times and that was a very long time ago... I don't think it would have worked if I'd drawn while I was with her in her office, but as "homework" it did actually help because it brought to my mind stuff I'd forgotten about. I'm glad we only did that a few times; I think it would have gotten old fast.

I think the trying to express yourself in therapy is part of the work.

[SheHulk07]

I don't draw in individual therapy, but I do color in group. It helps me calm down and not be so anxious while being around others. I'd be interested in what the benefit of drawing and what your therapist would suggest you draw during a session

[CantExplain]

[Tongalee]

I tend to draw in therapy when my "inner child" had much to say, but no voice to say it. I've drawn out the terrible images that are stuck playing over and over in my mind in attempts to get them out, even if only momentarily. I find it relaxing, it takes a lot odd the pressure off, and it really does help with the images. The more I draw them, the less they occur. It's also really good for creating a place where you are asked to be less self critical, to make something on a way that most adults are told they cannot. How many of us think that we can't do art because what we produce is not at the level of the famous? Does this mean though that we cannot make art? I can sing, everyone able to use their voice can sing. We may not be Aretha Franklin or Janis Joplin, but we are still singing

[doyoutrustme]

I've brought in drawings, but I've never tried drawing while in therapy. I've thought about it, but I would feel even more vulnerable drawing than I would speaking.

[lunatic soul]

I don't draw at all so I don't draw at therapy.

[stopdog]

I would draw but the woman sits on the other side of the coffee table and would not be able to see it. I think it would help her understand what I am saying. And I am not an artist at all - I would probably use X and Y and maybe blackacre and greenacre (nothing like CE's artistic renderings) - I would use it so the woman could follow what I am saying. Also it might help me think. But I also like writing - although probably not at an appointment - because I can think about how to best express something.
The second one I see suggested drawing - but I did not see that it would help me with that one as communication is not so challenging with the second one.

[atisketatasket]

Part of my problem was that I can see drawing as trauma treatment, as a couple posters mentioned. But I went to therapy for help with an increasingly unbearable ongoing situation that to me doesn't lend itself to drawing.

I suppose too my mother is an artist and a very good one, and even though she has always claimed I had the same talent if I wanted to develop it, I avoided her metier and took up photography instead.

I could totally do a power point though.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[SallyBrown]

I've done drawings, but not IN therapy, and only when it seemed to me that it would be helpful in conveying what's going on with me. They weren't trauma-related.

More often I have brought writing to therapy. I express myself better in writing than I do verbally. Very rarely I have written something down IN therapy when I just couldn't bring myself to say it out loud, but I don't see this as the same thing.

As someone who tends to make powerpoints and spreadsheets for absolutely everything, there are times when it has been tempting...

(Have you read A Visit from the Good Squad? There's an entire chapter in powerpoint.)

ETA: so perhaps to get closer to your point, I've used alternative modes of expression when *I* have deemed them more useful, but my T hasn't asked me to express something in any other way himself.

[junkDNA]

i have colored in therapy. it helped me to be able to talk more freely while i was also distracted with coloring.

i have also done a lot of therapy art projects/homework. they are collages i do about my internal parts/ego states. like, healthy adult, healthy parent, child. etc.