Art Therapy Activity for Anger

Hello friends, today, I'll show you how to make art when you feel angry or mad.

This exercise will help you feel more grounded and calm by releasing the tension, processing the source of anger, and getting in touch with your body.

I make art for myself and have been helping people through art therapy for years. As a way to keep up with my own self therapeutic art practice, I am sharing this with you and invite you on this creative journey.

Make yourself comfortable and cozy by setting up the space and atmosphere. You can burn some candles and brew some tea.

If want to watch the step by step video where I share the exercise you can see it here:

WATCH HERE

Art Materials You Need

The materials you need are:

air-dry clay
clay modeling tools (optional)

Mindfulness and Intention

Before the art, let's invite mindfulness and become aware of our physical body/self. Gently place your attention on your breathing, in and out.

Put your left hand on your heart, right hand on your belly.

When you feel angry, what sensations do you have in your body and where do you feel this?

Let's also invite some intention. When we do this self art therapy exercise, we want to practice non-judgment and acceptance. There is no right or wrong way to make art. Simply focus on expressing yourself honestly.

The therapeutic Art Prompt

Now that you are ready, here are the steps:

Use clay to make an “angry” object or animal
Express what this angry object or animal is trying to protect (or what it is afraid of - guess if you have to)

Clay work is a kinesthetic experience that releases tension, stimulates energy and helps discharge it through movement.

Since the material is resistive it takes our energy, and we become more invested in it.

Reflective Writing

After you are finished with the work, let's do some reflective exercise to go deeper into our therapeutic artwork.

Bring a journal and a pen. Write down the answers to these questions:

What is it like to work with clay? What did you like or not like about it?
What comes to mind when you look at the two pieces? Similarities and differences?

Thanks for following along with this self art therapy practice. We all benefit when you feel joy and peace within you. See you next time!

P.S. I’ve had SO many artists, teachers, coaches, therapists, etc. use the activities I share on my blog within their work - which is awesome! But are you curious about therapeutic art and want to learn how to facilitate it or incorporate it in your work to help others in a deeper way? Then I’ve got the ✨perfect✨ resource for you. My Therapeutic Art Facilitation School course is THE place where you can learn the solid foundation to therapeutic art work. I teach you my step by step signature method of using therapeutic art to help people, even if you’re just starting (no specific background/degree needed). Want to learn how to do this? Check out my therapeutic art course here.

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