This is a simple art therapy activity to execute – The Self Portrait. There are many ways to do a self portrait. For this instance, we will leave it as wide-open as possible. Create anything, however you want with whatever you want, that speaks to who you are as a person. For this activity, any art goes here. You can draw, paint, sculpt, collage, collect…it’s totally up to you. Just come up with some way of communicating how you see yourself. There’s no mirror here, just an open canvas, your imagination, and the process by which you are creating your art.
What did you end up with? Look for any patterns within what you have. Are there any themes that you can come away with? As you’re putting your self-portrait together you can think of why you’re choosing what you’re choosing or you can reflect on your creative process later.
I’m really glad I found this website.
I am interested to know if the activity itself is ok to implement with a group of teens who experience a variety of mental health issues and allow them to exolore the art without diving into the therapy aspect. I am not an art therapist (yet) and I am afraid of getting in too deep with an issue I may not be able to resolve.
@Deb,
I’d go with your inclination here and, as you said, allow them to create a self-portrait and just enjoy the activity and process of creativity. If you’re not a certified art therapist, I’d be careful not to get into the “therapy” aspect too much as you mentioned…especially if you’re a teacher, for example. After they’ve created their self-portrait, you can also tell them to reflect on their art an/or share it with their parents.
good afternoon.:)do you have an article from which you based this blog? we would like to explore this therapy for our thesis. thank you.:)
I am a high school senior at sussex tech. Our stem project is basically most of our grade. and i am putting together an intergenerational program between volunteer high school students from my school and elderly in a long term care facility. I was searching to find a good lesson to do on the first day, kind of like an ice breaker. I came upon this idea, and feel as though it will be great. Without getting in depth with it, i feel as though it is a way for the student and elder pair to get to know one another to start a relationship. Thanks tons 🙂
@Alexandria: Thanks for sharing…and happy to hear you found it useful 🙂
A therapist friend uses this concept for clients in a group to make a “puppet” with a body outline (no head) to create a self portrait. She asks the client to explain their puppet to the group and then uses her self-made puppet to ask each client “How are you feeling?” “What do you need?”. Then asks the client’s puppet to ask the person to help them get what they need.
This activity is a wonderful way to help the clients reveal who they are to the other members of the group and to discover their inner resources.
I’m going to be working with a group of elderly residents at a home, and was wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas on a self portrait project for this age group?
Hi there, I am running a one day color and pastel workshop for rural woman of various ages, and I am looking for some fun exercises to help them to experience the powerful effects of colour. As I dont want the exercises to be to confronting, I thought this kind of exercise would work well as the participants can choose how deeply they want to go. But I am looking something with more of a focus on Colour. I was wondering if you have any suggestions.
Thanks
Tania
@Tania, check out our various color therapy posts.
Hi,
I am a psychologist and have been working with children in conflict with law and would really like to initiate some art therapy modules that can be done in a group setting. I find the idea of a self portrait to be interesting. Could you please help me with more suggestions?
This website is excellent and wonderfully informative for anyone interested in art therapy, particularly for those of us who are planning a change in career direction towards becoming a practitioner. I reside in Adelaide, Australia where there is a wonderful Advanced Diploma course in Transpersonal art therapy. I’m planning on e rolling once I finish my Diploma in Counselling.
Thank you for providing such thought provoking posts. I’m currently exploring mandala art for a personal creative outlet and so far am loving its effect.