An Art therapy Directive- “Who’s at your table?”

An Art therapy Directive- “Who’s at your table?”

This is one of those art therapy directives that I have used quite a few times in 1:1 work and also in groups too.  I know I have used this directive when I lead groups at a county jail, at an outpatient mental health program and also at a residential program for people in early recovery. 

Introducing the topic:  When leading an art therapy group, I always come prepared with a few directives that I think could be meaningful for the group members, but in the end, I always trust them to do what they need to do during our time together.  I explain that I see them as the experts in their lives and that they know what they need to do to make our time together meaningful.   So for those that wanted to try this specific directive, I would encourage them to draw a table or a circle or square that represents a table and then to draw who is sitting at their table, meaning who are the most important people in their lives.  Who sees them? Who supports them?  Who notices them and includes them?  I let them know they can include people from their past and they can include people who have passed on.  If they don’t want to draw actual people, maybe that feels too hard, I let them know that they can pick shapes or colors to represent a person too.  Or they can also find images in a magazine and use those images to represent their support system too.  

Background- Why this directive is helpful…as a therapist, this gives me an opportunity to assess the quality of social connections.  Quality over quantity.  Hopefully, every client has at least one solid person in their life currently and if not, then I want to know that and if they want, help them strengthen connections or explore what could work for them.  We know that maintaining one’s mental health and recovery happens within relationships.  (The therapeutic alliance is a big part of what makes therapy so powerful).  And we also know loneliness is a big contributor to depression, anxiety and physical health issues.  

In addition to providing an overview of how many people are in one’s circle, this directive can also open the door to talk about what makes someone a true friend or support, what does one value in a friendship and have there been any losses over time.  

Discussion Questions- After letting clients work on their artwork for a big chunk of time, I encourage those that want to share to share and those that don’t, do not have to share.  I also encourage clients to state their needs while sharing. Do they want feedback? Or do they just want peers to listen?  

I have seen the post drawing discussion go in so many different directions which is really cool.  For example, I have seen people share about the grief they feel over losing someone important that once sat at their table or regret at letting a friendship dissolve and I’ve also heard clients share about having a strong, small circle of friends.  I’ve also heard clients who are lonely ask for help in getting more people to sit at one’s table.  I’ve also seen this topic bring up family dynamics.  Are family members at one’s table? And the actual table itself has led to interesting discussion.  Is the table stable?  Did people sit down at a table for dinner with their family?  What role did the dining table play in one’s life when they were younger? Or currently? I’ve also seen people connect this activity to powerful quotes including one from author Tene Edwards who stated,  “You must find the courage to leave the table if respect is no longer being served.”

I hope this blog post gives you more insight into how powerful art therapy can be.  Please reach out if you have any questions or comments or if you would like to work together.  I’m a licensed LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) and an ATR (Registered Art Therapist) that provides traditional talk therapy, art therapy and EMDR to clients throughout all of California via telehealth or if you live in the Los Angeles area, I have a small office in Mar Vista for in person sessions.  

The best way to reach me is via email. 

With kindness, 

Kim

 Kim@kimberlygibsoncounseling.com.