Mountains and Valleys (High Functioning)

Thanks Heidi Bolster for submitting another great art therapy activity!  See here for a version adapted to a lower functioning group!

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This activity is to assist patients in problem solving, and to help them create a plan and hope for their future.

Materials

·         Paper

·         Markers, crayons, colored pencils

Description

·         Instruct patients to draw a mountain and a valley

·         Discuss with patients how we have mountains and valleys in our lives

·         Have patients think of the valley they are in and the mountain they are climbing

·         Have patients write or draw pictures on their drawing to describe this mountain and valley they are currently dealing with

·         Above the mountain instruct patients to write down coping skills, names of people who can help them, and beliefs they have that will help them climb their mountain

·         *Extra: instruct patients to draw a path from the valley floor to the top of the mountain and along the path have them write down steps they plan to take to reach the top.

·         Discuss drawings with patients throughout this activity (step by step) and help patients to see options where they may feel effort is useless.