Play Therapy Pictionary Activity

This is an exercise in play therapy art that is similar to the game Pictionary. Basically, the play therapy client and the play therapist are making a play therapy game out of feelings.

This play therapy activity is an excellent way to identify and release feelings in the form of play therapy art.

Materials for Play Therapy Pictionary Game:

Several large sheets of white paper

Colored markers, crayons, or paint

List of five to ten “feeling words”

Easel or table

Directions for Play Therapy Pictionary Game:

1. Ask your play therapy client to pick five to ten feeling words and write them down. These feeling words should come from feelings the client has experienced in the past day or week.

2. Once the feeling words have been identified, ask the play therapy client to paint or draw (with colored markers or crayons) the feelings on paper.

3.The play therapist will call out a word while the play therapy client paints or draws a feeling related to the “feeling word” the therapist stated. This game is similar to Pictionary.

4. The play therapist will continue to state the “feeling words” identified by the play therapy client. Each “feeling word” will be drawn or painted to create a unique “feeling picture.”

5. Discuss the drawing or painting after each “feeling word” is stated. Talk about the final picture or painting and process what it felt like for the play therapy client to put the feelings down on paper.

6. The play therapy client may want to take the picture home to celebrate their feelings, or to further explore their feelings.

Play Therapy Pictionary to Art Counseling

Play Therapy Pictionary to Creative Counseling 101 Home

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.