An art therapy program in Tacoma, WA can be a great way to let out what you are feeling. You may discover something new about your anxiety that can make it easier to explain to a therapist. Here are some art therapy activities to better visualize your anxiety and to make you calmer. Even better, combining these activities with other addiction or mental health therapy programs can make a major difference in treatment.
At Bayview Recovery, we’re committed to providing exceptional treatment for all of our clients. With holistic treatments, such as art therapy, we can give you the tools to manage and overcome your addiction and any underlying mental health issues. However, the first step is to reach out for help. To learn more about our services or our art therapy program, please contact Bayview Recovery today at 855.478.3650 or use our helpful online form.
Art Therapy Activities For Anxiety
Art therapy can be crucial during an anxiety treatment program. The idea of a panic attack can have the tendency to put you into a panic attack either from stress or unexpectedly in a new place with new people. Fortunately, there are a wide array of strategies you can use to manage your anxiety through art.
Make a Panic Book
One strategy we use in art therapy is helping you make yourself a panic book to help you feel calm and comforted. Get yourself a sketchbook or a notebook and collect items such as:
- Magazines
- Paint
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Stamps
Make a collage or a drawing of anything you love that makes you feel calm, like going to the beach, meeting a certain person, spending time at the library, or reading a poem. Once you are done making it, carry the book with you, continue to add to it, and use it when you feel anxious or about to have a panic attack so you can put yourself in a safe place.
Represent Anxiety as Something Else
Another activity you can do is to represent your anxiety as a human, something abstract, or a monster to recognize when your anxiety comes out and how to deal with it. Draw, paint, or create a collage that represents your anxiety. Think about the body and personality, voice, interests, and what the body would look like with and without anxiety. You can even journal your discovery right next to your work. You can also make mindfulness beads by going to the store and picking out the ones that stand out. Make a string for a keychain or a bracelet in the order that appeals to you. Reflect on the beads’ appearance, texture, noises, or focus on each bead one at a time.
Try Zentangle
You can also create zentrangles where you draw patterns so you can enter yourself into a peaceful state by focusing on the moment. First, draw four dots with one on each corner. Then, draw a border on a square piece of paper. Draw a string or multiple strings to divide the page with. Lastly, draw confident strokes with a pen of defined shapes. Do not worry what the work of art looks like as long as you draw the shapes within the border. Shade the shapes with a graphite pencil and initial your work of art.
Reach Out to Bayview Recovery Center
Located in Tacoma, Washington, Bayview Recovery Center’s mission is to offer clinically-driven programs and services to treat a number of substance abuse disorders along with anxiety and depression. Programs that we offer include the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical-behavioral therapy program
- Trauma therapy program
- Yoga therapy program
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
To learn more about art therapy activities for anxiety, contact Bayview Recovery today by calling 855.478.3650. Our team of professionals is ready to help you manage your mental health.
