ICE BREAKERS in ART-THERAPY FOR GROUPS: 1.

When a Squiggle Breaks the Ice Starting a group at a new site is always a challenge, but one that I enjoy and welcome. Today I started a new group working with seniors at a local Senior Daycare. My first challenge was to get the group members acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the idea of using art suppliessomething they hadnt done perhaps since elementary schoola long time ago. What they needed was an ice-breaker. So we started with something called a squiggle drawing. So what is a squiggle drawing you may ask? Squiggle Drawing was originally developed by British pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott. The idea was to have Winnicott start the drawing with drawing a squiggle, using any drawing media, and have the group members (or individual, depending on whom he was working with at the time) expand on the drawing by adding their own squiggle. The drawing would go back and forth between the group leader and members, until the page was filled. Then group members could take turns giving their own interpretations as to what they saw on the page. Different shapes that evolved could also filled in with color, adding to the detail in the drawing. What happens is magicalgroup members end up paying attention to what the last group member added and reacting to it. This is a wonderful way to get group members in touch with each other, even if they have other cognitive deficits that may hinder their doing that as much verbally. This is the wonderful and powerful part about art therapy and art making that transcends any handicap, issue or deficit a participant may have! In giving my group members an array of materials, their senses became engaged with the properties of each materialthe dusty quality of the chalk pastels, the thin, fine line of the magic markers, they were being given the chance to experiment and enjoy the process. How the product looked was the last thing they had to think about. We engaged in the squiggle drawing for the first quarter of the group. Group members became more relaxed in their use of the art materials. It was free flowingand fun. At the conclusion of the squiggle drawing exercise, the group shifted in discussion to their lives before retirement, and what they did and enjoyed. Their favorite season? Summer won hands down! Beach scenes came alive on paper, using combined art mediawhat they ate at

picnics on the beach, which beach they did go to (beach trips in NJ can be quite a hike depending on where in the state you liveso they were rare but remembered memories of their younger years), and whom they went on these trips with. Jogging memories that may have not been thought about for a long time, the group members were remembering details such as favorite picnic foods, the feel of the sand and the waves, and New Jerseys famous beachside boardwalks! Each group member remarked at the end of the session This was different! The power of art therapy, making art accessible to all who can partake in it, with no judgement, or pre-planned project (although we will do those sometimes as well in the future as the groups become established), allowed the group members to access their memories and connect with each other in a way that was non-verbal, non-threatening, and engaged them in a multisensory way brought to life their creativity and imagination. It was an honor to be with these gentlemen today! FOR INDIVIDUALS: Icebreakers with Children

Crafts and artwork provide a great icebreaker for children. Coloring, drawing or creating simple crafts give children an opportunity to have fun while building rapport. Some children benefit from non-directive art, while others require some encouragement and request ideas from the therapist. Physical activity provides an opportunity to boost a depressed child's mood and energy level. Simply physical activities, such as hitting a balloon back and forth, helps many children become more talkative. Icebreakers with Adolescents

Adolescents are slow to warm up to a therapist, especially if attending therapy was not their idea. Play a non-therapy related game, such as a card game, to engage an adolescent and provide an opportunity to help her relax. Another activity that helps build trust includes asking the client questions about their likes and dislikes. Ask non-threatening questions about the client's favorite food or television show. Then the client asks the therapist to answer the same questions. Icebreakers with Adults

Light conversation topics, such as pets, activities the client enjoys participating in or the weather, provide an icebreaker for many adult clients. Other clients benefit from more structured icebreakers. Complete a genogram, or family tree, to provide an opportunity for a client to begin opening up about his life in a structured way. Create a time line of the client's significant events to provide an opportunity to share facts about his history.

FOR GROUPS: - Q-Ball I made this up for a retreat. It was a hit, and I still have my ball, ten years later. This suggestion is very inexpensive, easy to do (therefore, easy to instruct), and can be made to fit the needs of the group. All that you need is a rubber playground-style ball (light in color) or a beachball, and a permanent marker. All over the ball, write numerous questions with the permanent marker. You can use simple questions, like "What is your name?" or "Where were you born?" to questions pertaining to the reason that the group is together. For instance, if the icebreaker is being done at a therapy group, questions like "What is your favorite season?" or "Do you have any pets?" - questions that usually help cultivate good, relaxing feelings. For work, you could use questions like "What is one way you would improve the work atmosphere?" or "How long have you been in this field?" Okay, now that you have the questions, lead off with the ball in your hands, and the rest of the group in a connecting circle. Bounce the ball to someone else. However they catch the ball, there should be an easily accessible question. Whatever that question may be, they must read it aloud, answer it, and then pass the ball to someone else. Make it as silly or professional; personal or impersonal; fact or fiction... it's entirely up to you, the leader/speaker. - 2 Lies, 1 Truth There are not many variations to this one, but it is pretty well-known. This is a fun "game", and can be done for groups of any age, and any size. Simply instruct everyone to (silently) think of 2 "lies" about themselves, and one truth. The lies could be a twist on something true, like if someone has 3 children/siblings, that person could say "I have five children/siblings." Or, it could be something completely off-the-wall, like "I have flown in a space shuttle." Then, of course, the truth... You can make this specific to the group, or general. Specific, as in having everyone tell one truth about their battle with cancer (for a support group), something that they accomplished (work), or one thing that they did over the summer (school class). Have each person tell their 2 lies and 1 truth - in any order - to the rest of the group. Then, have the entire group shout out which of the 3 they think is the "truth". Have the person advise the group as to which is true, and maybe tell a bit about the truth... Normally, people easily think of a

"truth". That means that it is something either fresh on their mind, or meaningful. It may be a good conversation starter. - Would you rather? I have heard teens play this before, and have seen versions of the game in stores. Funny, I am pretty sure that it started out as an icebreaker! There are a few variations to this one. Here is my rendition: Have everyone think of a "Would you rather..." question. You can ask that it be related to the group setting, if desired. Give everyone a few minutes to think. Once everyone has one in mind, have one person start, by asking his/her question. Then, have each person say which they would rather, or decide collectively as a group. Some questions may be more intense than others and may be provocative, and some may lead to a great discussion. No matter what, it will bring out one's personality, and could make for interesting fun! Here are some suggestion "Would you rather..." questions:

"Would you rather spend a day alone on a deserted island, or with thousands of people at a world event?" "Would you rather find true love or win the lottery?" (For work) "Would you rather have 3 weeks of vacation time, or work 6 hours a day, but be paid for 8?" (For kids) "Would you rather spend the day at the zoo, or spend the day at the library?"

- Never Have I Ever.. I did this one, I believe, with a church youth group. I may have used it when working with a boys' home, too, teaching tobacco cessation. Regardless, it is fun, and thought-provoking. Make sure that it does not get too out of hand, though, as it easily can! (So, you may want to give boundaries.) Have everyone stand in a circle, while you stand in the middle. Have everyone hold up one hand, with three fingers up, and two down (as if signing the number 3). Then, say "Never have I ever..." followed by something that you yourself havenot done. So, myself, I would say "Never have I ever been to Australia". Then, anyone that has done whatever it is, puts 1 finger down. Pick someone else to say a "Never have I ever..." statement. Continue until the group has collectively decided that they are done, or until everyone's fingers are down. Another way that this could be played is: Have everyone stand in the circle, with you in the middle. Say a "Never have I ever..." statement. Whomever has done that thing, races to the middle of the circle. If more than one person does, whomever gets to the middle first, remains. You join the circle, and the person who raced to the

middle then says a "Never have I ever..." statement. Let the game go for about ten minutes, as it may get somewhat exhausting, or -as previously mentioned- out of hand. This icebreaker may be more suitable for a younger group, like middle school to college range. - Acting Mixer Acting Mixer (I just made up a name for it; not very clever, I know...) is great for both kids and adults. Regardless of the group size, this is rather easy to do, and very entertaining. You will need one index card for each person attending. Decide whether to go with a theme or not. A theme could be "movies", "school subjects", or "holidays". On the front of each card, write down a noun, like "Marilyn Monroe", "Godzilla", "smart phone", or "Christmas tree". When everyone arrives, pass out the cards, back/blank-side up. Advise everyone not to turn the card over (not to read what is written on it). Then, ask everyone to find another person to pair with, or randomly pair them yourself. Now, from here, you can have one person go at a time, or both at the same time. There are many ways to do this. Here's the most basic: Have each person stick the index card to their shirt or forehead (use tape, or just hold it there). At this point, the other person in the pair will see what the card says, still no one should know what their own says. Advise that the pairs have 5 minutes to act out (or act like) what the card says (like charades). You can add rules, if you would like, such as "You can not say what is on the card." That, though, should go without saying. Anyway, each person tries to guess what their card says. Another way to do this, is to still attach the card, but have each person introduce him/herself and have a conversation, while acting as/like what is on the other person's card. Again, trying to guess what their own card says.

- Conversational Icebreakers If you do not feel the need to have the group on their feet and moving, but would rather have them thinking and talking more, conversational icebreakers are the way to go. Here are a few ideas:

"My movie". -Ask everyone to think about their life as a movie. Who would be the starring actor/actress, in what language would it be, where would it be shot/made? Have each person share. "Name and number." -Ask everyone to introduce themselves by telling the group their name, and then a number... The number of children/siblings they have, the number of years they have been in remission, worked in that particular department/location, been alive, lived

in their current house, etc. It could be anything! I do not, however, recommend giving a phone number or address! =]

"Name game." -Have each person explain how/why their parents named them as they did. If someone does not know (explain this ahead of time, to avoid an uncomfortable moment), have them make up a story.

Here are some other questions that you could ask to evoke a response, and have each person share his/her answer:

"Would you want to live forever?" "What is your favorite quotation?" "If you could have dinner with anyone famous (dead or alive), who would it be?" "If you won the lottery, what is the first thing that you would do?" "What is one humanitarian effort that you would do, if you had a limitless amount of money to invest in that one idea?" "What is your favorite love song?"

There are endless thought-provoking questions that you could ask of the group, which could be as specific or as broad as you desire. Try not to make it too difficult of a question, or too personal of a question. The idea of conversational icebreakers to ease and relax people and to spark creativity, not to make anyone uncomfortable, or alienate anyone. - A couple for the kids You may remember doing one or two of these at summer camp. They're cheap, fun ways to foster team building and trust in younger people.

"Inside out circle." - Have everyone stand in a circle, and hold hands. Then, without breaking the circle, try to turn it "inside out"! (Instead of facing inwards, everyone would face out.) "TP time." - Have each person take some toilet paper from a roll (however much they would like, but try to limit it). Once everyone has some TP, have each person say one nice or interesting thing about him/herself... for each piece of TP he/she has! "Human knot." Have everyone stand closely to each other (as if in a huddle), and hold out their hands. Then, have everyone grab two other hands. The thing is, though, the two other hands can not belong to the same person. Everyone should be somewhat intertwined. Once everyone is connected, have the group try to disassemble (and ultimately form a circle), without letting go of each other. "My name starts with..." Have each person say their name, and then say one nice/interesting thing about him/herself using the first letter of their name.

- No more "chill" in the air Break the ice with something light-hearted, thought-provoking, or relaxing, and you will have a more willing and attentive group. Whatever the occasion, icebreakers are a great, inexpensive way to boost confidence, ease tensions, get to know one another, and foster team building. These ideas can be used for many other occasions, like holiday get-togethers or kids' birthday parties.

- Funny Intro One of the essential group therapy activities is to introduce oneself to the whole group, and, for some, it can be a daunting task. The 'funny intro' is a great idea to get people to introduce themselves to the group. You ask the participants to tell their first names and tell 3 funny things about themselves. For example: My name is Sam. I talk in my sleep, always walk with my hands in my trouser pockets and make noises when sipping coffee. - Mimicry Imitating celebrities is one of the sure-fire ways of getting a few laughs and lightening the mood in the session. You can even assign to each participant a celebrity that they have to mimic in front of the group. It is an interesting activity, as participants explore their talents of acting and socializing. - Building Trust Blind Artist Trust is a very important group therapy topic, since it helps build confidence in the participants and helps them in cultivating new relationships. Divide the participants in pairs, blindfold one member and give a diagram to the other. The blindfolded teammate has to draw the diagram on the board by listening to the instructions of the other teammate. After the diagram is finished, give another diagram, this time reversing the roles. Walking Backwards Clutter the floor with obstacles and arrange pieces of furniture in a haphazard manner. Divide the

group in pairs. One member from each team would be the 'navigator' and the other will navigate the course. The person navigating the course has to do it walking backwards without looking behind. It is the responsibility of the other team member to give correct directions to help the team member successfully navigate the course. People with depression find this game very therapeutic as they start to realize the importance of trust. - Self-discovery "Ask it" Basket Sharing is the integral tool of group therapy activities and getting the participants to share their experiences on relevant subjects is crucial. Ask the participants to write their strongest negative emotions. When they are done writing, ask them to fold the piece of paper and put it in a hat/bowl. Randomly call members from the group and ask them to pick a chit from the hat and share their experience on that emotion. - Spin the Bottle A good game to get people talking about their strengths and weaknesses is 'spin the bottle'. Get a bottle and paste a (+) sign on the cap and a (-) sign on the bottom. Ask the participants to form a circle and then spin the bottle in the middle, just like any popular variation of the game. Whoever is directly in line with the (+) sign of the bottle will have to talk about their strengths and the one in line with the (-) sign has to talk about their traits that need to be worked on. Using group therapy activities is one of the simplest ways of behavior modification, education, and transforming the participants' outlook. Group therapy is being effectively used for people suffering with disorders like schizophrenia, depression, addiction, obesity, etc. It also has wider application and can be used to propagate well-being and personality development. Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/group-therapy-activities-for-adults.html