Creative Expression Activities for Teens: Exploring Identity through Art, Craft and Journaling

I am a therapist who works with teens as well as adults. My clients have varied challenges including body image, self-esteem, social anxiety, grief, trauma, and mood disorders. I work with neuro-typical teens as well as those on the autism spectrum. I use creative and expressive techniques in session whenever possible. I believe that the creative processes can help anyone to access and express difficult feelings in ways that simply talking about our feelings and experiences cannot. Bonnie Thomas's book Creative Expression Activites for Teens: Exploring Identity Through Art, Craft and Journaling is packed with ideas and projects to facilitate that process and is a mainstay in my every day practice. Her projects are easily accessible, easily tailored to individuals, and appeal to a great range of ages, including adults. There are times that I have simply flipped through her book and looking at her creative prompts and expressive photos of each project, have been inspired by new ideas and projects of my own to offer my clients. I would highly recommend Bonnie's book to any therapist, those who are used to using creative projects and those who are just beginning to exlore the power of creative expression. Thank you Bonnie!

I love this book and have found my adults enjoy these activities just as much as the teens. Currently, I'm starting an adolescent art and CBT group combining techniques from this book and CBT techniques. This would also work for trauma. I'm toying with the idea of using the techniques with a group of adult women who are SMI and mildly cognitively impaired. I think they'll love it.One activity my clients have really enjoyed is the Art Trading Cards. I give them a few blank business cards and have them create a card reflecting how they see themselves, a card reflecting how they think others see them, and a card reflecting how they want others to see them. This generates great discussions, especially in groups as they can immediately encourage one another and challenge distorted thinking.

I am typically somewhat disappointed by most of these activity books but this one is an exception. As I flipped through I found activity after activity that was easy to do, relevant, and quick. I serve a large high school as a school psychologist, as well as an alternative school, and was looking for activities to incorporate into our school's advisory period to promote "emotional intelligence" as well as to complement our 9th grade Health and PE curriculum's mental health component. These should work very well, and will also be good for individual or small group work. I also appreciated source ideas for some of the materials or for more information. This is definitely one to get if you work with teens.

I work primarily with teens that have experienced trauma, and this book has been a great resource, even with my adult clients! I've been using it for 3 months now and have found it to be very helpful with incorporating art activities into counseling. It's full of great ideas, and I like the treatment plan suggestions at the end. Highly recommend this book!

I am a drug and alcohol counselor for teen boys on a residential unit. I facilitate an art therapy group on a weekly basis and I am always looking for new activities. I just love this book! The boys really enjoy the activities and find it easier to express themselves when using it. The instructions are easy for them to understand, which is important due to the fact that most of them have a difficult time reading and comprehending. One of the teachers at the treatment center has even ordered this book for her sons.

It was a book of ideas, no theory or application really. It’s not quite what I’d hoped for. I could have found the same ideas online. That said there are some beneficial activities.

I thought the activities in the book were pretty good. My only concern is that those I would be using it with may be intimidated by the "examples". I'm using it for an IOP program in addictions and some of the clients that aren't as "artsy" as others may be apprehensive about doing the activities. I'm not the most creative person and I'm a bit intimidated by the activities but plan on using the book.

As a former English teacher turned counselor, I truly love the activities in this book. They are fun and creative while allowing the student to express themselves in a safe and fun environment.

I bought this for my niece who is not interested in much at all these days but does have an artistic streak. She seems pleased with it and I must say I was interested in doing some of the activities myself!My only reservation about giving it to my niece was all the counselling notes at the back of the book. So it would be excellent for someone wanting to reach out to teenagers but be aware of that extra content before you decide to give it to someone.

Excellent resource for art therapy ideas with teens.