by Tracy Schroeder, MSW, LCSW

 

 

Purpose: Social skills development; emotional expression; increasing insight

 

Modality: Group

 

Age Range: 10 years – Adolescents

 

Materials: Crayons, markers, paper

 

Background: I worked with adolescents in a locked psychiatric unit. They had a hard time trusting others and sharing about themselves. I use to do the squiggle game with my sister when I was young; never knowing it was used as a therapy technique with children. Donald Winnicott called the therapy technique “The Squiggle Game”.

 

Description: Give each person a piece of paper and a pencil. Have them draw a squiggle and then pass the paper to their right. Each person is asked to make a drawing to depict their feelings or what ever comes to their mind using the squiggle they received.

 

After they are finished, each participant shares their completed drawing with the group. If a client is resistant to share, another client in the group is asked to explain how that person’s picture makes them feel.

 

The therapist can gain great insight on how the group members work together and on the client’s individual problems and issues.

 

About the Author: Tracy Schroeder is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently serves as a Social Service Supervisor on a psychiatric unit. In addition, she has experience working as a therapist with children and adolescents. Tracy is serving as a Member-at-Large for the California Association for Play Therapy.