Session Plan – Creative Arts
Session Title
Preparation/Supplies
Supplies:
- Pre cut collage pictures and
words sorted
- Hand sanitizer x2
- Additonal embellishments
(gems, stickers, ribbon, etc)
- Felt pens/ permanent markers
- Appropriate number of glue
sticks/ glue container for each
resident to have their own
- Paper for background/base of
collage
- Pencils/pens for surveys
-Scissors off to the side in case
anyone wants (to be pre
counted and monitored by
facilitator)
-Modge podge (shiny and
matte)
- Paint brushes for modge podge
- Tablet/ device to play music
from
-Speaker
Implementation
- Welcome & Before
Survey
- Introduce Activity
- Explanation/benefit of
therapy
- Session Guidelines
- Activity
- Closing/After Survey
Creative Collage (Session #1)
• Days leading up to program- prepare a collection of cut
collage materials. Recommended to separate
pictures/patterns/designs that may spark creativity and have
a separate collection of meaningful/powerful/inspiring words
and phrases. RecT could engage any residents interested in
volunteering/helping out with the prepping of program
materials days leading up to program
• Give RTA overview of program/ prep them for program
• Day of program- Prepare space with a table set up with all
collage picture/materials laid out for residents to be able to
choose pictures that speak to them or go with their theme.
(Low touch option rather than handing around bins to sort
through). Bottle of hand sanitizer on table as well.
• Ensure tables are set up with enough space for each resident
to have 2 meters from one another (at this time)
• Set up table with any additional embellishments, felt pens,
paper for background of collage (scrap-booking, coloured,
canvases, or any thicker paper), separate glue stick/glue
container for each resident, pencils or pens for survey, hand
sanitizer, scissors off to side if requested, modge podge if
anyone wants to put a shine or matte finish, paint brushes for
modge podge. Put collage examples out on table.
• RTA to help invite residents to program
• Relaxing music in the background, speaker- start playing
before residents arrive to program to set relaxing, creative
mood
Content & Process
1. Introduce/welcome the group. Have everyone sanitize their
hands upon entry. Hand out “before” surveys and ask
residents to fill out first question and put their name or
room number on survey
2. Introduce activity of the session and the benefits of same
a. Creative Collage (Below, see introduction of purpose
and benefits to read to group)
3. Explain process of how today's session will work
- Invite each resident to set an intention of self-expression. If
any residents find this too challenging they can also use a
prompt: 'Feeling Good', or pick a colour theme to work with
-Show example(s) and explain that there are many styles and
ways of doing this. Resident's are invited to express
themselves through collage, but examples are there for
anyone wanting ideas or more guidance.
- Each resident will go up to table one at a time to the table
where collage images and phrases are spread out (to
maintain distance) and choose what resonates with them.
Ask residents to take what they want and not be shy. Cue
 residents to only touch items they want to utilize to reduce
high touch risk. Let them know they can go back and grab
more throughout program (one at a time + sanitize hands). -
RecT and RTA to engage group in related discussion while
everyone selects their cut outs
4. Throughout session allow for periods of conversation and
comfortable silences with relaxing music playing. RecT and
RTA to support any residents who request this throughout.
Reassure and validate resident progress as needed
5. Modge podge collages when residents are finished if they
wish to
6. When everyone is finished collage RecT to initiate a
conversation and invite residents (and staff) to share, discuss
their collage and the images they chose, and the process of
working on their collage (any residents who do not want to
share do not need to, reassure this is fine).
7. Ask residents to kindly fill out the after program survey
questions and return to RecT
8. Invite all residents to sanitize their hands, let them know the
theme/ form of art for next week's session, and thank them
for coming to program
9. After residents leave clean all supplies, chairs, tables with
appropriate sanitizing solution

Collaging

Creating a collage involves assembling various images to create a brand new image. It is an easy, efficient, fun
way to express ourselves. The process of self- expression through collage can help relieve negative emotions,
and can be a great way to spark new ideas and stimulate thought. The Images chosen may have multiple levels
of meaning. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) even states that expression through visual art can
bring forth what we struggle to put into words. A collage doesn't have to make rationale sense. It is
recommended to try and quiet the mind, choose imagery from the heart, and just play. When you create
without any preconceived intentions you will tend to choose imagery, colours, and words that reflect
unconscious thoughts and emotions.

Some practical benefits of collage are:

• Collages are easy to create. No artistic skills (such as drawing or painting) are necessarily required.

• Materials to collage are easily accessible and usually readily available

• It can be a quick artistic pursuit that can also be accomplished on one's own time as an inexpensive
hobby

Some emotional benefits of collage are:

• It provides a “symbolic release of emotions”

• It can help to acknowledge and accept inner parts of one's self that we may not normally express
 • Creative collaging expresses various aspects of our personalities in visual form, and can help us
understand, organize, and sort out our “inner landscape” so that we can witness it compassionately

• The imagery and colours is a very powerful form of self- expression

REMEMBER: art is subjective and therefore no one can be objectively “bad” at art; and as far as artistic
expression is concerned, the benefits are found in the process rather than the product. Value lies in “finding
associations between the creative choices made and a client’s inner life” and not in the artistic value of
whatever is being expressed (Psychology Today).

While you are collaging, try not to analyze yourself or the creative choices you are making, and simply allow
yourself to cut and glue with an open mind. Wait until after you are done with your creation to search for “the
nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors”

Resources/References

• https://aviaryrecoverycenter.com/self-expression-through-collage-and-journaling/#:~:text=One
%20specific%20form%20of%20art,added%20if%20you%20want!).

• https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/2017/02/the-benefits-of-collage-
therapy.html

• http://creativityintherapy.com/2012/07/collage-art-therapy-part-1/