Haptic Self-Symbol

Haptic Self Symbol: Applied Methods
ETC Level: Symbolic - Sensory
MDV Level: Fluid - Unstructured - Simple
Materials
Clay or play-dough
Procedures
1. Using clay or play-do, create a self-symbol.2. Reflect on self-symbol as if speaking on behalf of the symbol. "I am..."
Rationale
Creating a self-symbol increases self-awareness and through gestalt processing, client will make personal connections to different aspects of self-symbol. Self-symbol will provide insight for client and therapist, and client may take home symbol to admire and contemplate.
Adaptations
1. Do you like your self-symbol? Does it accurately represent you? If self-symbol is negative, destroy or change creation and relate to real-life situations that would benefit from change. 2. Allow client only one color of clay initially. After processing, provide other colors to enhance areas of verbalized importance. 3. Create self-symbols toward the beginning of therapy, and then again at the end. How has creation changed? How is it the same?