The Personal Puzzle an Art Invitation

So, this particular art invite is called the personal puzzle; and I usually do this in the first session with a client, for them to create a puzzle that best explains them. And it's meant to kind of be an icebreaker.

I usually have them start by drawing a rectangle or a square. And within that rectangular or square, I have them start to create puzzle pieces.

And I do ask them to be mindful that they're going to be filling in all the pieces, so just make sure that the puzzle is with the amount of pieces they'd want to to fill in.

And once they get all the puzzle pieces done, what I ask them to do is to describe themselves in a way if they didn't have words, how would they explain themselves to someone.

So, what things do they like, what things don't they like, whats sports are they interested in, what people do they like, what people help make them who they are. What animals, hobbies, pretty much anything that they would use to describe themselves to someone, so someone could get a really clear picture of them on paper.

I almost always ask them to draw first. So, I try not to let them use the words until they've drawn a good depiction of things because sometimes, more comes to them when they're doing art, as opposedto writing.

And once they have filled in all the art to their puzzle, I will ask them then to write the word that describes what's in each of those pieces.

And then we talk about that; and it's a great way to get to know each other and to kind of give them the floor of describing themselves in a more non-threatening way.

And it's fun and it's playful and it's one of my favorite things to start the therapeutic relationship with.

And here's a final example of what a personal puzzle might look like.

And that's the personal puzzle.

I hope that you find it very useful in starting with your clients.