Discovering the Self: A Task of Adolescence

by Linda Chapman, MA, ATR-BC

Although some adolescents are willing to complete drawing assessments, many teens are skeptical of these type of assessments. I often use a very useful assessment technique for teens, both in groups and as individual clients, and would like to share this with you.

Materials offered include a wide variety of magazines, maps, “Yes” glue, glue brush, scissors and 18”x24” heavy paper. The simple directive: “Please introduce yourself with a collage, using images, symbols, words, and colors. Keep in mind your body, mind and spirit, or physical, emotional, thinking self. Any image or words you wish you use are acceptable, and you don’t have to talk about any symbol you wish to keep private.”

It is remarkable how one can see the self reflected in the images or lack of images. With the many teens with no attachment figure to develop the Right Hemisphere (RH) of the brain to have a concept of mind/body self (Schore, 2009), this is reflected in the fragmented, disorganized, sparse collages. When asked about the images or words, the responses are not personal, rather they are seemingly randomly chosen.
Another theme that often dominates the collage is the theme of protection, expressed in clothing, weapons, missiles, or walls. Some teens reflect a fairly well developed sense of self by including personal pictures that reflect their personal interests, achievements or desires. Some include favorite idols, music, or other images and words that reflect relationships with family and friends.

These images help me formulate treatment goals and plans, and offer comparisons throughout therapy. When asked to do these after a year of art therapy, it is remarkable to see the client’s self-concept develop. Peter Blos (1962), in his book On Adolescence, writes of the discovery of the Self as the most important task of adolescent development. Art making allows the teens to develop a sense of Self as they see themselves reflected in the art created.

Reference:
Schore, A. N. (2009). Relational trauma and the developing right brain: An interface of psychoanalytic self psychology and neuroscience. Self and Systems, Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, 1159, 189-203.

© Copyright 2011 Linda Chapman.