Sensory-Based Therapeutic Art Interventions

Starting my training at KATI in the fall of 2019, my practicum schedule primarily included child clients, and sensory was a weekly component of the sessions I co-facilitated. I scanned the library shelves at school, searching for a more recent resource that contained recipes and that also included some theory. The library at KATI is full of books on theory, and there are also thesis works written by former students that included recipes and other sensory activity ideas. However, I was still missing the book I wanted to see: a clear and concise resource for using sensory activities within the context of art therapy, including theory, step-by-step recipes, and photos.

Slimy, oozy, and messy, are only three of the words that could be used to describe sensory activities. But what about grounding or chaotic discharge? What properties can evoke either of these responses, and what is the brain doing while we, or our clients, explore sensory-based therapeutic art interventions? In this book I go over these questions as well as relevant terms, theory, and past research. My intent here is to provide an easy-to-read resource which guides art therapists, new and seasoned, on why, when, and how sensory interventions can be utilized within the scope of art therapy. My writing style is intended to be personable and relatable, as if having a conversation with you, the reader.

Once the theoretical groundwork has been laid out, I provide the tools for you to create and/or offer twelve sensory-based interventions to your clients. I include how to plan and set up the space (see Appendix E), required equipment and ingredients you will need (see Appendices C & D), and several recipes for sensory interventions that can be used in art therapy sessions. There are also photos alongside each intervention to assist you in testing out these activities prior to bringing them to your client, so you will know how the process looks.