Theme and Scope The Art of Emotional Wellness is a print-based expressive arts therapy workbook designed to explore emotional awareness, resilience, and healing through creative practices. It draws from modalities such as visual art, movement, storytelling, symbolic imagery, and body-based reflection. This workbook is designed to address a gap in the expressive arts therapy curriculum by offering fully multimodal activities that integrate multiple expressive arts modalities to deepen insight, enhance engagement, and enrich the overall therapeutic experience.
The workbook is structured into themed sections:
Section 1: Emotional Exploration
Section 2: Resilience and Strength
Section 3: Healing and Letting Go
Section 4: Connection and Support
Section 5: Hope and Renewal
Each section invites personal reflection (of theme) through expressive activities rooted in psychology, arts-based research, and trauma-informed care.
Purpose The workbook offers a hands-on, creative resource for 1) individuals seeking emotional clarity, 2) professionals guiding clients through healing, and 3) students of the expressive therapies. It is designed to bridge therapeutic tools and personal growth through guided, creative practices.
There will also be a companion deck of cards that will be in production after the workbook is published.
Target Audience
Expressive arts therapists and counselors
Educators and students in mental health fields / expressive arts education
Individuals engaged in personal healing and reflection
Registered Expressive Arts Therapy (REAT) facilitators
Contributors are invited to propose 1–3 original expressive arts activities that align with one of the above themes (sections 1-5).
This workbook will be edited and self-published by the author. Contributors may continue to use their original submissions in other projects or publications. Professional publication companies typically restrict use of submitted work.
Structure and Format
Table of Contents / Chapter Outlines Each section includes 8-10 themed activities that combine
visual arts,
writing and storytelling,
movement or somatic awareness,
dramatic play and imaginative expression, and
music and rhythm.
Example activities might include:
“Body Mapping” – emotional mapping through breath (movement/somatic awareness) and color (visual arts)
“My Personal Mosaic” – identity work through symbolic collage (visual arts) and storytelling (writing)
“Fire of Courage” – expressive fire imagery (visual arts) and movement (movement/somatic awareness)
Format
Full-color, print workbook (with potential digital download version).
Contributions should be visually adaptable for a clean and accessible workbook layout.
A companion deck of therapy cards will be developed and published to accompany this workbook.
Length Each activity will span 1–2 pages, including the prompt, process, and reflection. Some exceptions may occur and 3 pages can be taken into consideration.
Graphics and Illustrations Activities may be accompanied by:
Illustrative diagrams (e.g., body outlines, shield templates)
Simple icons or visual metaphors
Optional creative quotes and encouraging sayings
Author Information and Expertise
Author Biography Please include a brief bio (150–200 words) highlighting your experience in expressive arts therapy, creative wellness, education, or related fields. REATs and Professional Creative Arts Therapists are preferred. There will be a contributor section of the book, providing credit and a short bio of each contributor, honoring the various talents that people bring to the field.
Timeline and Status
Timeline
Submission Deadline: August 1st, 2025
Review & Notification: Within 3–4 weeks of submission
Final Contributions Due: October 1, 2025 (for edits and rewrite)
Workbook Release Goal: Spring 2026
Completion Status Over 50% of the workbook content is drafted, with templates, layout, and icons already in production.
Permissions Contributors are responsible for ensuring that any quotes, images, or templates included are original or public domain. Any needed permissions must be disclosed.
Submission Guidelines Submit:
1–3 max expressive arts activity proposals (using provided guidelines)
Ownership and Rights By submitting an activity proposal to The Art of Emotional Wellness Workbook, contributors affirm that the work is original and that they hold the rights to any accompanying text, imagery, or content. If selected, contributors will retain authorship credit for their work. However, accepted submissions grant the workbook creator (Nicole Randick) non-exclusive, perpetual rights to publish, sell, reproduce, and adapt the activity as part of the workbook in print, digital, or promotional formats. Contributors may continue to use their original submissions in other projects or publications. Attribution will be provided in all formats where the activity is used by the creator.