Therapy cards are getting people talking
Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 11 January, 2022
A pack of therapy cards aimed at helping people talk about their emotions has been created by a social worker.
The My Little Therapy Resource works by presenting common themes people struggle with in life. These then act as a catalyst for conversations.
The pack of 40 differs from mood cards because they identify real life problems drawn from practice, says creator Natasha Page.
“I have always used creative ways to engage clients but sometimes adults and children struggle with the concept of having a space where they talk about themselves and open up.
“There are loads of mood cards out there but I felt there was something missing.
“My cards identify the things they are struggling with rather than just the emotion. It is getting to the root of the problem.
“You may then explore how that is making them feel and use the questions on the back of the card to help them delve into it more.”
The cards identify themes such as relationships, work, what people think of them, low self-esteem, sibling rivalry and self-harm.
Natasha says: “The themes are all things that I have worked with in my work as a social worker and therapist.
“Sometimes you get clients who don’t know where to start and what to talk about and they just feel uncomfortable. Having something that is visual can really help people.
“If they give permission to use the cards, I will go through the pack with them and ask them to pick up to five themes they most struggle with.”
Launched last October, the therapy cards are already being used by a sexual abuse charity and are to be given to some local schools thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Individuals can also use them on their own without a therapist too. As well as questions prompts on the back, each card also contains words of encouragement to help people with their issue.