This capstone project presents Turning the Wheels: A Guidebook for Designing Art Therapy Workshops, a practical resource for art therapy students and recent graduates seeking to develop and facilitate introductory workshops for new populations, communities, or agencies. Grounded in group theory and early-stage therapeutic process, the guidebook is organized into three sections—beginning, middle, and end—mirroring the developmental phases of a group.
The guidebook integrates both theoretical orientation and practical application, addressing key considerations such as the “who, what, why, and where” of workshop design. It offers a collection of structured art-based activities, including both individual (“solo-together”), interactive group formats, and materials-based suggestions appropriate for initial engagement with art therapy. Each activity includes materials, instructions, ethical considerations, and adaptable variations to support diverse contexts and participant needs.
In addition to activity planning, the resource supports early-stage program development by guiding readers through the brainstorming and decision-making processes involved in workshop creation. This project aims to bridge the gap between training and practice by providing an accessible starting point for emerging art therapists to design thoughtful, ethical, and context-responsive workshops.