Mary Wynn, Upsilon Chi Chi Chapter, University of Cincinnati
Philip Clarke, Pi Alpha Chapter, Wake Forest University

The Wellness Bumper Sticker is a self-reflective, creative arts activity that can be used by clinicians, counselors-in-training, and clients. The activity is designed to prompt consideration of core wellness values and practices through visual creativity.

The Wellness Bumper Sticker (WBS) activity promotes self-exploration of wellness by asking participants to consider their wellness practices (internal or external processes or behaviors that one engages in to increase wellness) and values (one’s beliefs, definitions, and most important aspects of wellness). After the wellness bumper sticker has been designed, participants may use the discussion questions to further their self-exploration. The activity can function as an informal wellness assessment, increasing insight about wellness strengths, goals and areas for growth. The WBS also provides an opportunity for participants to experience communicating their wellness values and practices to others.

This activity is designed for use by counselor educators with counselor-in-training, practicing clinicians on themselves, and clinicians with their clients. It can be used with individuals, in small groups, or in a classroom setting. The WBS activity can be performed on multiple occasions over time allowing participants and facilitators to identify progress, challenges, and changes. The facilitator of the activity should narrow the discussion questions to meet the needs of their participants and time limitations. The facilitator should have knowledge of wellness definitions and wellness models. In particular, this person(s) should be prepared to offer example definitions of wellness and dimensions of wellness if helpful or when requested by participants. The discussion questions should be adapted to meet the preferences of the participants. Client participation in the activity should be with client consent, and the client reserves the right to stop the activity at any time. 

The Wellness Bumper Sticker, is based on Myers and Sweeney Indivisible Self model of wellness (Sweeney & Myers, 2008) and aligns with creative and expressive arts practices for counseling (Abdul et al., 2024; Bradley et al., 2008).

Abdul Rahman, S. N., Mahmud, M. I., & Ku Johari, K. S. (2024). Exploring of Expressive Art Therapy in Counselling: A Recent Systematic Review. Qubahan Academic Journal, 4(2), 430–457. https://doi.org/10.48161/qaj.v4n2a479

Bradley, L. J., Whiting, P., Hendricks, B., Parr, G. & Jones, E. G. (2008). The use of expressive techniques in counseling. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 3 (1), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401380802023605.  

Reference(s):

Gamby, K., Burno, D., & Forristal, K. (2021). Wellness decolonized: The history of wellness and recommendations for the counseling field. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 43(3), 228–245. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.43.3.05

 

Sweeney, T. J., & Myers, J. E. (2005). Counseling for wellness. In J. E. Myers & T. J. Sweeney (Eds.), Counseling for wellness: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 185-195). American Counseling Association.