Building Collaborative Confidence Through Joint Creation of a Town

When working with children and teens in art therapy, finding ways to boost their confidence, decision-making, leadership, and communication skills is essential. One creative approach I have found effective is inviting the young client to become the mayor of a collaborative town. This imaginative activity places the child or teen in charge, guiding me, the therapist, in building a unique town through art. It’s a powerful way to engage them actively while developing important life skills in a supportive environment.

How the Collaborative Town Activity Works

The idea is simple but impactful. The child or teen takes on the role of mayor, responsible for directing the creation of a town. Together, we use various drawing materials to bring the town to life. The client decides if their town is going to be realistic or imaginative, and what buildings, parks, roads, and community features the town will have. I follow their lead, asking questions, prompting deicision and encouraging leadership opportunities.

This setup encourages the client to:

• Make decisions about the town’s layout and features

• Express their ideas clearly to guide the process

• Be confident in their choices as mayor

• Practice leadership by directing the project

  
  

The activity is flexible and can be adapted to different ages and therapeutic goals. For younger children, the focus might be on simple choices and storytelling. For teens, it can involve more complex planning and problem-solving.

A town created by a client asking as mayor in art therapy

Building Confidence Through Leadership

Taking on the role of the mayor, directing me, gives the client a sense of control and importance. Many children and teens struggle with self-confidence, and being the mayor shifts that dynamic. They become the leader, the decision-maker, and the person others listen to.

This role reversal helps build confidence by:

• Allowing the client to see their ideas valued and respected

• Encouraging them to speak up and explain their vision

• Giving them a safe space to experiment with leadership without fear of failure

  
  

Enhancing Decision-Making Skills

Creating a town requires many decisions, from the big picture to small details. This process naturally supports the development of decision-making skills. The client learns to weigh options, consider consequences, and prioritize what matters most.

Some decision points might include:

• What types of buildings are needed (homes, shops, schools)?

• Where should roads and parks be placed for best flow?

• What perspective they want to work from

  
  

Through art therapy, these choices become tangible and visual. The client can see the impact of their decisions as the town takes shape. If something doesn’t work, they can adjust it, learning flexibility and problem-solving along the way.

Encouraging Clear Communication

As mayor, the client must communicate their ideas clearly to me, the therapist, who acts as their assistant or town planner. This interaction encourages the development of communication skills, including:

• Describing ideas in detail

• Giving clear instructions

• Listening to feedback and responding thoughtfully

  
  

This dialogue is a key part of the therapeutic process. It helps the client practice expressing themselves in a supportive setting, which can translate to improved communication in school, family, and social situations.

Practical Tips for Therapists Using This Activity

If you want to try this collaborative town activity in your art therapy sessions, here are some practical suggestions:

• Prepare a variety of art supplies: markers, colored pencils, crayons, pens and pencils are ideal, but this could be expanded to include collage materials, stickers, or 3D elements.

• Start with blank paper: invite the client to decide the town’s shape and size, encourage some planning ahead to determine the size of buildings and general layout

• Ask open-ended questions: “What kind of buildings do you want here?” “How do people get around your town?” "what colour should this building be?"

• Encourage storytelling: ask the client to describe who lives in the town and what happens there.

• Be flexible: follow the client’s lead and adapt the activity to their interests and energy level. Encourage them to be flexible as well, your contributions may not exactly match their ideas

• Reflect on the process: after the session, talk about what it felt like to be mayor and what they learned.

  
  

Why This Activity Works in Art Therapy

Art therapy thrives on creativity and expression. The collaborative town activity combines these elements with leadership and communication practice. It creates a dynamic space where the client feels empowered and engaged.

By making the client the mayor, the activity:

• Puts them in control of the therapeutic process

• Encourages active participation rather than passive response

• Builds skills that extend beyond art into real-life situations

  
  

This approach aligns well with the goals of art therapy, which include fostering self-awareness, emotional expression, and personal growth.

Creating a collaborative town led by a young mayor is more than just a fun art project. It’s a meaningful way to help children and teens develop confidence, decision-making, leadership, and communication skills. By guiding the therapist in building their town, clients take ownership of their therapy and discover their strengths in a supportive, creative environment.