Draw It Out
When words get tangled, pick up a pencil.
An art-based self-help course in eight weekly modules. You get to know the different sides of you on paper, one drawing at a time. No drawing skill needed, only paper, a pencil and a few colours.
Created by a clinical psychologist and a registered art therapist.
Or run your pointer through the scribble.
Meet the sides of you
Everyone moves between different states, or modes. A young side that can feel small. An inner voice that is hard on you. The ways you learned to cope. Draw It Out introduces them one at a time, in plain language, and gives each one a shape on paper.
The Healthy Adult
The kind, strong side that notices, cares, sets limits and decides. Each week gives it a little more room.
Draw It Out draws on the schema therapy mode model, a way psychologists describe the different states, or modes, that people move between. It is evidence-informed self-help. It is not therapy, and it does not replace professional care.
Eight modules, one a week
Every module ends with something you have made. A new module opens each week, once you have finished the one before, and you can always take longer.
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Module 1
Safety First
Make a calm place image and learn how to pause.
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Module 2
Meet Your Modes
Draw a first, rough map of the different sides of you.
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Module 3
The Inner Critic
Give your Inner Critic a shape, then make it smaller.
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Module 4
The Protectors
Make a portrait of one of the ways you cope, and thank it.
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Module 5
The Child's Needs
Make a collage of what the young side of you needs these days.
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Module 6
The Healthy Adult
Draw the kind, strong side of you that can take the lead.
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Module 7
Conversations
Make a comic strip where your kind, strong side gets the last word.
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Module 8
Keeping It Going
Make a pocket-sized map and a plan for harder times.
Every drawing on this page is in the style of the course. Yours will look like yours.
How each module works
Every module has the same five pages, in the same order, so you always know what is coming. Most people spread a module over two or three sittings in the week.
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130 seconds
Check in
Rate how you feel from 0 to 10.
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28 to 10 minutes
Learn
A short illustrated lesson from John on one part of the mode model.
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320 to 40 minutes
See and make
Photos and step-by-step drawings, then Hannah guides you through making your image.
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410 to 15 minutes
Reflect
A few journal prompts about what your image shows you. Answer as many or as few as you like.
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53 to 5 minutes
Settle
A short practice to finish calmly, with an optional audio guide.
The check-in scale
Every sitting starts here. At 7 or above, you skip the art that day and go straight to Settle.
What you need
- Paper and a pencil
- Coloured pencils or crayons
- Some weeks: old magazines, glue, scissors and thin card
- No drawing skill. Stick figures are welcome.
What comes with it
- Course pages for all eight modules, with photos of every step
- A companion visual journal to print at home
- Short audio settling practices, each with a written version
- Pause rules and support details in every module
A psychologist and an art therapist, together
John writes the psychology in every lesson and signs off the clinical content. Hannah designs every art process and signs off the art. Every module has both of them in it.
Is this right for you right now?
This course asks you to slow down and get to know some tender sides of yourself. For most people that feels interesting and manageable. For some people, at some times, it can stir up more than is helpful.
It isn't about whether you're 'good enough' for the course. It's about timing, and about having the right support around you. Please read the full check before you join.
If you need help right now
You don't need to be in crisis to contact these services, and you don't need a reason that seems big enough.
Lifeline, any time, day or night
1800RESPECT
Emergency, if anyone is in danger
Join the waitlist
We'll email you when Draw It Out opens. You'll also get 'Meet Your Inner Critic', a free short version of Module 3, straight away.
Price [to be confirmed]. We'll only use your email for Draw It Out, and you can unsubscribe at any time.