Deep Breathing and Water Colors

This is a relaxation technique that engages activity, visual elements and auditory elements. Once you have taught and practiced deep breathing and muscle relaxation, this is fun next step to visualize the breaths. It can be used to teach a client further relaxation skills to use in their home or school environment, or it can be used in session as a relaxation method when noticing a Client is upset or after talking about something distressing.
Begin by walking Cl through deep breathing, counting to three as you breath in through your nose, holding your breath briefly and then counting the exhale. Using watercolors as a visual to represent the different breaths. You can lead them to begin with short, choppy breaths and guide them toward long, diaphragm breaths. Short and choppy would resemble mountains and long diaphragm would resemble waves.