The Metaphor of the Volcano for Exploding Anger

Play Therapy is well grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory. Play therapists remind us that activities alone are not enough.

The volcano metaphor for anger is an accessible avenue to explore anger with children and young people. You might even have the time and resources to papier-mâché a volcano together across a few sessions!

Dormant Volcano

No smoke but still a volcano, assimilated with those times when we feel a bit grumpy, but it’s not necessarily visible to others, and perhaps we too haven’t made the connection.

Smoking Volcano

Not erupting, there might be a bit of smoke or a lot, assimilated with those times when we feel snappy, more than usual, we might be in a bad mood and we feel bad after snapping at others.

Erupting Volcano

There’s lava, fire and spillage, assimilated with those times when we let loose. Our behaviour is visible to others and it could also be very harmful. There are consequences for our behaviour too, we might lose privileges, we may break toys.

We invite the child or young person to draw a volcano, in any shape or form, on a large piece of paper and we invite them to create it in any way they’d like.

Then, we ask them to write all around it, all the things they’re angry about.

Explore and normalise each one. Be their witness. Allow them to be heard, seen and validated.

If you’re creating one from papier-mâché, make a small opening at the top and place a very small plastic cup here, seal the volcano so it’s waterproof, place it tin a shallow container, place a bit of baking soda in the cup at the top and let the child or young person pour on some white vinegar, and watch it erupt.

The child or young person will also need to gradually process the ‘Why?’ underneath their anger. This will take time.

Keen for more like this? Connect with me: cathy@refreshreset.com.au