Category: Self-Help Publisher: M AC Publishing
ISBN-10: 187295000004
Copyright: October 2004
The Stamp Game is an innovative tool for helping people identify and express feelings. Devised by Claudia Black, Ph.D., the game has been used for over twenty years in a wide range of settings ranging from family and therapeutic environments, student and employee assistance programs, schools, mental health facilities, to addiction counselors and private practitioners working with groups and individuals. The game is appropriate for people of all ages ― children ― adolescents ― adults.
The purpose of the Stamp Game is to help players to better identify, clarify, and discuss feelings. Players will be able to relate more honestly to others as they learn to express feelings. As a result, players become more effective problem-solvers and the identification and expression of feelings brings clarity to players’ needs, which in turn leads to enhanced self-esteem. The game is a wonderful tool to equalize those who use words as a defense but have difficulty being emotionally honest, and for those who have great difficulty being articulate on any level. Playing The Stamp Game is a novel, fun and meaningful way for players to learn about themselves and each other.
The Game consists of 100 of each colored card (stamps). The stamps name seven predominant feelings, plus one unspecified, Anger ― Fear ― Happiness ― Confusion ― Guilt ― Sadness ― Embarrassment ― Wild Card.
This game is not limited to the seven designated feelings. Each color represents a continuum of the specific feeling printed on the stamp.
General Directions
1. Players sit in a circle, or if only two people they sit across from each other.
2. Stamps (colored cards) are placed in the center of the circle and in piles according to color.
3. Players pick up stamps that represent their feelings. The more intense the feeling the more stamps a player will pick up.
4. Players position their stamps in the order representing which of their feelings are most visible/most aware of down to those that are least visible/kept hidden.
5. Players take turns sharing their feelings in relation to their stamps and the feeling presented.
6. Other players offer feedback when player sharing finishes.
This is optional.
The Instruction Booklet offers a variety of ways and settings to use the game and the stamps. The general directions for playing the game are only guidelines. The game is meant to be a tool. Claudia encourages players and facilitators to create and develop additional ways and settings to use the game. Express yourself and enjoy the process.
One game is adequate to use with one to eight players and a facilitator. For use with more than ten players it is recommended that two games be used and mini-groups may be formed. For example: a group of ten players is divided into two five-player groups; a group of twelve players is divided into two six-player groups
A big part of what I like about the game is it offers structure but allows a facilitator or family to be creative as to how to use it. Claudia Black
I am delighted to know a new version of the Stamp Game is coming out. I can't imagine how it can be more useful than the original, of which I purchased eight boxes and promoted it to every student assistance program in Montana and other states where I conducted training or spoke at SAP conferences. I use the cards DAILY in the schools I serve and my private practice. Thank you Claudia!
Judy Griffith
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