You will love this game. It's not a parlor room game but a fun and powerful therapy tool. I originally created it to use with adult addicts in treatment settings, but it's a wonderful tool for anyone of any age who needs support in identifying and talking about their feelings.

This game is used in addiction treatment services, mental health facilities, social service agencies, such as grief and hospice programs, educational services, student and employee assistance programs, and in private practice with individuals, couples, children and groups.

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.

Take a look inside the game by clicking on - Inside The Stamp Game

The Game consists of 100 of each color 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. Therefore:

Red stamps = anger, rage, frustration, irritation, disgust, annoyance, resentment, intolerance, exasperation, etc.

Blue stamps = sadness, disappointment, loss, hurt, grief, misery, dissatisfaction, etc.

Black stamps = fear, terror, dread, anxiety, panic, shock, horror, etc.

Orange stamps = guilt, shame, remorse, regret, disgrace, etc.

Green stamps = embarrassment, humiliation, envy, jealousy, etc.

Yellow stamps = happiness, joy, love, gratitude, affection, peace, serenity, etc.

Brown stamps = confusion, uncertainty, misunderstanding, bewilderment, indecision, etc.

White stamps (Wild Cards) = any feeling not represented by another color stamp that the player wants to identify, such as loneliness, helplessness, powerlessness, etc.

The possibilities are as individual as the players.

General Directions

Players sit in a circle, or if only two people they sit across from each other.

Stamps (colored cards) are placed in the center of the circle and in piles according to color.

Players pick up stamps that represent their feelings. The more intense the feeling the more stamps a player will pick up.

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.

Players take turns sharing their feelings in relation to their stamps and the feeling presented.

Other players offer feedback when player sharing finishes. This is optional.

Included is an Instruction Booklet offering a variety of ways and settings to use the game and the stamps. As with other of Claudia's tools, you are encouraged to tap into your own creativity.

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.

Players Comments

The game is stupendous. I have been in private practice for ten years and always had trouble finding things that would aid individuals in expressing emotion. Thank you. Julie A. Ed.D. L.C.

I have found the Stamp Game very helpful both personally and professionally. Susanna R. M.A. L.M.F.T.

I love your work and particularly love the game. I have talked about it from Sioux Falls to Sydney Australia. Jamie C.Ed.D.