All the Stars Above is a therapeutic tool in the appearance of a board game. It is a recent methodology in working with bereaved clients.

The participants
All the Stars Above can be used (under the supervision of a therapist) for:
- 1-8 participants (you can share a pearl if there is an extra person)
- children (from 6 years old), adolescents and adults.

From 6 to 100 years old
To distinguish between the language of children and that of adolescents and adults, the playing cards are printed on both sides.
One side is for children from 6-12 years, the other is for adolescents and adults (12 years and older).

The game board
By following the route on the board the participants pass different categories such as 'Feelings' or 'Memories'. Each category has its own specific set of question cards. When a participant lands on a particular square they take a question card of that group. They read the question out loud and may answer it.

Indian Talking Stick and plastic folders
Enclosed within All the Stars Above there is an Indian Talking Stick. As the name suggests it originated with the Native Americans. The person who has the stick has the floor. They have the possibility to talk, to be quiet, to cry, to sing. They may do whatever they choose. The others must show respect and listen.

By using this Talking Stick everyone gets their turn and may express themselves in their own way. If a participant doesn't want to talk, he doesn't have to. If a participant would like to respond but needs more time to think, he may also save the question card in a plastic folder until he finds the answer.

The use of art during All the Stars Above
In addition to the assignments that are part of All the
Stars Above, the therapist may choose to use art during the board game (drawing, painting, working with clay).

Each participant throws the die, lands on a particular square and receives an appropriate question card. This question card is the starting point for the artwork. If the therapist chooses drawing, everyone takes their own question card and draws the answer.

Afterwards the participants can show their pictures and everyone can choose to explain something about it.​​