Creative Arts Therapy
"What we make of our life - the sum total of thoughts, emotions, words, and actions that fill the brief interval between birth and death - is our one great creative masterpiece." - John Yates, PH.D. & Matthew Immergut, PH.D.
Creative Arts Therapy sessions are an opportunity to be supported and companioned by a qualified therapist in the creative process of being in and making sense of our lives.
I will work with you to create a kind and collaborative space for the exploration of whatever curiosities, challenges, experiences, ideas or inspirations matter to you.
In the safety of a therapy session, creative processes are engaged with as a context within which we can express, represent and make sense of experiences. There is no need for you to possess any particular 'artistic skill' and you will not be put under any pressure to create 'art', though you are of course welcome to, and you may even inadvertently find yourself doing just that. Creative processes like drawing, painting, writing, singing, moving, storytelling, sculpting, arranging objects, enacting, or playing help us to communicate that which can't quite be put neatly into words.
Creative collaboration invites curiosity and wonder. The creative process reminds us that we don't always have all the answers, that there are more possibilities than we could ever know, and that we always have more to learn and discover about ourselves, others, and the world. This is not what's wrong with us.
This is what we all have in common.
One to One Sessions
In one to one sessions you and I can embrace the possibility of forming a robust and trusting therapeutic relationship. We can engage in ways of inquiring together that suit your unique wants and needs.
I will be by your side, respecting you as the expert in your life while offering tools, processes, care, insight and reflections along the way.
Video Conference
For individuals and groups who are outside of Melbourne or who are unable to travel, I run sessions via video conference. These have proven to be a surprisingly dynamic and fun way of (virtually) hanging out!
If you're interested in experiencing therapy or creative exploration from the comfort and familiarity of your own home, school, workplace or community centre, please get in touch to arrange an appointment.
Small Group Workshops
Small Group Workshops can be arranged privately to suit the needs of your group. Participants will be guided through creative processes in a way that fosters group cohesion, trust, and expressive confidence. Opportunities to share insights, values and expressions will be integrated into the experiential co-inquiry process.
My Creativity Workshops and Empowered Voice Workshops are open to the public. They are held throughout the year in Melbourne. Please feel free to get in touch if you want to be part of the next one.
Corporate Presentations
and Workshops
Presentations for corporate or education settings are a great way to introduce large groups of people to the benefits of engaging with creativity and therapeutic inquiry.
I have presented to educators and mental health practitioners on topics such as 'Engaging in Therapeutic Creativity with Young People', and given presentations and workshops in high schools on topics such as 'Creating Wellbeing (Self Care Practices for VCE students and teachers)', 'The Art of Gratitude', 'Mindfulness in Action', and 'Amplifying Empathy and Kindness'.
As I am a professional musician who integrates therapeutic inquiry processes into my own singing and songwriting, presentations can include elements of musical performance with a guitarist or live band upon request.