Do I need to have any art experience to do art therapy?

Not at all! Art therapy focuses on the process of making as opposed to creating a finished masterpiece. The emphasis is on the exploration of meaning. I facilitate you in attending to that meaning, however and whenever it emerges, during and at the end of making.

How do your sessions work specifically?

Art therapy has many applications. During individual sessions, I utilise the frameworks of counselling & psychodynamic therapies with a phenomenological approach. This means there is no interpretation of your artwork by me - the meaning comes from you.

This way of working prioritises lived experience and multi-modal forming; we find ways to know more through our making and/or are led by the materials themselves.

Sometimes meaning comes through silent connection with others while we are making, or the conversations that come with a collective making process, or what the physical making reveals to us.

How can art therapy be helpful to me?

Art therapy can be beneficial to connect with self, to unpack emotions and experiences, or to work specifically with aspects of humaness, such as anxiety, depression, grief & loss.

It can empower you, and build your capacity on multiple levels. You can choose to take a deep dive or a delightful skip across the surface.

Art therapy takes us beyond words, where we can be with the unknown in whatever way we are showing up.

How many sessions will I need?

We begin with a phone call or a video call as the beginning of an intake process. This is an opportunity for you to ask me questions and tell me about yourself. If we are a good fit then we book an initial in person session at my Greensborough location.

I have clients who book fortnightly clients to fit in with their NDIS plans. This is usually a slower pace of journeying together over longer periods of time.

Private clients sometimes like to book weekly sessions because they choose this kind of work for an intense deep dive that traditional talk therapies have been unable to facilitate. I suggest six sessions as a good number to really be able to engage in the work with a nice balance of containment and space to process. After six sessions we check in to see what might be needed. I offer bespoke ritual ceremonies to acknowledge the new knowings, newly integrated parts and to claim intentions.

Some clients reengage sporadically for “maintainence” sessions or for support with their current concerns.

What art materials can I use?

I provide all your materials during face-to-face individual sessions, whether that is creative art therapy, bespoke ceremonial & ritual objects, or handcasting.

You can use acrylic and watercolour paints, canvas or paper, collage, oil and chalk pastels, pencils, clay & collections from nature.

If you book sessions via Zoom, you are welcome to use your own materials - whatever you have at hand! This can be items from your recycling bin, lego, chalk, Sharpies, leaves etc. Alternatively, I can post out materials prior to our session for an extra cost.

For bespoke ceremonial and ritual object making, I provide materials such as felt, needles, stuffing, ribbon, cotton thread, Japanese paper for lanterns, etc.