Frequently Asked Questions

Art Therapy is a dynamic, exciting alternative to traditional 'talk therapy'. Because, as infants, images came before language, art can access the deepest parts of us that go beyond language. By exploring these visually, we can speed up the process of working through current challenges and develop exciting new insights about our life. Art Therapy is not about creating an art product, but is all about the process of what happens internally while creating art.

ANZACATA, the peak body for Creative Arts Therapists in Australia defines Art Therapy as "an experiential psychotherapeutic approach utilising arts modalities within a relationship with a trained therapist, attending to emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual wellbeing." See https://anzacata.org/About-CAT for more info.

For adults, we usually begin with a short meet & greet call. Here you can learn what it will be like working together with me, and I can learn more about your focus issue for our sessions.

Your first session begins with some information gathering as we build rapport and create a framework of safety for sharing. Here, as I introduce you to Art Therapy and the materials, I'll also get a sense of what you'd like to work on. Together, we will set clear therapy goals and an overall timeframe. The deeper exploratory work begins In the following sessions.

Through subsequent sessions, we explore, expand, and understand your challenge and experience, unpacking these through art-making. This process brings you new awareness and insight as we make meaning from it together; throughout this process I will guide your journey, helping you make sense of your inner world.

Once you believe you've reached a sense of integration, resolution and have a new perspective of the issue in your life, we review the themes and process of working together, and through some final art-making will bring a sense of completion to our working relationship and the progress made.

For Children, the process is similar but simplified. Children intuitively bring their concerns into art making without prompting, and I use the process of art making to bring in the goals I set with parents around emotional regulation, increased flexibility, problem solving, self improved esteem, etc.

• Face to Face 
• Online
• Open air nature session
• At your school / TAFE / Uni / Workplace (private quiet room required, travel rates apply).
• Your home, for clients who are unable to travel easily or prefer the familiarity of their own surrounds (travel rates apply).

Absolutely! I work under the Other Therapies NDIS line item, and you can request Art Therapy from your Plan Manager however, you don't specifically need Art Therapy in your plan.

Because your self expression is unique, together we will work to help understand and make meaning from what you have expressed visually. I will be your guide through the reflection process and your own culture and background will help you make sense of the work.

Art Therapy is not about drawing something recognisable or artistic; this won't hang on your wall! Art Therapy is about expressing something in a visual way that goes beyond the traditional "talk therapies". You can decide what to do with whatever you make - even destroy it at the end of the session if you wish. There is no need to be artistic - in fact - you might even find it easier to engage in the process if you aren't, as there is less internal pressure to form a valued end product.

Experiences of trauma, either from a single event or complex trauma, is one of the main reasons people seek therapy. I am trained in Trauma Informed Art Therapy methods, and can support you using a range of techniques, many involving non-verbal methods to help you express where your body is currently stuck in trauma patterns. A certain amount of verbal processing can be helpful also, but the primary aim is to move from nervous system dysregulation (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) into a healthier state of flow.

Trusting therapeutic relationships take time to build a foundation on which to process trauma through Art Therapy. I will make sure that you are in a place where you can manage strong, difficult emotions safely before beginning any deep trauma work. Effective Therapy takes time and strong foundations of safety and resources need to be built first.

I offer a sliding scale for clients who are in financial difficulty and we can plan a short series of sessions to target the specific goal you have. Art Psychotherapy is best suited to longer term working relationships where there is space to work at deeper levels; short term interventions can also be helpful.

Your child needs to feel able to bring anything to Art Therapy. Asking your child, "How was it helpful today?" is more beneficial than asking "what did you make/do in Art Therapy today?"

Sometimes parents are concerned that their child will not settle with an unfamiliar adult, and want to join them in the therapy space. I find that once children see the art materials, they are engaged immediately, and there is no separation anxiety. 

Parents may stay just while the child gets settled, but children behave quite differently when parents are not present, and it's important for the child to feel able to share without concern of how their parent may react. Sometimes the art making is messy and unorthodox—parents can struggle to stay uninvolved, so it is best to wait for the child outside the therapy room.

If a child requests their parent come with them into the session, I always allow and support this, and ask the child if they would like their parent to do artmaking alongside them, or observe nearby. When the child wants the parent to join in alongside them it is often because they see the opportunity for quality focussed time with that parent, and I take a supporting role in facilitating this connection.

The therapy space is confidential, even for children, but with a few exceptions which I explain to the child and parents in the first session.

I encourage parents to give any updates by email or at the beginning of their child's session if necessary, and I suggest regular 20 min Parent Consult sessions to provide support and updates. These sessions are charged at a percentage of the usual hourly rate.