Emma van Daal (nee Hodges) – Contemplating the radical potential of the therapeutic space.

Emma van Daal joins us as a presenter at the 2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. She shares discoveries from her recent Doctoral research, bringing together philosophy, practice, architecture and the design of trauma-informed spaces.

Emma writes:

“The practice and theory of any therapeutic process is usually thought strictly within anthropocentric boundaries. That is, pertaining to that which belongs to or arises because of human interactions with the self, other, and our environment. This is the core foundation of subjectivity.

70% of what “happens” in therapy is purported to be due to the therapeutic relationship. We continue to assume this outcome is the result of some alchemical mix of mutually resonate personal qualities such as shared values, philosophies, and experiences. This assumption is a beautiful one, that continues to seduce us—to think, to feel, to hope the encounters of therapy will be healing. It is in this unique intersubjective space relational connections are made and strengthened, helping to repair ruptures in past, current, and future relationships.

But what if what we understand about this therapeutic space is incomplete and, in many ways, inaccurate and the relational connections extend beyond person-to-person to the materiality of the milieu in which you are situated?

What would happen to our way of practicing if we considered the materiality of certain physical environments and how this shapes our thinking/working/relating?

How would de-centring subjectivity open new spaces to move into that improve the experience of therapy and promote healing?

In my presentation, I will pleat together the various irruptions and intersections of my arts-making-as-inquiry doctoral research into making voice immanent WITH designing trauma-informed therapeutic spaces WITH philosophy WITH working with traumatised mother-infant dyads to argue for a more nuanced turn in our knowledge and understanding. Specifically, I contemplate how the human and nonhuman, inanimate and animate elements converge in the intensive zone of the therapeutic space that drive becoming in complex and complicated ways. My intention is to generate questions that open new thinking that deepen practice”.

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About Emma

Emma’s approach to her therapeutic work and research is both creative and playful, conditions essential to inquire into lived experiencing and alive spaces. Much of her 15-year career as a psychotherapist is with children, women, and families who have experienced complex trauma working in private, community, and academic roles.

Emma has recently submitted her Professional Doctorate in Therapeutic Arts Practice, “Making Voice Immanent” and is the chief investigator researching a group psychotherapy intervention for mothers and babies who have experienced family violence.

She is passionate and dedicated to promoting the need for traumatised infants (and parents/caregivers) to access early intervention that incorporates expressive arts therapies, and is sensitive and responsive to the developmental needs of young children.

Emma draws from the arts, psychology, philosophy, and architecture to reflexively think/work/play as a therapist and researcher.

We pay our deep respects to the First Peoples of Boon Wurrung Country where we will meet.

Friday 14th – Monday 17th May 2021

Inverloch RACV Resort, Bass Coast, Victoria

Your host, Dr Carla van Laar is a Professional Member and Accredited Supervisor with ANZACATA.

This training event is proudly endorsed by PACFA for 11 hours of continuing professional development.

We welcome Professor Anne (Dan) Harris, Director of Creative Agency Research Lab, ARC Future Fellow, Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, School of Education, RMIT University.

Profits from this forum/retreat will be donated to support CATA’s work employing qualified Arts Therapists to work with families of children receiving end of life care. 

$600 registration fee covers core program, Friday night Welcome Dinner, morning and afternoon teas, and is payable in 3 instalments.

Registration does not include accomodation or meals other than the Welcome Dinner.

The core program includes Welcome Dinner, morning mindful activities, 6 x keynote presentations, 6 x 1.5 hour experiential workshops and a number of optional wellness activities for self-care including dance, art making, swimming and walking. Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Snorkelling are available as optional add ons at affordable prices. 

 This forum supports the goals of the ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign – to have Arts Therapists recognised as mental health professionals.For this purpose, the forum is designed to be educational in an experiential sense – by providing opportunities to participate first hand in creative and holistic workshops and activities, as well as hear from dynamic keynote presenters and a panel of lived experience experts.

The 2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self-care Retreat is an opportunity to look after yourself and learn while enjoying good company and restorative time in the living world.

It is hosted only two hours drive from Melbourne in the beautiful surrounds of the Bass Coast Bunurong Marine Park and township of coastal Inverloch.

This Professional Development event is suitable for Therapists  interested in understanding more about creative approaches in mental health care.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AND SELF CARE RETREAT