AWAKEN YOUR SENSES WITH NATURE Experience the magic through an ancient herbal artform; Besom-making.
We are excited to invite allied health professionals, creative artists, and educators to a transformative workshop at the 2025 Creative Mental Health Forum. This hands-on experience, led by well-loved and experienced Art and Equine Therapists Kim Wren and Lindy Schneider, offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of creativity, nature, and mental health.
In this immersive workshop, you will engage your senses in crafting herbal besoms, wreaths, or dreamcatchers, all while reconnecting with the healing power of nature. Participants will be guided to tap into their sense of smell, sight, touch, taste, and even sound as they work with a variety of herbs and plants. This experience emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and intention, allowing you to cultivate presence and joy while honing your creative skills.
Image: a herbal wreath under construction.
Creating a herbal besom is more than making a pleasing posy; it is a meaningful practice that can enhance your professional toolkit. These hand crafted brooms serve practical purposes, such as mindfully clearing your workspace, and their herbal scents can evoke calm and clarity—not only for you but also for your clients and students. The whole sensory experience of selecting and making, then using a besom is an ancient practice you can adapt easily to support the mental and emotional well-being of those you work alongside.
Image: herbal besoms hanging in the spiral stairwell at Kim Wren’s “Wedgetail Therapy” stables and studio.
Explore the Cultural and Historical Significance of Besoms As you engage in this creative process, discover the rich history and symbolism behind besoms. Traditionally crafted from materials like birch and heather, these tools have played significant roles in various rituals and cultural practices, from pagan fertility celebrations to their historical associations with witchcraft. Understanding these connections provides a deeper appreciation for the cultural context of your creations and offers valuable insights that you can share with your clients or students.
This workshop is designed for allied health professionals, creative artists, and educators eager to broaden their skills, deepen their understanding of creative practices, and foster connections in a vibrant community. All materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring any found objects that resonate with their personal journey
Meet Your Inspiring Facilitators,
Kim Wren and Lindy Schneider
Image: Kim with a collection of freshly made herbal besoms.
Introducing Kim Wren
Kim Wren is an Art, Eco and Equine Therapist and the proprietor of Wedgetail Therapy in the Yarra Valley, where she and her team work with a broad variety of clients including NDIS participants.
Kim has always felt part of the wonderful and embracing world of nature. She has a background in horticulture and has held positions in state forests and botanical gardens Australia wide. Kim completed an Advanced Diploma in Art Therapy and brings together her vast experience with nature and horses within a therapeutic and self-development environment. She has more than thirty years’ experience with horses and is also a Level 2 instructor in Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL).
Image: Lindy Schneider sits barefoot and happy outdoors on a comfortable rock.
Introducing Lindy Schneider
Lindy Schneider is a creative arts therapist, counsellor, EFL practitioner, writer and mentor with more than 30 years’ experience in the helping professions.
As a therapist at Wedgetail Therapy, she creates a supportive space for people of all abilities to benefit from art, equine and eco therapy. She has a keen interest in weaving together experiences for people in the natural world to facilitate wellbeing and a deeper sense of self and human potential through the written word. She has a background in Marketing and Human Resource Management, has a post-graduate qualification in Arts/Writing and is a Level 2 instructor in Equine Facilitated Learning.
Join Kim and Lindy at the 2025 Creative Mental Health Forum, and learn how to integrate creativity and nature into your practice. Whether you are looking to enhance your therapeutic methods, inspire your students, or simply recharge your creative spirit, this workshop is for you. Connect, create, and cultivate your journey toward holistic healing through an ancient practice with organic materials.
Join us for the fifth annual Creative Mental Health Forum. 2nd – 5th May 2025.
Boon Wurrung Country: Inverloch, Victoria, Australia.
An immersive professional development event for allied health professionals, educators and creative practitioners who are deeply interested in the new paradigm of creative mental health and wellbeing.
Join us for the fifth annual Creative Mental Health Forum.
2nd – 5th May 2025.
WE WELCOME
CREATIVE THERAPISTS,
ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
AND EDUCATORS WHO:
want to learn more about creative mental health,
be inspired by holistic and diverse workshops and presenters,
connect with like minded practitioners,
and “refill your well” with time in a beautiful nurturing environment and space for self care.
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