Art is a Way of Knowing There is a difference between making art to “express something”, and making art as a form of inquiry, using creative process as a means of knowledge production – employing art as a way of … Read More
Author Archives: Carla
BIRTHING THE NEW PARADIGM, TOGETHER with Marianne Wobcke
Birthing the new paradigm, together. Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are honoured to be joined by Indigenous Midwife, award wining Arts and Health Practitioner and PhD Researcher, Marianne Wobcke, as a special guest facilitator. During … Read More
Experience the Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat with Dr Carla van Laar in 2024
We’ve done it! Changed the name of our forum to better reflect the true nature of this event – “collective care”. Are you a mental health professional looking to explore the power of creative approaches in your practice? Do you … Read More
IMAGES OF MATTER AND WHAT MATTERS TO YOU with Anja Zimmermann
Images of matter and what matters to you? Historically, people labeled with intellectual disabilities (ID) have experienced stigma, discrimination, segregation, social isolation, and violence. Until today, social justice in a sense of barrier free possibilities for belonging to … Read More
WELCOME TO COUNTRY with Yowengerra / Yalluk Bulluk
Yowenjerra/Yalluk Bulluk Consultants provide a very open look into the culture of the Boon Wurrung. Yowengerra/Yalluk Bulluk would like to invite you to attend a traditional Welcome to Country so that you can walk with ease on these … Read More
RECRUITING A CREATIVE OR EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIST TO YOUR TEAM?
Introducing PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies Dear Employer, Team Leader, or Manager, Introducing PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies I am pleased to inform you of the establishment of the College of Creative and … Read More
FELTING FIBRES INTO BEING with Megan Fromholtz
Felting Fibres into Being The sensory nature of felting has many appeals to all ages, abilities and situations. Whether you are creating felt yourself, to use in imaginative play, or guiding clients through the felting journey to find … Read More
ARE YOU A WONDER WORKER?
Feature image above published by the Inverloch RSL: Members of the Inverloch RSL participating in the new “Ocean /Art Mindfulness” wellbeing program for veterans, proudly funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Are you a Wonder Worker? I … Read More
SUPERVISION STUDIO – Online Creative Practice with Dr Carla van Laar
WATCH MY 2 MINUTE INTRO TO SUPER VISION STUDIO https://vimeo.com/811512264?share=copy SUPERVISION STUDIO with Dr Carla van Laar is an online, small group supervision session where we focus on using creative and collaborative processes as ways to connect, explore, problem solve … Read More
IMPROV EXHIBITION and WELCOME COCKTAIL DINNER PARTY
DRESS TO EXPRESSAND BRING YOUR ARTFriday 5th May 2023 At our Welcome Cocktail Dinner PartyAnd Improvised Exhibition. Step 1: bring your art5pm at the Inlet Hotel Step 2: dress up and come to the party6.30 – 8.30pm at the Inlet Hotel You are … Read More
WHAT’S BENEATH OUR FEET? with Melissa McDevitt Weston and Carla van Laar
What’s beneath our feet? Cultural awareness in Australian Nature-based Arts Therapy For Arts Therapists wishing to practice Nature-based Arts Therapy in Australia, Cultural awareness is essential, and can become a deeply healing experience for Country, Traditional Owners and Arts Therapists, … Read More
POST TRAUMATIC PLAY and SAND TRAY THERAPY – presentation and workshop with Sharon Duthie
“Post-traumatic play – children speaking the unspeakable through play.” There are often no words to describe the terrifying events, nor the words to express the deep sense of loss – the multitude of losses – that result from childhood … Read More
Developing an Inclusive Practice with Lucian Marine
Developing an Inclusive Practice Let’s explore ways to cultivate a more inclusive practice that affirms LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming communities. Together we will deconstruct dominant narratives thinking about how they serve or dis-serve. Have you felt hindered or … Read More
SEVEN LIVED EXPERIENCE STORIES of making meaning using art therapy
Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy – three years later, a creative follow up The international journal of art therapy published our article ‘Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy’ in … Read More
ESSENCE OF PLACE – evocative sound journey with Nicky De Gruchy and Peter Baird
Reset your vibration with a restorative sound journey performed by Nicky and Peter at this year’s Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. Essence of Place sound journey Nature recordings, crystal bowls, chimes, percussion, live instruments guitar and voice … Read More
LEADING IN SONG: Playful ways to create community with Michelle Morgan
Have you ever wanted to include sound or song in your work, but just haven’t quite felt confident enough? In this experiential workshop, we’ll explore what helps people to feel safe to make sound together. We’ll engage in some playful … Read More
THE EMERGING COLOUR OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE with Leeza Stratford and Alieta Belle
Explore the emerging colour of a different perspective while watching the cauldron boil In a gentle, hands on workshop we hold a sense of openness to what bubbles up in the moment as we explore the creation of … Read More
EARTH ART OFFERING with Melissa McDevitt Weston
Earth Art Offering – introducing Ochre Image: “Earth’s Flow” 2022 by Melissa McDevitt Weston. This piece was inspired by how Mother Earth creates such beautiful images in the shapes, colours and textures of the land and waterways. The … Read More
TEA MOVEMENT – a peaceful tea ceremony and therapeutic yoga with the team from Art Tea-rapy
THE TEA MOVEMENT – with Su Mei Tan, Eric Jiancong Zhang, Chanudi Wickramasinha and Weiyu Guan Su Mei, Eric, Chanudi and Weiyu join us on Sunday 7th May at the 2023 Creative Mental Health Forum to share this integrative, … Read More
HEART SONG – Brodie Caporn shares how to make music and meaning together with children and families
HEART SONG – Including Song Writing in your therapeutic practice – NO MUSIC SKILLS REQUIRED! Brodie is back in 2023! Brodie Caporn joins us on Sunday 7th May at the 2023 Creative Mental Health Forum to share this process … Read More
STITCHING OUR STRENGTHS – with Kerri Weymouth & Carla van Laar
Kerri and Carla are teaming up and taking on ‘imposter syndrome’ in this fire side exposé. Lets de-pathologise ‘imposter syndrome’ together, and expose it as a story that serves a particular system of power – the “internalised patriarchy”. … Read More
COCOON IN SOUND: a Journey into Connection with Minky van der Walt
To cocoon: “to envelop in a protective or comforting way” (Oxford languages). Music offers a natural cocoon of comfort, predictability and containment. With its multifaceted and endless permutations of moving forward, slowing down, resting, stretching, expressing, and connecting … Read More
EMBODIED IMPULSE – theatre inspired practice with Henry de Oleveira and Sarah Culy
Henry and Sarah draw on their experience as theatre makers to bring you an exploration of embodied impulse. In this experiential workshop, you are invited to participate in a number of theatre informed practices that emphasise listening to, and expressing, … Read More
THIS ONE’S FOR EVERYONE! COMMUNITY MARKET and PICNIC DINNER
It’s the final night of our 2023 Creative Mental Health Forum and we have been out and about during the day choosing our own creative self care adventures… so, let’s re-group in community, and share our stories, along with … Read More
VERY CASUAL CAMP FIRE TUNES with Jenny Taylor
Round off the day together on Sunday with a rollicking fire side sing-a-long led by local Jumbunna based musician and choir leader Jenny Taylor Jenny is a performer, songwriter teacher and choir leader who has made music her life for … Read More
EMPLOYING THE ARTS FOR EXCELLENCE AND ENGAGEMENT IN RURAL AND REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH
CALL TO ACTION: RURAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Next time your service is advertising a position, add “suitably qualified Creative Arts Therapist” to the list of allied health professionals that can apply to the role. We can help fill gaps in … Read More
PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies submission to the new National Cultural Policy
Image credit: “Gooloo’s Scar Tree” by Gooloo (100com x 120cm; multimedia on canvas) Finalist in Brisbane Portrait Prize – 2021 This submission has been prepared on behalf of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)’s College of Creative and … Read More
Congratulations PACFA for successfully achieving full membership of AHPA (Allied Health Professions Australia).
Congratulations PACFA for successfully achieving full membership of AHPA (Allied Health Professions Australia). This is excellent news for all members of PACFA and anyone considering becoming a member including Creative Arts Therapists. PACFA was formerly an affiliate member of AHPA, … Read More
SUPERVISION STUDIO – Online Creative Practice with Dr Carla van Laar
SUPERVISION STUDIO with Dr Carla van Laar is an online, small group supervision session where we focus on using creative and collaborative processes as ways to connect, explore, problem solve and gain insight into our work. BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW … Read More
Arts, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing : Policy Development response from Dr Carla van Laar
Arts, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing The Australia Council for The Arts recently hosted a program to develop a policy paper focusing on Arts, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing. I was privileged to participate in the workshops. Participants were invited to share … Read More