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
Author Archives: Carla
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
C.CET – The new College of Creative and Experiential Therapies with PACFA
In an Australian first, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) has voted unanimously to establish a new professional home for Creative and Experiential Therapists – the College of Creative and Experiential Therapies, or C.CET. In this 14 minute … 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
“DRAMATIC PLAY” – with Performing Artists Sarah Culy and Henry de Oleveira at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
In our creative work devising theatre, the group engages in a process we call ‘crossing the threshold.’ It is a way of leaving the dust of the day at the door and committing openly and whole-heartedly to the group, the … Read More
“INNER WORK FOR THE WORKER” – Miranda Madgwick of PACFA’s College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices joins the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Inner Work for the Worker Inner Work is process of understanding yourself, the environment around you and the elements that have shaped your life. Then working them into a strength that you can use in your day to day life. … Read More
“PLAYFUL SPACES: Creative Arts Therapy in Schools” – with Gerry Katz PhD, Melissa Nelson-Campbell and Dr Carla van Laar at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Possibilities are opening up for creative arts therapists to work with kids in school communities. In this workshop, we invite the exploration of: possibilities for how we respond, recognising what we bring, connecting our work with our values. We share … Read More
“CONNECTING WITH NATURE” – Alana Stewart combines Nature-Based and Expressive Arts Therapies at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Alana presents a self care experiential using nature-based expressive arts therapy. Alana will guide you through a process of exploring your senses and connecting to yourself through nature. Alana Stewart is an Art Therapist and Counsellor working in private practice. … Read More
SHAUN MCNIFF MAKES A CAMEO APPEARANCE at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
“Creativity is a force of nature, the mainstream of imagination accessible to all”.from Imagination in Action ~Shaun McNiff It is with great joy and anticipation that I am delighted to announce… Shaun McNiff will be visiting the 2022 Creative Mental … Read More
“A Sense of Place” CARLA VAN LAAR Exhibition Catalogue 2nd – 31st March 2022
A Sense of Place : Carla van Laar 2nd – 31st March 2022 Inverloch Community Hub 16 A’Beckett St Inverloch Open 7 days from 10am – 4pm Handcrafted Tasmanian Oak frames by L-Mac Carpentry For SALES enquiries contact Carla … Read More
PROGRAM – 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
We pay our respects to the Boon Wurrung People, the Traditional Owners of this place in which we meet. We honour them, their elders and their ancestors. We thank them for Welcoming us here to this meeting place in their … Read More
Relaxing Sound Bath – with NICKY DE GRUCHY at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Reset your vibration with a healing sound bath at this year’s Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. Relaxing Sound Bath In a relaxing sound bath therapeutic session, you are invited to immerse yourself in the magic of sound. … Read More
New publication: “ART THERAPY FIRST AID – Growing Capacity with Art Therapists in Communities Affected by Australian Bushfires”.
Art Therapy in Response to Natural Disasters, Mass Violence and Crisis is a new Jessica Kingsely publication edited by Joseph Scarce. I am honoured to be one of the authors in this wonderful new book. … … Editor Joseph Scarce has … Read More
The Art of Decolonising Disability Support Work – TARA HARRIDEN’S PhD Research Project.
“I believe in the power of research as a social change-maker – I hope that my research will affect some change in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with psychosocial disabilities” – Tara Harriden Proud to be … Read More