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
Author Archives: Carla
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
MY SUPER POWER IS…
What is your own special SUPER POWER? Remember! Art Therapy is a time to relax, enjoy yourself, focus on your strengths express your personality and how you like to make art there is no right or wrong way, no good … Read More
FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVE WELLBEING – online course with Dr Carla van Laar
Watch the overview OPENING SPECIAL 67% DISCOUNT – THE FULL COURSE FOR ONLY $99 PURCHASE NOW – CLICK HERE What to expect from this refreshing new course by leading Art Therapist Dr Carla van Laar? … This highly experiential course … Read More
The Hero’s Journey goes Bollywood!! – with Anjali Sengupta at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
The Hero’s Journey meets Bollywood dance in this unique, multi-modal, expressive arts workshop based on the work of Joseph Campbell and Anjali’s own explorations of the psycho-technologies of Bollywood dance, music and performance arts as portals that allow us to … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 2 “Seeing Differently – Noticing Change””
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share a personal story about how what we see can change, and then I invite you to reflect on how you have changed since you … Read More
Art Therapy First Aid
The Art Therapy First Aid Professional Development workshop is suitable for qualified Art Therapists, Allied Health professionals and Educators. The training covers: Psychological First Aid principles as outlined in the APS Australian guidelines for supporting people affected by disaster. Clarify … Read More
The Art of Relationship, Connection and Co-creation
Relationship is the core of all problems and all healing. Through our art based relating and connecting we co-create. Understanding how we do this is core to strengthening our practice and our capacities as art therapists. The intertwining of relationship, … Read More
Getting Creative with Trauma: Part 2
• Art based responses to grief, loss and trauma• Intergenerational relationships• Multi-dimensional perspectives• Creating a new relationship with the past and healing the future. This workshop follows on from Getting Creative with Trauma: Part 1.In part 2 we engage in … Read More
Art Therapy Groups: Behind the Scenes
Let’s get practical. Get the hands-on skills to help you do the work you love!• Planning• Funding• Evaluation• Reporting Learn how to plan so that you are identifying and meeting real needs, create realistic and achievable timelines and budgets, find … Read More
Demystifying Art Based Research
Art in research, Art-informed research, Art as Research, Art based inquiry… Get a handle on what these terms really mean – YES – they are different things and can all be very useful approaches in conducting research and evaluation. Over … Read More
“Meeting Places: Art Based, Collaborative Goal Setting and Therapeutic Reviews”
Institutional practices often require art therapists and holistic counsellors to engage in ‘assessments’, ‘treatment plans’ and ‘case reviews’. The mere language of these practices can feel incongruent with the values we hold, and challenge our authenticity as holistic and client … Read More
Existential Essentials for Art Therapists
Being human, by its very nature, presents us with dilemmas associated with our existences. This full day workshop focuses on understanding an existential perspective in art therapy. We will look at the fundamentals of an existential perspective, and learn to … Read More
Getting Creative with Trauma
Learn how to use creative responses within a trauma informed approach to: • assist with regulating emotions and automatic responses • strengthen safe and healing interpersonal relationships • support transformative re-authoring of the past, present and future. “Getting Creative with … Read More
Presence and Embodiment in Art Therapy
Through our art based activities, we can have a heightened awareness of our embodied experience in the present moment, through which we cultivate presence to ourselves, others and the material world. In this training work-shop we practice, explore and deepen … Read More
“SONGWRITING FOR THE SOUL” – With Singer/Songwriter and Creative Arts Therapist Brodie Caporn at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Songwriting for the Soul Workshop Brodie Caporn brings her gift for collaborative music making to the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat: an invitation to join a group songwriting workshop that culminates in a co-created composition, … Read More
Dr. Raj Ramanathapillai and Dr. Lisa (O’Beirne) Moseley – “RESPONDING TO DRAWN IMAGES OF WAR” at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Responding to Drawn Images of War: A Trauma-informed discussion. Dr. Raj Ramanathapillai and Dr. Lisa (O’Beirne) Moseley are counsellor-advocates with survivors of torture and war trauma with Foundation House, one of Australia’s eight states/territories affiliated FASSTT NFP organisations. In this … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 1 “Materials and moving – my choices today”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce some ideas about change as an inevitable part of life, and invite you to observe the changes and choices you make through exploring an … Read More