Presenters 2024

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 her … 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 all … Read More

STRENGTHENING THE VESSEL with Ann Soo Lawrence

Strengthening the Vessel in the Ebb and Flow: Creative approaches in working with refugees and asylum seeker experiences.   Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are delighted to be joined byAnn Soo Lawrence Social Worker, Creative Arts Therapist, … Read More

ART THERAPY IN POST-CONFLICT RECONCILIATION AND DETAINEE REHABILITATION with Chanudi Wickramasinha

Exploring the Role of Art Therapy in Post-Conflict Reconciliation and Detainee Rehabilitation   Art Therapist, Chanudi Wickramasinha is joining us in May 2024 to share learnings from her fascinating work with ex-militants. Chanudi is a well-respected practitioner in the field … Read More

RADICAL CREATIVITY with Dr Carla van Laar and Melanie Knight

Rhythm in Flow – Dance Meditation   Dancing is a way of knowing ourselves beyond the physical. Dancing is a way of processing what is stored in the body Dancing is a way of integrating change Dancing is a way … Read More

PLAYBACK THEATRE LIVE AND REAL with A/Prof Drew Bird

Playback Theatre – Live and Real   The Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat is delighted  to welcome Associate Professor, Dramatherapist Drew Bird as a specialist workshop presenter at our 2024 event in Boon Wurrung Country, Inverloch. Drew … Read More

CRAFTING IDENTITY – A BARBIE ART THERAPY WORKSHOP with Michelle Morgan and Alana Stewart

Crafting Identities – a Barbie Art Therapy Workshop     Recently, Mattel released Art Therapist Barbie. She’s the first Barbie in a mental health profession. She’s young, light-skinned, casually dressed, sits on the floor, works with a child, and has … Read More

SINGING YOUR TRUE NATURE with Nicky De Gruchy

Singing Your True Nature     Join Nicky, a professional singer, musician and sound healer with over thirty years of experience, for a unique and transformative journey through the world of sound therapy. With a Diploma in Voice Sound Therapy … Read More

TEXTURAL TRUENESS: LIVED AND LIVING EXPERIENCE with Bree Till

Textural Trueness: Authenticity, Preservation and Permeable Boundaries of Lived and Living Experiences as Sustainable Resources to Support Diverse Populations.   Bree Till is a carer and art therapist with training and experience in advocacy, governance, neurodiversity, and systemic engagement. She … Read More

GIVE VOICE : CHECK IN, CONNECT, RELEASE with Joanna Brooke

Give Voice : Check in, Connect, Release   A morning of sharing our voices in communal song. This workshop flows on from the Saturday evening yarning circle led by Marianne Wobcke, to check in and reflect on our individual stories … Read More

RHYTHM IN FLOW with Jodie Rahda Lynch

Rhythm in Flow – Dance Meditation   Dancing is a way of knowing ourselves beyond the physical. Dancing is a way of processing what is stored in the body Dancing is a way of integrating change Dancing is a way … 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 some … Read More