We pay our deep respects to the First Peoples of Boon Wurrung Country where we will meet.
CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AND SELF CARE RETREAT
Friday 6th – Monday 9th May 2022
Inverloch RACV Resort, Bass Coast, Victoria.
Click here to book your place now
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,
and “refill your well” with time in a beautiful nurturing environment and space for self care.
“This forum was one of the best professional development experiences I have had, with great presenters & facilitators, a fun & inclusive atmosphere, all in a beautiful location.” – testimonial from 2021
“It is hard to put into words the immense impact this retreat has had on my personal sense of wellbeing and belonging to this group of inspirational professionals.
I felt a deep sense of connection to everyone attending, a warmth and generosity that made me proud to be part of this event and this group!”
– testimonial from 2021
“The forum was a mix of education, connection and self-care. Filling my bucket to continue with renewed strength to use creative therapies to help young people with mental health issues.”
– testimonial from 2021
Register here to reserve your place
This Professional Development event is specially designed for Creative Arts Therapists, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Health and Allied Health Professionals, Educators and Caring Professionals who are interested in understanding more about creative approaches in mental health care, and who essentially need some time to relax, reconnect and restore your energies.
The Journey…
Friday: Welcome to Country and social dinner with art and entertainment.
Saturday and Sunday: Creative Wellbeing and Self Care workshops and presentations at the RACV Resort and outdoors in the environment.
Monday: time for Self Care and a closing ritual at the beach.
What’s the investment?
4 x $200 payments spread over 8 months.
Includes:
Welcome dinner, morning and afternoon teas on Saturday and Sunday, all core workshops at the RACV Resort.
*Does not include accomodation – please book your own.
Book your place here
Experience for yourself how:
Creative practices support mental health
Contemporary Arts Therapists are working to promote and recover mental wellbeing
Arts Therapies are inclusive, holistic, trauma-informed and socially relevant.
…
This Forum supports the goals of the
ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign
to raise awareness of Creative Arts Therapies
as an integral part of Australia’s
Mental Health and Wellbeing System.
The 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self-care Retreat
is an opportunity to look after yourself and learn
while enjoying good company and restorative time in the living world.
…
It is hosted only two hours drive from Melbourne
in the beautiful surrounds of the Bass Coast Bunurong Marine Park
and township of coastal Inverloch.
…
The program includes time for self care, to relax and rejuvenate.
…
It’s time to refill your well.
The Creative Mental Health Forum
and Self Care Retreat includes:
Cultural awareness, Welcome dinner and Keynote
Creative Mental Health workshops and presentations
Participation in optional wellness practices including mindfulness, dance, swimming, nature walks, surfing and paddle boarding
Time to relax, explore and connect with your friends and colleagues
Participate in the Exhibition of Creative Mental Health Artworks
Click here to book now
Your host, Dr Carla van Laar,
is a Clinical Registrant and Accredited Supervisor with the Psychotherapy and Counseling Foundation of Australia (PACFA),
and holds membership with Holistic Therapists Australia (HTA) and the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA).
“It gave me a real boost of confidence, of hope and sense of community! Thank you Carla!” – testimonial from 2021
Registration is open – please CLICK HERE to ensure your place
“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
“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 WorkerInner 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
“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
“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
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
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
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
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
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,
“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
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
REFILL YOUR WELL with CORNELIA ELBRECHT and CHRIS STORM at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
The Arts Therapies and Embodiment Sensorimotor Art Therapy has the ability to find language when we can’t access the spoken word. It engages the felt sense through trauma-informed sensory and movement
SELF CARE through MARTIAL ARTS with Black Belt VICKIE SIMOS at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
"I have worked in many industries over the years, but have stayed true to my two passions - Martial Arts Mental Health, which is the basis of my new business
HEALING THE TRAUMATISED SPIRIT THROUGH CREATIVE EXPERIENCE – Michael Burge OAM, Keynote Presenter at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
"Experiential methods with the power of spontaneity and creativity, such as psychodrama, can help the traumatized client develop better relationships with the self, rediscover lost roles and reconnect with humanity'
KIM BILLINGTON – “Stories of Transformation” at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Narratively inspired author of "A Counsellor's Companion" and "Counselling Conversations", Kim Billington, joins the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat to share an experiential folk tale work
“MATERNAL HOLDING” – Dr Ariel Moy contributes new understandings through Arts Based Research findings
"the creative exploration of holding is a simple, everyday way of accessing significant relational stories, purpose and loving connection or what I call, the mother/child ‘us’" ... I was delighted
CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH – FILM LAUNCH
"2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat" is a twelve minute documentary filmed on location in Boon Wurrung Country, South Eastern Victoria, at the event of the same
2021 Creative Mental Health Forum brings 60 Arts Therapists to Boon Wurrung country, South Gippsland, Australia
https://youtu.be/I302-fmzMUY Sixty Creative Arts Therapists from all over Victoria and interstate gathered on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung People in Inverloch for the first Australian summit of its
