In this workshop Anna facilitates an engaging 30-minute deep relaxation session. You will be gently guided to a potentially blissful space where waking and sleeping consciousness intertwine. This restorative practice allows participants to unwind and rejuvenate, crucial for those working in high-demand environments, especially with children and families. … Read More
2025 CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM
AND COLLECTIVE CARE RETREAT
Boon Wurrung Country:
Inverloch, Victoria, Australia.
An immersive professional development event for allied health professionals, educators and creative practitioners who are deeply interested in the new paradigm of creative mental health and wellbeing.
Join us for the fifth annual Creative Mental Health Forum.
2nd – 5th May 2025.
FRIDAY 2nd May
10am – Optional Swim.
1pm – Welcome to Country and Cultural Workshop
4pm – Install our Improvised Exhibition
6 – 8.30pm Welcome Cocktail Party
SATURDAY 3rd May
Keynote Workshops at the RACV Resort
Enjoy your breakfast and/or a walk on the beach before gathering together in the beautiful “Panorama Room” for a day of creative workshops and presentations, along with delicious catering at the Inverloch RACV resort.
SUNDAY 5th May
Choose your own self care adventure
A diverse range of smaller group creative workshops in venues around Inverloch’s town centre.
MONDAY 5th May 11am – 1pm
Closing Ritual at the Beach
After checking out of your accommodation and having some quiet time to yourself, we meet once more to reflect on our transformational time together, and prepare ourselves to return home.
TUESDAY 6th May
Bonus Day!
For those who would like to linger longer, Dr Carla van Laar is offering a special boutique small group bonus day:
Morning – 2.5 hour small group creative Supervision Studio workshop.
Afternoon – 2.5 hour painting from life workshop with all materials provided.
Cost: $500
“This has hands down been the best PD retreat I have experienced in my 39 year career“ – testimonial from 2023
What’s the investment?
4 x $220 payments spread over the coming months. =$880
Includes:
Friday: Welcome to Country followed by cocktail party with food and drinks.
Saturday: lunch, morning and afternoon teas and all core workshops at the RACV Resort.
Sunday: your choice of self care workshops offered in various locations around the town.
Monday: Closing large group ritual at the beach.
*Does not include accomodation – please book your own.
Book your place here
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dolls group
Carla (1)
PLEASE CHECK BACK REGULARLY.
WE WILL CONTINUE ANNOUNCING 2025 FACILITATORS OVER THE COMING MONTHS.
“Connection to Country through the Practice of Wayapa” with Justine Lenart.
Justine Lenart, a passionate movement practitioner and First Nations woman, has embraced a practice that not only nurtures her well-being but also fosters a deeper connection to the Earth. This practice is called Wayapa Wurrk, which translates to “connect to the Earth” and is rooted in ancient Indigenous wisdom. … Read More
“Welcome to Country and Cultural Discovery Walk” with Sonia Weston.
Get ready for a very personal experience being Welcomed to Country by Sonia Weston at the 2025 Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat in the beautiful coastal town of Inverloch. … Read More
“Promoting Creative Healing and Preventing Human Trafficking” with Nepalese Activist and Psychologist, Anuradha Acharya.
Anuradha, or ‘Anu’ is a compassionate psychologist with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting survivors of violence, sexual exploitation, and trafficking in Nepal. Her unwavering commitment focuses on helping survivors heal and grow after these traumas. This has led Anu to discover and embrace arts-based and creative approaches as healing modalities. … Read More
“Awaken Your Senses: the ancient art of Besom-Making” with Kim Wren and Lindy Schneider..
This hands-on experience, led by well-loved and experienced Art and Equine Therapists Kim Wren and Lindy Schneider, offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of creativity, nature, and mental health. … Read More
“Making our Marks”: ND Affirming Creative Arts Therapy with Freya Pinney.
Making Our Marks: Reflections on ND Affirming practice by neurodivergent creative arts therapists explores the perspectives of neurodivergent identifying CATs and what ND affirming practice means to them.
This research project involves 7 ND identifying CATs participating in collaborative co-inquiries and interviews. … Read More
Printmaking: The Nature of Reciprocity with Melinda Jane and Emma Fayelecaun.
How might we bring ourselves into meaningful relationships with other bodies, both human and non-human, using embodiment, reciprocity and expressive play?
Using creative printmaking as our primary modality, the invitation will be to explore connection, kinship and reciprocal relationships, with place, with materials and with others. … Read More
Outdoor Play Therapy with Kim Wood, Founder of Heartwood Health Farm.
Outdoor Play Therapy with Kim Wood – experience and learn about it for yourself at the 2025 Creative Mental Health Forum. Introducing Kim Wood Meet Kim Wood, a biologist turned therapist, with a deep-rooted passion for working with … Read More
