Artsphobia is the socially produced fear, hostility or marginalisation of the arts and creative expression. It operates through dominant discourses and policies that position aesthetic, sensory, expressive and experiential ways of knowing as peripheral, indulgent or non-essential — normalising their devaluation and rendering that marginalisation invisible or inevitable. … Read More
Inverloch Creative Therapies
Creative and Experiential Therapy provided by Qualified Registered Professionals
Creativity is a natural human language — emerging directly from our senses, embodied feelings, gestures, motivations and imagination.
What is Creative and Experiential Therapy?
Creative and Experiential Therapists are PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellors who specialise in the use of ‘more than verbal’ approaches in therapy. Creative and Experiential approaches can include the arts, such as:
- visual,
- music,
- dance/movement,
- creative writing
- and drama,
- as well as play,
- embodied/somatic,
- nature-based,
- and animal-assisted methods.
We are registered Allied Health Professionals who are committed to evidence-informed practice.
We work within PACFA’s code of ethical conduct, and have up to date National Police Checks and Working With Children Checks.
Who can benefit from Creative and Experiential Therapy?
People of all ages and abilities can benefit from Creative and Experiential Therapy.
If any of the following apply to you, creative and experiential approaches may be a good option for you:
- talking therapy is not accessible or suitable for you,
- you are interested in trying an experiential approach to therapy,
- you are a visual, sensory or kinaesthetic learner.
Our services can cater for:
- Individuals or small groups seeking a one-off session for a particular issue or reason,
- Individuals who require a series of sessions to work on particular life challenges or transitions,
- Groups or Teams who require a one-off team building or mental health workshop,
- Groups or Teams who would benefit from a creative mental health program for a series of weeks or months.
What are the benefits of Creative and Experiential Therapies?
Evidence shows that Creative and Experiential Therapies support improvements in various domains including:
- cognitive,
- physical,
- mental health,
- emotional wellness,
- healing from trauma,
- communication,
- social skills
- and relationships.
See Dr Carla’s recent co-authored article HERE for more information about the evidence.
How is Creative and Experiential Therapy funded?
You can self-fund your Creative and Experiential Therapy sessions, or use a variety of funding sources if you are eligible. Funding sources for Creative and Experiential Therapy can include:
- NDIS Capacity Building Therapeutic Supports
- FRMP Brokerage Funding
- Private Health Insurance such as BUPA, Medibank, AHM, ARHG and HCF.
- Work Safe Victoria
- Victorian Victims of Crime
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Department Veterans Affairs.
Please contact us to discuss if you are eligible to use your funding to access our services.
Create your own wellbeing
Experience the benefits of slowing down, being present in the moment and connecting with nature through creative wellbeing activities that are tailored for you or your group.
Studio Art Therapy
– practice mindful and relaxing guided art making together in Carla’s studio using modalities such as clay, paint, collage, weaving or drawing from nature as a meditative practice.
A perfect wellbeing activity during your visit to Inverloch.
1 hour $180
1.5 hours $200
Extra participants $50 each
Supportive Art Therapy for NDIS participants
A regular creative session can support people living with disabilities to develop their creative practice in a social, supportive and welcoming art studio environment.
Participants will be able to explore and experiment with a range of art materials depending on their interests.
The emphasis is on nurturing the creativity of each individual, with opportunities to experience success and satisfaction through the processes of artistic production.
Dr Carla believes that everyone has their own unique style and creativity. She loves to nurture the blossoming of each individual as they find their own creative language of expression through art.
Pricing as per the NDIS guide
Nature Art Therapy
Take a guided mindful walk in the living world, come to your senses and experience the restorative qualities of nature as you use naturally occurring materials to create an ephemeral art work.
In this guided Nature Art Therapy workshop, you can expect to become more attuned to your own sense of connection with the creative life energy of the universe.
We care for the environment by making ephemeral land-based art that leaves a trace, but no waste.
This practice can provide you with clarity and insights, as well as perspective and support.
As part of this session, I interview you about your experience and provide you with a video recording so that you have a record of your encounter, and a message for yourself to take back into your day to day life.
This session is ideal for those wanting some nurturing self care and who need a restorative and healing experience.
2 hours, 2 people – $250
Extra people $50 each
Ocean Art Therapy
In collaboration with the OffShore Surf School, this half day of wellbeing begins with a surf, swim or paddle, followed by painting a canvas about your experience to keep you connected and in your creative flow.
Ocean Art Therapy half-day package inclusions
- Participation in a one hour small group surfing lesson with all equipment provided at the Inverloch Surf Beach.
- A two hour painting workshop including a canvas, paint, brushes and equipment in Carla’s Art Studio or outdoors.
- Perfect for community or corporate groups of up to 12.
Starts at: $450 for 2 people
$100 for each extra person
Referring Child or Young Person?
Here at Inverloch Creative Therapies, we can work with children and young people who have been affected by traumatic life events.
Please contact Dr Carla directly to refer a child or young person.
Dr Carla van Laar – Arts and Health Worker, Creative Arts Therapist, Arts Therapy Educator and Activist since 1991.
“Arts Therapists are holistic and adaptable mental health practitioners,
many of whom have come to the profession through our own lived experiences of life challenges
including grief and loss, trauma, and mental distress.
We each have our own lived experiences of how the arts have supported our own well-being, care, healing and recovery.
It is through this first-hand understanding that we connect and engage with others who are going through their own struggles.
We value self-efficacy and choice for the people we work with,
and we are passionate about facilitating opportunities for people to have voices,
to be seen and heard, and exercise agency
when it comes to managing their own mental health care”.
Curious to know more?
Global Recognition
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the effectiveness of the arts and arts therapies to support wellbeing and for helping people experiencing mental unwellness at all stages of life.
A core strength of arts therapy is that it responds to the needs of each person rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Engaging through Art is often more accessible and culturally sensitive than the Western medical model of talking through problems.
Engaging in the Arts actually empowers people to develop skills that help them to cope with the challenges of life, like strengthened relationships, connection with community, self-efficacy and hope.
References
Bloch-Atefi, A., Day, E., Snell, T., & O’Neill, G. (2021). A snapshot of the counselling and psychotherapy workforce in Australia in 2020: Underutilised and poorly remunerated, yet highly qualified and desperately needed. Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, 9(2).
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. World Health Organization.
van Laar, C., Bloch-Atefi, A., Grace, J. & Zimmermann, A. (2025). Empowering Voices: Learning from NDIS Participants. PACJA, Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia.
Where Values Meet Practice – Inside the Supervision Studio
Where Values Meet Practice – Inside the Supervision Studio The calling and the dissonance People who choose the helping professions often describe feeling a “calling”, and experience their work itself as an art. We can be particularly empathetic, sensitive and … Read More
Creativity, Improvisation, and the Art of Meeting Life
“The Ability to Improvise Is the Ability to Live” What if creativity is not a luxury, but a life skill? A new neuroscience study on jazz improvisation offers something rare: a way of watching creativity unfold in real time. Researchers … Read More
Out of the Light and Into the Shadows: Exploring Spaces Not Yet Defined
“Stepping into the light,” is a well-known metaphor, suggesting that clarity is only found through illumination. In creative and experiential therapies, and in life, shadows possess their own kind of wisdom. … 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
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
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
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
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
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 1 “See a Rainbow”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of my research into how the environments that we live and work in affect us – or our contexts – and I invite … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 2 – Drawing Breath
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce the links between creative practices, mindful approaches, and traditional healing practices. I then invite you to use the process of drawing your breath … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 1 – relaxation
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit: Carla van Laar In this series of articles, I invite you to embark on a creative journey of self care. I include gentle experiential and arts based processes and activities that … Read More
‘The Artist’ or ‘The Critic’ – the Judged or the Judge; why we need more roles in our repertoire when it comes to art.
Dr Carla van Laar AThR most of us have been socialised from a very early age to develop only two roles in our repertoire when it comes to art – “The Artist” or “The Critic”… The result can be that … Read More
Arts Therapists Recognised by Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
Our voices are part of a chorus who want greater choice for people in managing their own mental health care, and greater inclusion for Arts Therapists as highly skilled and valued members of Victoria’s Mental Health Workforce. Tuesday the 2nd … Read More
