SEVEN LIVED EXPERIENCE STORIES of making meaning using art therapy

Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy - three years later, a creative follow up

The international journal of art therapy published our article ‘Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy’ in 2021.

This was followed by our presentation of the article at the international forum of co-production in art therapy hosted by the British Association of Art Therapists in the same year.

Now, in 2023 our presentation offers an overview of the article, the strengths and considerations in co-production research and offers a unique follow-up from several authors, many years after the initial experience of undertaking art therapy.

About the Co-Authors

Leesa

Leesa Addison lives in Brisbane with her family and works as a Partner in a technology consulting firm with a long career focused on driving business transformation for organisations in need of major change. Leesa identifies as being born into a crosshair of inter-generational trauma which has influenced her career choice to help organisations in crisis as use of the skills she gained to survive a childhood in crisis..

Edith

My name is Edith Holland, and I am come from Peru. I live in Brisbane with my husband and my two-year-old son. I work part time in a kindergarten as an educator.

Karen

Karen Rossel is currently living in Brisbane Australia having immigrated from South Africa 20 years ago. Karen is qualified in town planning and has worked in urban design , project management and enjoys engaging in further studies from psychology to human anatomy. Karen has worked in both the public and private sectors and more recently has undertaken community volunteer work. Art therapy has for many years remained a stabilising asset in managing clinical depression and CPTSD.

Justine

Justine Wake is a psychotherapist with 23 years experience working in mental health. She works in Meanjin Australia in private practice. Previously Justine has worked in NGOs, schools and the public mental health system.
Justine has spent much of the last decade working alongside adults, young people and children who have lived experience of complex trauma.

We are delighted to welcome Justine as a presenter to share the work of these lived experience co-authors at the 2023 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.

SEVEN LIVED EXPERIENCE STORIES of making meaning using art therapy