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 similar tools to Art Teacher Barbie. Some folks are excited, others are concerned about how she represents our profession (or doesn’t).
DOES ART THERAPIST BARBIE REPRESENT YOU?
The existence of Art Therapist Barbie either stirs enthusiasm, or the frustration we experience when meeting limited understandings of our profession. Collectively we feel the struggle to clearly convey what art therapy is, and how it supports clients in our particular settings. Does this Barbie represent art therapists who work with elders, or in hospitals, or in group settings? Do you feel this Barbie represents bipoc, queer, neurodiverse, and/or disabled art therapists? Importantly, does Art Therapist Barbie represent you?
Whether you are an Art Therapist Barbie fan or not, you are invited to this experiential workshop where we’ll work with re-purposed Barbies to explore and express our own art therapy identity. We’ll look at the shared and unique applications of art therapy across our settings. We’ll create statements of identity to proudly declare ourselves.
In keeping with the Creative Mental Health Forum’s commitment to sustainability, we have sourced a supply of second-hand Barbie or similar dolls to work with, and we have plenty for you to use. If you have your own that you are keen to alter feel welcome to bring it along of course! We’ll provide bits and pieces to support you in your making.
About Michelle
Michelle Morgan is a registered arts therapist, supervisor, multi-modal creative, and spiritual care practitioner, working in acute hospital and private practice settings.
She has exhibited visual, textile, and sculptural art, toured as a musician, published poetry and writing, and recorded and released original music. She published the ‘Creative Soul Mandala Oracle’, a tool for creatives and therapists in 2021.
Michelle has worked creatively with older people, children, and adults as a creative facilitator and community singing leader. She brings a trauma-informed approach to individual and group work, and deeply values spaciousness and gentleness, allowing each person’s unique process to unfold in its own time. Her practice is informed by her lived experience of endometriosis and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
www.cocooncreativeartstherapies.com.au
About Alana
Alana Stewart is a registered art therapist, a certified forest therapy guide, and an emerging supervisor. She practices in a private setting, assisted by Evie, her therapy dog.
Before transitioning into her role as a therapist, Alana engaged in support work for individuals with disabilities, youth in out of home care, and supported housing for those with psychosocial disabilities.
Openly identifying as neurodivergent, coupled with an upbringing by parents living with disabilities, this deeply motivates her to provide creative, trauma-informed and neuroaffirming therapy to the disability community.
Practice name: Finding Wellbeing Art Therapy & Counselling
Space name: Yellow Gum Art Therapy Studio
In May 2024, Michelle and Alana team up to bring you this playful opportunity to craft identity.
We are thrilled to welcome Michelle and Alana as facilitators at the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
The documentary of last year's event provides a glimpse into what it means to participate in the Creative Mental Health Forum:
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,
connect with like minded practitioners,
and “refill your well” with time in a beautiful nurturing environment and space for self care.
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