“Healing is grounded in our cultural identities and connections and builds on our strengths and resilience”
Michelle Smith RN
Michelle is a true community worker. For over 30 years she has worked consistently in Aboriginal programs through the arts and health. We are very happy that Michelle is joining the Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat as a presenter to share about her work.
PEACE MAKERS AND WARRIORS
“The profound need for healing and recovery in Aboriginal communities is undisputed.
Healing through art therapy is generally not well understood and is often aligned with valuable community art programs that promote cultural arts, identity and connection.
I am developing and adapting art therapy processes to Aboriginal world views so that Aboriginal participants are comfortable and find art therapy activities more meaningful. I use cultural models and other theories to inform my practice. I am working to establish art therapy initiatives in local Aboriginal communities.
Healing is grounded in our cultural identities and connections and builds on our strengths and resilience.”
ABOUT MICHELLE
Michelle is a Pallawah woman living in east Gippsland. She is a Registered Nurse and studying Masters Art of Therapy at LaTrobe University. Michelle has a long work history in Aboriginal programs in community arts, health, social and emotional wellbeing including family violence and mental health.
During the 1990’s Michelle was one of the founding members of the Koori Arts Collective Ltd. Highlights included Yalukit Willam exhibition – Fringe Festival and Iramoo Zone – Brunswick Music Festival.
Her practice focuses on Aboriginal approaches to art therapy, trauma, cultural regeneration and healing. She is currently piloting Warriors and Peacemakers art therapy workshops in Aboriginal community.
We look forward to learning more from Michelle at the forum/retreat.
We pay our deep respects to the First Peoples of Boon Wurrung Country where we will meet.
Friday 14th – Monday 17th May 2021
Inverloch RACV Resort, Bass Coast, Victoria
Your host, Dr Carla van Laar is a Professional Member and Accredited Supervisor with ANZACATA.
This training event is proudly endorsed by PACFA for 11 hours of continuing professional development.
We welcome Professor Anne (Dan) Harris, Director of Creative Agency Research Lab, ARC Future Fellow, Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, School of Education, RMIT University.
Profits from this forum/retreat will be donated to support CATA’s work employing qualified Arts Therapists to work with families of children receiving end of life care.
$600 registration fee covers core program, Friday night Welcome Dinner, morning and afternoon teas, and is payable in 3 instalments.
Registration does not include accomodation or meals other than the Welcome Dinner.
The core program includes Welcome Dinner, morning mindful activities, 6 x keynote presentations, 6 x 1.5 hour experiential workshops and a number of optional wellness activities for self-care including dance, art making, swimming and walking. Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Snorkelling are available as optional add ons at affordable prices.
This forum supports the goals of the ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign – to have Arts Therapists recognised as mental health professionals.For this purpose, the forum is designed to be educational in an experiential sense – by providing opportunities to participate first hand in creative and holistic workshops and activities, as well as hear from dynamic keynote presenters and a panel of lived experience experts.
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.
The 2021 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.
This Professional Development event is suitable for Creative Arts Therapists, Psychotherapists, Health and Allied Health Professionals, Educators and Caring Professionals who are interested in understanding more about creative approaches in mental health care.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AND SELF CARE RETREAT
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