Creative Mental Health Forum 2021
We pay our deep respects to the First Peoples of Boon Wurrung Country where we will meet.
CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AND SELF CARE RETREAT
Friday 14th – Monday 17th May 2021
Inverloch RACV Resort, Bass Coast, Victoria.
This training event is proudly endorsed by PACFA for 11 hours of continuing professional development.
The Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat supports the goals of the ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign in
showcasing how the Creative Arts Therapies are holistic, person centred, inclusive and value lived experience.
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.
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.
The Creative Mental Health Forum and Self-care Retreat includes:
Cultural awareness, welcome dinner and keynote
Creative Mental Health workshops and presentations
Participation in wellness practices including mindfulness, dance, swimming, nature walks, surfing and paddle boarding
Time to relax, explore and connect with your friends and colleagues
Exhibition of Creative Mental Health projects
“Decolonising Therapy” lived experience experts panel discussion on the future of Creative Mental Health in Australia.
We will keep updating this page as more details are confirmed.
RHYTHM IN FLOW with Jodie Rahda Lynch
Rhythm in Flow - Dance Meditation Dancing is a way of knowing ourselves beyond the physical. Dancing is a way of processing what is stored in the body Dancing
CRAFTING IDENTITY – A BARBIE ART THERAPY WORKSHOP with Michelle Morgan and Alana Stewart
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
TEXTURAL TRUENESS: LIVED AND LIVING EXPERIENCE with Bree Till
Textural Trueness: Authenticity, Preservation and Permeable Boundaries of Lived and Living Experiences as Sustainable Resources to Support Diverse Populations. Bree Till is a carer and art therapist with training
ART THERAPY IN POST-CONFLICT RECONCILIATION AND DETAINEE REHABILITATION with Chanudi Wickramasinha
Exploring the Role of Art Therapy in Post-Conflict Reconciliation and Detainee Rehabilitation Art Therapist, Chanudi Wickramasinha is joining us in May 2024 to share learnings from her fascinating work
Jorja Elizabeth – empowering children’s creativity
Introducing Jorja Hello Parents! Are you looking for a fun and creative way to engage your children in meaningful activities? My name is Jorja, and I'm here to guide your
GOOD OLD TAVERN CHOIR with Tania Balil
Join Tania for an Afternoon of Active Music Making and Group Performance Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are delighted to be joined by Tania Balilmusician and
Henry De Oleveira – Actor and Theatre Maker
Introducing Henry Meet Henry De Oleveira, a dedicated actor and theatremaker based in Naarm / Melbourne. He graduated from Federation University's Arts Academy in 2021 with a Bachelor of Performing
ADAPTABLE DRAMA FOR ARTS THERAPY with Steve Wiegerink & Rebecca Vandyk-Hamilton
"The Magic If" - What if a drama teacher and arts and health practitioner joined forces to co-create together? Meet Steve Wiegerink and Rebecca Vandyk-Hamilton Rebecca and Steve
Nicky De Gruchy – Musician, Artist, Voice Sound Therapist
Introducing Nicky Meet Nicky De Gruchy, an artist, musician and sound therapist who draws inspiration from nature for her creativity and healing. With over thirty years of experience in teaching
STRENGTHENING THE VESSEL with Ann Soo Lawrence
Strengthening the Vessel in the Ebb and Flow: Creative approaches in working with refugees and asylum seeker experiences. Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are delighted to
Jess Edwards – Nature Based Health and Wellbeing
Introducing Jess Jess Edwards (she/her) is a social worker and nature therapist. Jess is the founder and therapist at Flourish: Health and Wellbeing in Nature. She is also currently studying a Diploma in Creative Arts and
Martine Zajacek – Designer and Collage Artist
Artist's Statement I specialize in creating collages using antique and vintage papers, as well as found ephemera, which significantly influence my work. The patina and texture of these materials, often
Ricci McAuliffe – Paintings from Nature
Artist's Statement While life initially had its own intentions for her, Ricci McAuliffe painted herself into the visual arts corner in 2019. Living between Inverloch and the Yarra Valley since
Samantha Brick – Occupational Therapist, Kinesiologist and Energy Practitioner
Facilitator Bio Samantha Brick is an independent Occupational Therapist who lives and works in the coastal town of Inverloch. She has a holistic approach to her work, which involves using
Melissa McDevitt Weston – Contemporary First Nations Artist
Artist’s Statement Cultural understandings inform me, as a Traditional Owner, that my ancestors lived along the waterways and I continue to occupy these areas through spirit. This knowledge is substantiated by
Casey Sweetman – First Nations Artist
Artist’s Statement Hi, my name is Casey Sweetman (Weston), I am a Boon Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman living here on county. I’m a contemporary artist and have been creating
Renee Sweetman – Boon Wurrung Singer and Songwriter, Songwoman.
Artist’s BiographyRenee Sweetman is a proud Boon Wurrung & Yorta Yorta woman living in the Bass Coast.She is a singer/songwriter and has performed at major events including the Blaktivism concerts
Jasmine Susic – contemporary dancer – improvisation, installation performance and dance theatre.
Artist’s BiographyJasmine Susic is a Bass Coast based contemporary dancer with an interest in improvisation, installation performance and dance theatre.Feature image credit: Tyson ButlerDance images credit: Karli Michelle Jasmine
Dr Carla van Laar – Artist and Creative Arts Therapist
Artist’s Statement I pay my respects to the Boon Wurrung People, on whose traditional lands this exhibition takes place. I honour them, their elders and ancestors. They have inhabited, cared
Jeremy Grace – Juggler and Magician.
Artist’s BiographyJeremy has been entertaining Australians for the last 35 years as a juggler, magician, singer, dancer and compère. Performing in public spaces, private functions, theatre restaurants, tropical islands and entertainment
Kim McDonald – Visual and Performing Artist, Experimenter
Feature image photo credit: Karli MichelleArtist’s StatementKim is a practicing interdisciplinary artist with a background in printmaking, drawing and performance. Working across disciplines her art practice is experiential and experimental