Svetlana Bykovec: Nature and Replenishing the “Well”

Svetlana Bykovec AThR joins us as a facilitator at the 2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. She shares:

“I am lead Art Therapist for Creative Art Therapy Australia (CATA), managing and supervising a team of qualified Art Therapists as well as researching, creating and implementing Art Therapy programs across Victoria. CATA supports diverse populations with a variety of needs, so I have experience in working with youth at risk, aged care, disability sector, schools, outreach, hospitals and corporate. Some of my most sacred work is with children who are end of life and their families.

I aspire to create a safe therapeutic space that cultivates growth, empathic witnessing and unconditional positive regard. Where through creative exploration, all vulnerabilities are welcomed, accepted and given the opportunity to be expressed. My approach is based on the positive psychology of Person-Centred, Humanistic and Transpersonal therapies. I am passionate about the healing potential of Art Therapy and absolutely love my job at CATA”.

We are delighted to have Svetlana helping to open the weekend with an experiential process. Then, Svett is joined by CATA EO and Founder Caroline Liuzzi, to share some of the significant work and learnings from CATA’s COVID response work offering art therapy online.

Awakening a sense of belonging – Nature and replenishing the well.

An experiential, spontaneous and organic creative expression of the wellness retreat.

How does your relationship to Earth inform your creative/professional work?

Svetlana brings a deep connection with the practice of eco art therapy; deriving meaning from Nature and art. She often utilises what is around us as a way for people to inquire and move towards a greater wholeness and to tap into natural wisdom.

This workshop is an invitation to a creative, evolving journey for deeper connection with your natural self over this weekend and to replenish the well so that you are better able to support others.

The voice of Nature’s wisdom is within and around us. Discover moments where Earth teaches us, and use art to access Nature’s restorative powers for healing.

COVID-19 response to Art Therapy Services –

a Not For Profit perspective

CATA founder, Caroline Liuzzi joins with Svetlana Bykovec to openly discuss and share the learnings and new ways of working with clients that manifested during COVID-19.

They illustrate how CATA not only survived the lock down, but thrived with a renewed energy. They will share lived experiences of how they transitioned and guidelines they developed for online services.

Art Therapy can and does work online!

About Caroline

Caroline has dedicated her working life to broadening Mental Health Care in the realm of Creative Art Therapy in Australia.  As founder of Creative Art Therapy Australia (CATA), she works to ensure that its ethos and integrity are built on delivering highest industry practice to people unable to move forward from trauma or adverse experiences in their lives.  

CATA’s service delivery is guided by a deep understanding of its history, principles, practice and true potential.  As the passionate, courageous and effective champion of Creative Art Therapy in Australia, CATA delivers person centred Creative Arts Therapies for people of all ages.

Caroline wears many hats to lead her teams through business and strategic plans, research and innovation, collaboration with organisations that are aligned to mission and vision of CATA, establishing and building ecosystems in partnerships and ensuring industry compliance is met in all sectors including education, disability, aged care and industry peak bodies. CATA’s teams include Board Members, Placement Students, Volunteers, Qualified Arts Therapists and Staff. 

Caroline prides herself on CATA’s culture that is all inclusive, embracing of diversity and all community sectors.

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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.

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 Therapists  interested in understanding more about creative approaches in mental health care.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH FORUM AND SELF CARE RETREAT