Arts, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing The Australia Council for The Arts recently hosted a program to develop a policy paper focusing on Arts, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing. I was privileged to participate in the workshops. Participants were invited to share … Read More
#creativementalhealth
“DRAMATIC PLAY” – with Performing Artists Sarah Culy and Henry de Oleveira at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
In our creative work devising theatre, the group engages in a process we call ‘crossing the threshold.’ It is a way of leaving the dust of the day at the door and committing openly and whole-heartedly to the group, the … Read More
“INNER WORK FOR THE WORKER” – Miranda Madgwick of PACFA’s College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices joins the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Inner Work for the Worker Inner Work is process of understanding yourself, the environment around you and the elements that have shaped your life. Then working them into a strength that you can use in your day to day life. … Read More
“PLAYFUL SPACES: Creative Arts Therapy in Schools” – with Gerry Katz PhD, Melissa Nelson-Campbell and Dr Carla van Laar at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Possibilities are opening up for creative arts therapists to work with kids in school communities. In this workshop, we invite the exploration of: possibilities for how we respond, recognising what we bring, connecting our work with our values. We share … Read More
“CONNECTING WITH NATURE” – Alana Stewart combines Nature-Based and Expressive Arts Therapies at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Alana presents a self care experiential using nature-based expressive arts therapy. Alana will guide you through a process of exploring your senses and connecting to yourself through nature. Alana Stewart is an Art Therapist and Counsellor working in private practice. … Read More
PROGRAM – 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
We pay our respects to the Boon Wurrung People, the Traditional Owners of this place in which we meet. We honour them, their elders and their ancestors. We thank them for Welcoming us here to this meeting place in their … Read More
Relaxing Sound Bath – with NICKY DE GRUCHY at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Reset your vibration with a healing sound bath at this year’s Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. Relaxing Sound Bath In a relaxing sound bath therapeutic session, you are invited to immerse yourself in the magic of sound. … Read More
New publication: “ART THERAPY FIRST AID – Growing Capacity with Art Therapists in Communities Affected by Australian Bushfires”.
Art Therapy in Response to Natural Disasters, Mass Violence and Crisis is a new Jessica Kingsely publication edited by Joseph Scarce. I am honoured to be one of the authors in this wonderful new book. … … Editor Joseph Scarce has … Read More
FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVE WELLBEING – online course with Dr Carla van Laar
Watch the overview OPENING SPECIAL 67% DISCOUNT – THE FULL COURSE FOR ONLY $99 PURCHASE NOW – CLICK HERE What to expect from this refreshing new course by leading Art Therapist Dr Carla van Laar? … This highly experiential course … Read More
The Hero’s Journey goes Bollywood!! – with Anjali Sengupta at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
The Hero’s Journey meets Bollywood dance in this unique, multi-modal, expressive arts workshop based on the work of Joseph Campbell and Anjali’s own explorations of the psycho-technologies of Bollywood dance, music and performance arts as portals that allow us to … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 2 “Seeing Differently – Noticing Change””
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share a personal story about how what we see can change, and then I invite you to reflect on how you have changed since you … Read More
“SONGWRITING FOR THE SOUL” – With Singer/Songwriter and Creative Arts Therapist Brodie Caporn at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat.
Songwriting for the Soul Workshop Brodie Caporn brings her gift for collaborative music making to the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat: an invitation to join a group songwriting workshop that culminates in a co-created composition, … Read More
Dr. Raj Ramanathapillai and Dr. Lisa (O’Beirne) Moseley – “RESPONDING TO DRAWN IMAGES OF WAR” at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Responding to Drawn Images of War: A Trauma-informed discussion. Dr. Raj Ramanathapillai and Dr. Lisa (O’Beirne) Moseley are counsellor-advocates with survivors of torture and war trauma with Foundation House, one of Australia’s eight states/territories affiliated FASSTT NFP organisations. In this … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 1 “Materials and moving – my choices today”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce some ideas about change as an inevitable part of life, and invite you to observe the changes and choices you make through exploring an … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 3 “Making a creative space”
With Dr Carla van Laar MCAT DThAP Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of the research into creative spaces, and invite you to make a creative space for yourself, a space to continue your … Read More
HEALING THE TRAUMATISED SPIRIT THROUGH CREATIVE EXPERIENCE – Michael Burge OAM, Keynote Presenter at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
“Experiential methods with the power of spontaneity and creativity, such as psychodrama, can help the traumatized client develop better relationships with the self, rediscover lost roles and reconnect with humanity’ – Michael Burge OAM … The 2022 Creative Mental … Read More
Daring Mel Knight brings DR SKETCHY’S ANTI-ART SCHOOL to the Welcome Dinner 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Tired of lifeless life drawing classes? Fancy a scribble but not sure where to start? Suffering creative inertia and looking to stoke your lost muse? … Dr Sketchy’s is the world’s premier alternative life … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 2 “Notice what Nurtures”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share about my own personal process of painting from life, and invite you to notice what nurtures you in the environment, and to slow … Read More
KIM BILLINGTON – “Stories of Transformation” at the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Narratively inspired author of “A Counsellor’s Companion” and “Counselling Conversations”, Kim Billington, joins the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat to share an experiential folk tale work shop. … … STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION: DREAMING OFF INTO … Read More
“MATERNAL HOLDING” – Dr Ariel Moy contributes new understandings through Arts Based Research findings
“the creative exploration of holding is a simple, everyday way of accessing significant relational stories, purpose and loving connection or what I call, the mother/child ‘us’” … I was delighted last year when Routledge Publishers invited me to review a … Read More
CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH – FILM LAUNCH
“2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat” is a twelve minute documentary filmed on location in Boon Wurrung Country, South Eastern Victoria, at the event of the same name. This short film features footage and interviews … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 1 “See a Rainbow”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of my research into how the environments that we live and work in affect us – or our contexts – and I invite … Read More
Victorian State Government agrees to fund Arts Therapy in schools – success for the ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign.
Following the announcement of the new State budget on 20th May, Acting Premier James Merlino announced on breakfast radio that the State Government will be creating a new $200,000 fund to support extra mental health initiatives in schools. He stated … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 3 – Mapping the Territory of your Body
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit: Carla van Laar In this article, I share a description of my personal experience of art making to highlight the inter-relationship between art making and sensory awareness. I then invite you … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 3 “Creative Integration – The Big Picture”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article, I invite you to reflect on your journey of self care, and create a “big picture” of you in your life, surrounded by the things … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 2 “Knowing yourself and what enhances your life”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Image credits Carla van Laar In this article, I introduce some of the ways that “life enhancement” has been understood and written about in art therapy literature, and what I discovered about “life enhancement” … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 1, “Reviewing your Journey of Creative Self Care”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some stories from my Doctoral research that illustrate how we reflected on our creative journeys together, and the ways that these were life … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 3 “Mindful making in relationship”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share an extract form my Doctoral research that illustrates how art helps us to connect with our own values and strengths, and that this … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 2 “Creating a Response”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of my findings about how art can facilitate feelings of deep connection, I then invite you to find an artwork that reaches … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 1 “Connecting through art”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce the themes of relationship, connection and co-creation as I investigated them in my Doctoral research. I invite you to engage in a “Self-Collage” … Read More