“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
#mentalhealth
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
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
BOOK LAUNCH: Kim Billington’s “A Counsellor’s Companion: Creative Adventures for Child Counsellors, Parents and Teachers” with illustrations by Tamar Dolev.
I am delighted to be opening speaker at the launch of “A Counsellor’s Companion: Creative Adventures for Child Counsellors, Parents and Teachers”. The book is a wonderfully accessible treasure chest that combines narrative and arts based approaches to working with … Read More
2021 Creative Mental Health Forum brings 60 Arts Therapists to Boon Wurrung country, South Gippsland, Australia
Sixty Creative Arts Therapists from all over Victoria and interstate gathered on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung People in Inverloch for the first Australian summit of its kind from 14th – 17th May 2021. “We want more people … Read More
6 Months of Activism – Highlights of the ACTivate Arts Therapy Campaign
The ACTivate Arts Therapy campaign began when numbers of experienced and well qualified Arts Therapists were told they could not apply for the new ‘Mental Health Practitioner in Schools’ positions because their profession is not listed in the 2014 Victorian … Read More
Prof. Patrick McGorry urges Government: “Activate Arts Therapy”.
I respectfully urge the Victorian government to expand its definition of “Mental Health Practitioner” to include “Professional Arts Therapists”. Prof Patrick McGorry Prof. Patrick McGorry is Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and Director of Orygen … Read More
Brodie Caporn, Melbourne Musician and Professional Arts Therapist in training.
Brodie gifts us a theme song for this campaign! “I’d like to see, Arts Therapy”. AND she tells us why this campaign is so important for the health and well being of Victoria’s children, with a personal plea to the … Read More
Debbie – lived experience of Arts Therapy for recovery.
Debbie shares from her lived experience how Arts Therapy has been an important part of her recovery from serious mental distress, and is an ongoing integral part of her mental health care. She advocates for including Arts Therapists as Mental … Read More
Dayne Beams, AFL Footballer, explains how Arts Therapy has been a game changer in his own mental health
“Arts Therapy showed me that I can use the arts to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions, to help me feel calm and productive, and to strengthen my personal relationships” Dayne Beams Dayne speaks out in support of the current … Read More
Chris Petrie, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Chris shares how he witnesses increased self-esteem and enhanced relationships in his work as a Professional Arts Therapist with NDIS participants. As a former art teacher, he explains some of the differences between an art class and arts therapy. He … Read More
Svetlana Bykovec, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Svet tells us about her work as an Arts Therapist with CATA, highlighting the adaptability of arts therapy and the power of the arts to engage when working with young people. She explains how CATA is currently offering FREE online … Read More
Eric Zhang, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Eric describes how Arts Therapy can support student well-being in schools and shares a message of hope for young people who might be going through a hard time at the moment. Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
“Chill Skills”, anxiety prevention program in secondary schools. A Mental Health initiative by a Professional Arts Therapist.
Sign and share the ART THERAPIST = MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems experienced by young people. In Australia, anxiety disorders are estimated to affect about one in every 10 young … Read More
Katishe Grudnoff AThR, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Katishe shares about the many therapeutic contexts she has worked as a Mental Health Practitioner. She highlights her work with young people and how, as the mother of a child in a public school she wants the option of arts … Read More
Gayle King AThR, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Gayle King AThR describes how Arts Therapy is especially relevant in a school setting working with young people who have experienced trauma. Sign the Art Therapist = Mental Health Practitioner petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
Pearl Taylor AThR, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner
Pearl describes how she came to Arts Therapy after being a school art teacher and witnessing the impact engagement in the arts has on the mental health and well-being of students. She shares how she uses arts therapeutic approaches in … Read More
Dr Alisoun Neville, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Dr Alisoun talks about her work providing arts therapy with NDIS participants experiencing mental health issues. She highlights how arts therapy is an adaptable approach that makes mental health care a personalised experience, with an emphasis on individual choice and … Read More
Su Mei Tan AThR, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Su tells us about her arts therapeutic approach and its benefits, including reduced anxiety and increased relaxation. She explains why it is so important to support the ARTS THERAPIST = MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER campaign. Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/arts-therapist-mental-health-practitioner
Maya Fraser, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
Maya Fraser AThR talks about her work in the regional Victorian La Trobe Community Health Services, the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) and with NDIS clients, describing how Art Therapy is particularly valued by the community yet she has persistently … Read More
Karryne Hearn, Professional Arts Therapist and Mental Health Practitioner.
In this video Karryne tells us about her work as a Professional Arts Therapist in Ballarat and why the Art Therapist = Mental Health Practitioner campaign is so important. The following role descriptions provide examples of Karryne’s experience working in … Read More
Dr Carla van Laar MCAT DTAP AThR – Mental Health Practitioner
Here are some examples of my positions working within organisations as a Mental Health Practitioner: Principal Therapist, VincentCare Young Adults Counselling Service 2016 – 2018 Generate referrals liaising with key stakeholders who are housing service providers Provide individual therapy for … Read More