What is Art Therapy?
Imagine finding answers
Art therapy is powerful yet gentle. Creating your feelings and emotions in 2D or 3D using colour, shape, symbols or scenes provides a voice to your thoughts without using words.
Imagine finding joy
Our focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. We achieve this by providing a safe space, supporting you to create what you need to see
Imagine finding you
Art therapy is safe and confidential and your therapist is with you every step of your journey. Our goal is to help you move forward to where you want to be in your life.
Self-Managing Your NDIS Plan?
Art Therapy in your plan
Art Therapy is now accepted as part of the NDIS. This means you can access this wonderful therapy.
Benefits of self-managing
You have the choice and control over what support you want, who you want and how it meets your plan goals.
How does this work?
See this link for more information https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management
Reflection...
Strength does not come from physical capacity - it comes from indomitable will...
Mahatma Gandhi
How does Art Therapy work?
No art experience needed
- Your Art Therapist will guide you in how to use the art materials so experience in art-making is not necessary.
- The right side of our brain - the creative side is activated through processes that express emotions and memories.
Creating artwork that 'speaks'
- Using various art materials and paper or 3D materials like clay or plasticine, the client creates what feelings and thoughts are inside and expresses them on the outside.
- Creating art helps to understand issues when words cannot be found or are not enough.
Safe and Confidential
- Safety and confidentiality is paramount during the art therapy process so a qualified Art Therapist has the knowledge and skills to support clients in the environment be it a group or individual session.
- All artwork created belongs to the client.
Home Care Packages Can Include Art Therapy
Art Therapy in the comfort of your own home!
This link below can help you sign up for a Home Care Package and then you will be on your way to organise what services you would like in your home including Art Therapy.
"A home care package is a coordinated package of care and services to help you to live independently in your own home for as long as you can."
The benefit of a home care package is that your home care provider will work with you to:
- choose care and services that best meet your needs and goals
- manage your care and services.
See link below for more information
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/home-care-packages/about-home-care-packages
What can Art Therapy help?
Stress, Depression & Anxiety
Stress, depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Art therapy gently helps to uncover the reasons behind the emotions and helps ways to find answers, kick-start motivation, regain perspective, and feel joy.
Trauma & PTSD
Children and adults can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. Using art therapy in a safe environment, we can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of healing and finding peace.
'Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist'
Eileen Miller
Other areas art therapy can help
Problems at school?
Learning challenges, poor concentration, Autism spectrum disorder and many other issues all have something in common - difficulty in communicating and expressing oneself. In art therapy, this difficulty is explored and can be overcome through creative expression with the Art Therapist's guidance. Would you like your child or class to experience art therapy at school or home? Contact us for more information or ask your school to call us.
Other anxiety types-what type?
Social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, can be helped with art therapy. Whilst art therapy does not diagnose, it can uncover what may be happening and why. With consent, referrals can be made to other professionals to provide whole person support.
Memory problems or Dementia?
Art therapy is being used in many aged care facilities with wonderful results. Dementia and other brain related issues all have something in common - communication problems. Art therapy bridges the gap as no words are necessary. Would you like your family member to experience art therapy in an aged care facility? Contact us for more information
Working through a problem or finding a goal?
Art therapy helps you to find solutions in a safe and gentle yet powerful way. We already know the answers within ourselves but forget how to find that answer. Art therapy helps us to re-remember.
Individual sessions or small group classes?
Individual art therapy sessions are normally between 60 and 90 minutes and you will experience personal support and incredible insight into your creations.
Group sessions are usually around 2 hours with a maximum of 8 in the group. Your Art Therapist will guide you through various techniques and processes in a safe and confidential environment.
Call or email
Art Therapy never judges
FAQ's
What can Art Therapy help with?
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- and many more
Is Art Therapy a recognised modality?
Yes.
Art Therapy is a well-known specialised non-verbal therapy for all age groups
Do you have to like art or be an artist?
Not at all.
Your Art Therapist guides you in how to use various art materials in the session
More FAQ's
How long is a session?
1 hour is usual time for adults.
Usually less for children depending on age.
Is there a rebate?
Unfortunately no medicare rebates are available hence the low cost fee per session
What happens to the artwork?
All artwork belongs to the client so they can it keep at home
Our Art Therapist Debra
Some background
Debra has over 30 years experience in the health industry. Her background in nursing gave her insight into the importance of looking after the whole self – physical, mental, emotional & spiritual.
Current work
Discovering Art Therapy was an incredible opportunity to focus on good health. Debra pursued this specialised non-verbal therapy and as a qualified Art Therapist, is sharing her knowledge and wisdom to continue supporting others on their wellness journey.
Debra is currently working with:
- NDIS clients (self & plan managed)
- BlueCare clients
- Home Care Package residents in retirement villages
- DVA personnel
- Private consultations
- Volunteer for Wesley Mission, Anam Cara in Bray Park
- Volunteer & sessional work for Encircle, Redcliffe (2017-8)
- Volunteer work for Kairos College (2018)
(Further training in Sensorimotor Art Therapy)
(Debra pictured working on a community mural for Encircle, Redcliffe)