Welcome,

My name is Alana and I am a Registered Art Therapist with ANZACATA (professional level) and registered NDIS provider (Therapy Supports: Art Therapist).

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I am a professional therapist with lived experience of neurodivergence and personal connection to disability, mental ill health and autism through my close family relations. My personal interests are: trying new crafts, learning pottery, adventures in nature, animals, learning about social sciences and learning about neurodivergence.

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I value being a non-judgmental, curious and an open-minded person. I strive to be anti-sexist, anti-ablest, anti-racist, anti-oppression and anti-stigma. Informed by personal and professional lived experience, I feel passionately about upholding the values of the social model of disability, trauma awareness/trauma-informed approach and the neurodiversity paradigm. I work with a neuro-affirming, gender-affirming, sex-positive and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapeutic approach. I welcome those of all gender identities, sexual and relationship orientations, faith groups, races, ethnicities, cultural groups and people of all walks of life.

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My journey towards becoming a therapist began in my late adolescence to early adulthood after experiencing personal healing and growth through creative expression and the arts myself. I became deeply interested in learning about psychology and expressing through my favorite art forms. Through these interests I came to train as an Art Therapist and have dedicated myself to a continual learning journey about trauma, mental health, neurodiversity, psychotherapy and creative methods for healing. This has enabled me to do what I truly enjoy, supporting other community members from all walks of life with their mental health and healing journeys. 

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My therapeutic approach is grounded in humanistic and person-centered counselling and psychotherapy with a primary focus on trauma and/or mental health recovery and personal empowerment. I encourage self-expression through image/art making and other creativity for self-exploration, self-discovery, and deeper learning about self. I listen with patience, respect and honor my clients lived experience.

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Experience

• *Past work experience - disability & community services field, since 2012 (read more below)

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Psychology degree with minor in visual art - ACU, completed 2015 

• Masters of Art Therapy - within School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, completed 2018

• Registered Art Therapist (AThR) - Professional Member of ANZACATA since 2018 

• Started Private Practice - Finding Wellbeing Art Therapy & Counselling, May 2019

• Registered NDIS Provider - Therapy Supports: Art Therapist since 2019

• Studio Director - Yellow Gum Art Therapy Studio, officially opened Jan 2022

• Certified Forest Therapy Guide - Member & Certified Guide: International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance. since 2023

 

*Prior to becoming an Art Therapist, Alana holds a long work history in community and disability services since 2012. She first worked as a disability support worker for several years then moved into youth community support work with children and adolescents in out of home care impacted by trauma. In 2019 she worked as a mental health practitioner with Mind Australia with NDIS participants impacted by psychosocial disability before becoming an NDIS provider herself and starting her private practice.

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Alana's Art Therapy masters training also included working as a student therapist at the Alfred Hospital in psychiatric inpatient ward and for Mind Australia in a subclinical Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC). 

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