About Art Therapy & FAQ

Currently, Medicare mental health plans don’t cover counsellors, psychotherapists, or creative therapists. However, we offer concession rates for those in need, making our services more affordable and accessible. Some clients find this concession rate comparable to the out-of-pocket costs they would still pay after receiving Medicare rebates with a psychologist. ​

Absolutely! We’ve been a registered NDIS provider since 2019. Our director and lead Art Therapist, Alana, has extensive experience working with the disability community since 2012 and has close family members who are NDIS users. We offer robust support in achieving your goals, NDIS report writing, and collaborating within NDIS teams. If you need a quote for your upcoming plan review, please reach out to us.

Yes, we regularly work with self-funded clients (paying with their own money), as well as those supported by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), and family services assisting individuals impacted by family violence. We can also provide quotes to individuals or case workers seeking funding through family services and government departments.

Our therapists bring a wealth of experience and skills in supporting clients across different age groups. Our practice specialises in working with neurodivergent and disabled individuals, especially those with past experiences of trauma. We work with a diverse range of clients who may have needs relating to: • Depression and anxiety • Trauma, complex trauma, and PTSD • Psychosocial disability • Chronic Illness - including experience with supporting severe CFS/ME • Self-harm • Autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences • Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) profile • Past experiences of family violence, sexual assault, and/or childhood trauma • Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) challenges • Intellectual disability • Relationship and attachment challenges • Grief and loss • Life transitions and adjustment difficulties • Identity needs • Childhood issues and child-focused parenting support • Adolescent mental health • Adult and older-adult mental health

Each session lasts 1 hour. Some clients may occasionally request longer sessions, which can be arranged at an additional cost.

We offer short meet-and-greets if you’d like to learn more or get a sense of your therapist. Before starting, we require a completed intake form for the client. To request an intake form, please use the contact form. For child clients, the first session is with a parent or caregiver alone to assess needs and goals for therapy. Family violence case managers must also provide a copy of the MARAM with the intake form.

Yes, Evie, our therapy dog, is available for clients working with Alana Stewart at Yellow Gum Art Therapy Studio from Tuesday to Thursday. While availability is limited, all our Art Therapists are skilled in providing the support you need. Evie offers comfort and emotional support during sessions, responding gently to each person's needs. She provides connection through cuddles and pats or simply rests nearby as a calm presence. When the focus is on creative work or conversation, Evie quietly settles on her chair or bed, ready to re-engage when needed.