About Art Therapy

Art Therapy is an evidence-based mental health therapy that combines the studies of the arts, psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. It uses art materials and creativity to help people explore, express, communicate, and understand their emotions, supporting them as they work through personal challenges to gain better mental health and wellbeing.

A Registered Art Therapist (AThR) is a Master’s-trained mental health professional who is registered with ANZACATA (the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association), the peak professional body for Creative Arts Therapists in Australia. Increasingly, many Arts Therapists are also becoming registered as Creative and Experiential Therapists with the College of Creative and Experiential Therapies (C.CET) within PACFA, Australia’s leading body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Arts Therapists support individuals experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, illness, disability, and life stressors. Therapy may include the use of art-making processes alongside therapeutic conversation. No artistic skill or experience is required.

Art Therapy is suitable for people of all ages, abilities and levels of experience. You do not need to be artistic or have any art skills to take part.Art Therapy can also suit people who want to explore experiences in a deeper, more experiential way using images, symbols, movement, sound, sensory materials and art-making alongside conversation.Because Art Therapy does not rely only on talking, it can be especially accessible for people who are neurodivergent, disabled, use alternative communication, find it difficult to put feelings into words, or simply prefer a more creative way of engaging in therapy.

Every session is tailored to your unique needs to support your mental health goals. Art Therapy combines art-making, counselling, and psychotherapy, recognising that each person processes differently. As Masters-trained Art Therapists, we can guide you in safely exploring and expressing yourself. You can create art or simply talk about what’s important to you. Ultimately, we are here to support and respond to your needs.

Absolutely not! Many clients have little to no prior experience with art but find great value in Art Therapy. This process isn’t about creating art to display; it’s about using creative methods to express, communicate, self-discover, and connect with your body and senses. Your skill level with art materials is never a barrier to experiencing the benefits of Art Therapy.

For in-person sessions, we provide all necessary art and craft materials, including paints, pencils, pastels, markers, paper, clay, and more. You’re welcome to bring any personal items that may support your therapy. For online sessions, we can guide you on basic art materials to choose, but often just paper and pens are enough to engage in art-based self-expression. No need to buy extra supplies; we work with whatever you have on hand.

Both Art Therapy and Counselling provide a supportive therapeutic relationship, but they differ in what is at the centre of the session. In Counselling, conversation is usually the main focus. Clients talk through experiences, emotions, relationships and challenges with the therapist. At Finding Wellbeing, our counselling space at Yellow Gum Art Therapy studio also offers creative materials that can also be used during counselling if this helps someone feel more relaxed, focused or able to reflect. In Art Therapy, creative processes and art-making have a more central role in the therapy. Art can provide another way to explore and express emotions, experiences, identity and relationships, particularly when words feel difficult or limiting. Art Therapy may also include conversation, play and reflection. Some people prefer mostly talking, some prefer mostly creating, and others move between both. We can help you choose an approach that best suits your needs and preferred way of engaging.

Trauma-informed Art Therapists understands that experiences of trauma can affect the nervous system, emotions, relationships, sense of safety and the way a person responds to stress. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we consider what has happened to the person, what they have needed to do to cope, and what helps them feel safe and in control now.As a trauma-informed therapy practice, we work collaboratively with you will not expect you to disclose or process experiences before you are ready. We are here to support your sense of safety, choice, trust, consent and pacing throughout therapy.Our aim is to help you better understand yourself, build emotional regulation and coping skills, strengthen relationships, and gradually process difficult experiences if this is wanted.

You can refer yourself or a family member directly to Finding Wellbeing. Referrals can also be made by an NDIS Support Coordinator, case manager or another professional involved in your support.You do not need a GP referral form. We provide our own intake form to gather the information we need before therapy begins.We can also offer a meet and greet before you decide to start therapy, so you can meet the therapist, ask questions and see whether the service feels like a good fit.Simply contact us with some basic information about the person seeking therapy. We can then discuss our Art Therapy and Counselling services, therapist availability, funding and the most suitable way to get started.

Our Art Therapist team are Master’s-trained therapists with a range of professional backgrounds, experience and areas of expertise.We work with children, adolescents and adults experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:Trauma and difficult life experiencesAnxiety, stress and emotional overwhelmGrief and lossEmotional regulation difficultiesNeurodivergence and disabilitySelf-esteem, identity and confidenceRelationship and family difficultiesSocial and communication challengesLife transitions and adjustmentChronic illness and disability-related experiencesComplex mental health concernsArt Therapy can be adapted to the person’s age, communication style, sensory needs and therapy goals.