ABOUT US
The supreme Art of War is to subdue the enemy (within) without fighting
Sun Tzu
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a remarkable form of psychotherapy that harnesses the power of creativity to help individuals explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It’s the fusion of art and psychology, designed to promote healing and personal growth. Our approach is unique; it’s like savouring a cup of tea that seamlessly blends Eastern therapeutic wisdom with Western knowledge.
Drawing inspiration from mindfulness, calming techniques, and the warmth of community connections, we offer a refreshing balance to clinical and individualistic models of disability and mental health support. Through artistic expression, we help you tackle life’s challenges and gain control over your emotions and behaviours, all while reducing stress and enhancing your self-esteem and self-awareness.
Who is an Art Therapist?
Our art therapists are trained professionals who bring together their background in art and a deep understanding of psychological principles. They guide you through the art-making process, helping you interpret your creations and facilitating discussions to uncover the meaning behind your artwork. Importantly, it’s not about creating “good” art but about the therapeutic process and the emotional and psychological benefits that it offers.
Art therapy is an unconventional but powerful approach for individuals seeking self-exploration and healing. Our therapists adopt an empathetic, humanistic, and person-centred approach, drawing from psychoanalytic and existential art-making. We use evidence-based methods, such as polyvagal theory, to help you process past and current experiences, connecting you more closely with your bodily senses.
We’re here to support individuals of all ages with a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, PTSD – Trauma, ADHD, OCD, autism (both verbal and non-verbal), intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and even those affected by cancer. Our goal is to bring about positive change in mental health through the creative arts therapies.
Are you someone who has grown up in one culture while living in another?
If you’ve experienced this, you might be what we call a Third Culture Kid (TCK). TCKs have a unique cultural background, having spent their formative years in a culture different from both their parents’ culture and their current place of residence. This gives rise to a distinctive “third culture” that blends elements from various places, creating a rich tapestry of experiences. TCKs often possess the ability to adapt to new environments, speak multiple languages, and have a global perspective on the world. It’s a fascinating journey, but it can also bring challenges related to identity and belonging.
Have you often found it challenging to answer the question, “Where are you from?”
If you frequently struggle to provide a straightforward answer to this question because your background is a mix of various places, you might be a TCK.
TCKs often have a complex, multifaceted sense of origin.
Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock when returning to your home country or your parents’ culture?
If you’ve felt out of place, disoriented, or even experienced a sense of loss when returning to your motherland after living abroad, you may be a TCK.
Reverse culture shock is a common occurrence for TCKs.
Step into a world where art and experience collide – our team of Art Therapists are not just professionals, they’re passionate souls who have walked in your very shoes. Born from the rich tapestry of diverse cultures, they’ve embraced the challenges of being Third Culture Kids and found their home in the heart of Melbourne.
At Art Tearapy, we specialise in working with an extraordinary group known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and migrants who have lived experience with mental illness, trauma and disabilities. At our core, we’re all about embarking on a shared odyssey with you, nurturing your growth, and fostering a deep understanding of the world’s myriad cultures and identities. We’re here to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, and together, we’ll embrace the beauty of differences with courage and serenity.
Art Therapy: Evidence-Based Modalities
We employ a range of evidence-based modalities, ensuring that each individual receives personalised and effective treatment. These include Object Relations, Developmental Approaches, Developmental/Behavioral Approaches, Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Therapeutic Community Approach, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Trauma-Informed Practice, Polyvagal Therapy, Structural and Strategic Family Therapy, Contextual Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.
You don’t need to be a talented artist to unlock the benefits of art therapy. Our professionals will guide you to decoding the messages hidden within your artwork, paving the way for your healing process. Art therapy can achieve various outcomes for different people – it can serve as a form of counselling, healing, treatment, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, or a pathway to deeper self-understanding. So, why not join us for a cup of tea and let your artistic journey begin? Discover the transformative power of art therapy and explore your inner self in ways you never thought possible.