PEOPLE

With a lifelong passion for the creative arts and helping others, Su Mei Tan began her journey in Malaysia, later studying architecture in Cardiff, U.K., where her interest in design and social impact led her to co-found a charity providing building and design services in Uganda and Bolivia. It was during this time that she discovered her deepest purpose — not in constructing buildings, but in creating spaces for connection through art. Sharing art with local communities, particularly children, became the seed that grew into her calling as a Creative Arts Therapist.

Su Mei holds a Master of Art Therapy from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Social Practice and Community Engagement from the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. She has also pursued a Master in Clinical Family Therapy at the Bouverie Centre, currently deferred to focus on her private practice, Art Tearapy, which she founded to offer holistic healing through creativity, embodiment, and community.

Professionally, Su Mei has worked as an MST Psychiatric Family Therapist at MacKillop Family Services, integrating systemic and family-based approaches into her creative arts therapy work. She has also practised as an Art Therapist in clinical settings, including Northpark Private Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, accompanying individuals living with mental health challenges, trauma, grief, and diverse physical and intellectual abilities.

As a Yoga Therapist and Movement Facilitator, Su Mei combines somatic awareness with creative process. She completed her RYT 500 training at Brahmani Yoga (India) and Yoga Therapy certification through the I AM Yoga Therapy program at the Amrit Yoga Institute (U.S.), and maintains a daily Vijnana Yoga practice. She has shared her love of yoga and mindful movement in communities across the world, facilitating Tea Meditation Ceremonies, Yoga & Tea, and Movement for the Soul workshops, as well as pre- and post-natal yoga.

Through Art Tearapy, Su Mei provides individual, family, and group art therapy, faith-based creative counselling, EAP counselling, and arts-based clinical supervision. Her work is trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and spiritually inclusive, blending expressive arts, movement, and mindfulness to help people reconnect with their inner strength and purpose.

Expanding her vision digitally, she founded COMMUNITEA — an online and in person platform offering creative healing resources, virtual art therapy circles, and reflective tea gatherings, connecting people and practitioners worldwide.

Across continents and disciplines, Su Mei’s work bridges East and West, body and mind, art and spirit. Her mission is simple yet profound:

To make creative healing accessible, inclusive, and deeply human.