Creating Insights - art therapy

03/12/2025

To be part of the solution to stabilising Art Therapy as the recognised Allied Health Service that it is, the EAC (Evidence Advisory Committee) requires more input from those with lived experience of receiving or providing or believing in Art Therapy.

They have provided several options for submission of which there can be data found on my ‘resources’ page on my website or through ANZACATA or PACFA sites also.

This is in addition to the Dr Stephen Duckett independent review.

Let’s not miss this opportunity to contribute to fresh eyes, and leave it all in 2025.

Big thank you for your time and contributions.

Louise💚💚💚

[I’m just a late in life, qualified art therapist, who trotted off to uni during lockdown, using my lived experience, to build my business, to provide affirming care to my wonderful cohort of neurokin folk!].

01/12/2025

Many moons (& 3 decades ago!), I was a young graphic designer in my early to mid twenties, working for the in-house design department at Myer Grace Bros.

Being a hardworking overachiever (with myself as my harshest critic), I, like many at the time was eager to use every skill gained and developed to pour into any brief I was given.

“You’re only as good as the blank page in front of you” I often said, and as designers it was our job to bring the pages to life.

When I was given the brief to work alongside author (and Melbourne socialite), Pat Lawson Black, to design a limited edition book commemorating 40 years of the Myer Christmas Windows, I was both excited and terrified.

Given the Apple Mac (beige box) had only been around a few years or so, and the internet even less, design at the time involved a lot of sketches, mood boards, photocopying and layering.

Walking on foot between departments to gather information from the archives. Wearing white gloves to view the photos, original illustrations and the thrill of accessing the characters and props that remained in the vault, to add to the pages.

The aged photographs themselves (from the mid fifties up) made it difficult to design into the layout.

Large blocks of colour representing the four decades were used, along with playful typography and inset designs, highlighting the props and characters.

I was given full design license, liaising with the team, and enjoyed working with illustrators, production designers, prop artists, photographers, finished artists and the incredible Pat who kept us laughing into the wee hours of the morning!

The schedule and workload was stressful. I was often burnt out (without understanding it) and experienced incredible pressure and anxiety as a result. Cue fawn mode, people pleasing.

I experienced several workplace incidences, which to this day I still carry. I have done my best to heal, however ‘the body keeps the score’ (B.VdK).

Finding forgotten gifted character props yesterday, in my garage 30 years later, is giving me a somewhat Wicked chance to heal and hopefully close this chapter.

The characters hold messages 🧟‍♀️

01/12/2025

Dear followers

One more thing for the NDIS...

Hopefully, this is the last time we need to prove that Art Therapy is a clinically trained and registered Allied Health service, and we can all get on with accessing and providing these services.

As we have been categorised (below) outside of allied health for some reason, I really hope you can find the time (again) to grab a cuppa and complete this survey.

Many of the answers may require a 'no' and to provide more information.

As alerted previously, here is the survey link to provide (anonymous) feedback and information to the 'Evidence Advisory Committee', which will be using this information to assess Art and Music Therapy on the NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is working in addition to the independent review.

"For the second round of assessments to be considered by the EAC, we would like your input on the following supports:
+ Art Therapy
+ Functional Electrical Stimulation
+ Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Disability Support
+ Music Therapy
+ Prosthetics with Microprocessors
+ Therapy Suits"

Even though the independent review by Dr Stephen Duckett had positive results for our fields of practice, it feels important to take this (hopefully) final step, albeit exhausting. Let's continue to be part of the 'solution' to this ongoing 'problem'.

You can either:
1) email disabilityevidence@health.gov.au with evidence, information, or your thoughts - ie I am forwarding my submission (with testimonials) to Dr Stephen Duckett
2) Complete the survey - this takes about 20 minutes.
3) Video submission.

The due date is Jan 20, 2026.

The committee states:
"We are studying some NDIS supports and things that might become NDIS supports. We are trying to see:
+ who they help
+ how much they help
+ if they are safe.

We want to know if the information we have so far is right. We want to know:
+who uses or might use the supports
+ how and why people use the supports
+ what other supports people use instead.

You can tell us what you think using the link on the Consultation Hub Website. If you prefer, you can email a video of your answers to disabilityevidence@health.gov.au before 11:59pm AEST on 20 January 2026"

THANK YOU

The site lists consultations that are run by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations.

20/11/2025

Words matter

18/11/2025

Just a typical tidy up between sessions 🪄✨

A sign of a great experiential time together ✨ 🪄
Ensuring I keep my focus where I need to be during our time together, as to not break the therapeutic bond ✨ 🪄

Utilising whatever is required without unnecessary limitations, adhering with the ETC (expressive therapies continuum) ✨ 🪄

Making the most of our face to face time together, before starting again ✨ 🪄

Trying to justify the actual time spent for art therapy sessions within reason, with ethical care ✨ 🪄

I’m off to make a magic wand ✨ 🪄

17/11/2025

We’ve been reflecting on the impact of playfulness and creating témenos in sessions lately, and how showing up as authentically you can have magical effects.

We’re often on guard or even masking to fit in, ‘behave’ or be perceived a certain way, so play is an important element of letting go and feeling safe enough to open up.

Plus, thankfully these days my own inner child is present to meet many folk were they’re at.

29/10/2025

I’m not sure what’s more challenging some days…
A) Getting packed up before the next client
B) Sorting the colours to assist those who need order
C) Remembering where everything goes
D) Getting distracted … oh… where was I? and playing with the materials

I’ve created a space I would have devoured as a child, I would have loved for my own kids, and hope my clients feel safe, expressive and curious enough for creating insights together.

Through the many relational frameworks and multi model aspects of art psychotherapy, this week we’ve explored: identity, adaptation and reflexivity, tools to manage fears, unpacking threat responses, understanding others intentions versus our perceptions, expanding upon pride in sharing special interests, unmasking in safe environments, understanding our neurodivergent experiences, recognising burnout, working with our window of tolerance and so much more.

Needless to say, I love this work and I love learning from and alongside my clients.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” - Leonardo da Vinci

23/10/2025

Reflective practice is such a vital part of this work. Carving out time to process experiences and reset where possible.

With so much change, education, advocacy and reductionism in this work, it’s important to gain perspective and stay true to the values I’m aligned with.

“There is a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’ Leonard Cohen

01/10/2025

Thank you to Community Bank Ringwood East and Croydon for visiting us today and sharing this.

When community comes together it creates a very special connection, no matter age or experience. It just works.

Thank you to Maroondah City Council for inviting us once again 💚

29/09/2025

22/09/2025

I did this collaborative painting on a recent holiday with an inspirational artist.

It represents three very important, creative, authentic and passionate individuals in my life.

My theme song has always been ‘three little birds’ which I sang (and cried to) going to and from multiple dr, therapy and gov appointments, school meetings, social catch ups and the long list goes on.

There is so much irony linking autism to pain my creative brain honestly doesn’t know where to start!

Autism is inspired by proCREATION. CREATION that is needed in this often painful world.

22/09/2025

🍃 You’re invited to a community Art Therapy event in Maroondah 🍃

I’m looking forward to facilitating our second ‘Growing Wellbeing Day’ for 🍃

📆 Wednesday 1st October
🕰️ 11am-2pm
🗺️ Ringwood Realm. Come find us inside in the downstairs area.
🖼️ BYO curiosity and self expression

Art therapy within community offers a unique space to gather in curiosity, openness, and creativity, inviting participants to discover what emerges when we make together. In this interactive event, we will explore how everyday objects and natural materials, things that may otherwise be discarded, can be repurposed into meaningful works of art through collage, printmaking, and layered imagery. Come and make your own fidget or mini weave, and contribute to the creation of a permanent community art piece for Maroondah City Council.

I’m thrilled to be joined by art therapist Tanis Douglas in facilitating this immersive and interactive experience and look forward to seeing what transpires.

We had such a wonderful time last year, so please come along and join in the exploration!