“Jen is professional, friendly, and puts me at ease. A talented artist and a great teacher, she has empowered me to process emotions and circumstances through a wide range of experiences including movement, music, painting, drawing, collaging, and sculpting. The breakthroughs come when I have been deeply peaceful and connected to my art, letting go of my need to analyse everything. Art therapy is the highlight of my week. We always have lots of fun and laughs together. Thank you, Jen.”
Dana
Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy is a multi-modal, holistic approach that explores the creative process through various art forms such as visual arts, music, movement, writing, and drama.
Sessions are designed to enable clients to express themselves through these alternative methods of communication, yielding valuable insight from the subconscious mind and providing an opportunity for intentional self-discovery and growth.
Expressive Arts Therapy supports mental health and wellbeing by promoting relaxation, strengthening resilience, and improving self-esteem through nurturing a profound connection with our intuition.
Sessions are available on a 1:1 or 1:2 basis, and can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of community and corporate groups. Sessions are non-clinical and offered within the scope of my professional development training.
Click below to learn more.
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One-to-one sessions are ideal for you if…
You feel comfortable exploring your creativity in a private setting;
The idea of developing your unique sense of creative expression is exciting;
You are ready to explore and nurture your relationship with self;
You are committed to your healing journey.
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One-to-two sessions are ideal for you if…
You feel comfortable exploring your creativity alongside a trusted person i.e. a friend, family member, colleague, or support person.
The idea of developing your unique sense of creative expression in the company of a trusted person is exciting;
You are ready to explore and nurture your relationship with self and with your trusted person;
You are committed to your own healing journey, as well as willing to support the healing of your trusted person
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Expressive Arts group sessions support mental health and wellbeing by promoting relaxation, strengthening resilience, and improving self-esteem, while forging and developing social connections and creative collaborations.
Group sessions are ideal for you if…
You would like to connect with fellow creative souls;
You feel comfortable exploring and sharing creativity with others;
The idea of developing your unique sense of creative expression while being inspired by others is exciting to you;
You feel ready to explore and nurture your relationship with self in a supportive, non-judgmental social setting.
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Cultivate a healthy workplace and support the wellbeing of your team through Expressive Arts 1:1 and group sessions.
Group sessions are facilitated through a series of intentional prompts that enable clients to express themselves intuitively through these alternative methods of communication.
Being able to visually see how others view different situations through imagery can be tremendously helpful in improving communication between colleagues and resolving conflict.
As a result, group sessions can reduce the feeling of being ‘under pressure’, improving morale and enhancing work quality.
Interactions between group members and the creative guide further encourage the process of self-discovery and growth.
Corporate sessions are ideal for your company if…You are committed to nurturing the wellbeing of your team by promoting relaxation, strengthening resilience, and improving self-esteem;
You would like to foster healthy professional relationships in the workplace by improving communication, conflict resolution, and morale;
You would like to increase the quality of your team’s productivity
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Pieces of public art like murals, mosaics, and sculptures can add meaning to our communal spaces and reflect the unique identity of our communities.
This can improve local community wellbeing and promote the area as an arts and culture destination.
Drawing on my background in cultural anthropology, I employ qualitative interview techniques to generate detailed information that can bring an authentic and meaningful piece of art to life!
In personal spaces, bespoke commissions can vastly contribute towards a sense of wellbeing in the home as a sacred sanctuary that reflects and nurtures your sense of self.
Commissions can also foster feelings of joy, hope, and nostalgia which can be very therapeutic in our day to day lives.
My approach is rooted in the belief that nature is a fundamental support for wellbeing. Sessions therefore take inspiration from nature, make use of eco-friendly materials, and can also be based in nature, weather permitting.
Through this deep connection with nature, I guide clients to explore their inner landscapes, bringing the mind, body, and spirit back into harmonious balance.
Drawing from my background in cultural anthropology and conservation diving across the world, I also offer multicultural perspectives that cultivate a broader understanding of self and the world.
“Jen is much more than my Art Therapist; she is a mentor, an inspiration, a champion, and my conductor. She knows when to lead me, challenge and encourage me, and she is creative in so many ways. If it wasn’t for Jen, I would not be here today. She has taken me from one of the darkest times of my life and given me hope and a purpose for my future.”
George
Do I need to have any art skills to join Expressive Arts sessions?
None whatsoever!
We all have an innate sense of creativity which we tap into during sessions. This emerges not only through visual art forms but also through writing, movement, and music...
It can be a fascinating and illuminating experience to explore your unique sense of creativity, and with a bit of practice, can vastly improve your self-esteem and resilience.
Who do you work with?
I work with everybody.
I have experience working with children, teens, adults, and the elderly; those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; multicultural peoples; those who identify as disabled/or having/living with a disability (including those who are non-verbal); and those who are part of the LGBTIQA+ community.
No matter your story, we can make art together!
What is the length and pricing of services?
Private 1:1 sessions:
1 hour ($95)
1.5 hours ($120)
2 hours ($150)
Prices include GST and all materials.
Group sessions are a minimum of 2 hours, but half/full day workshops are also available.
Creative retreats over multiple days can be tailormade to meet your needs.
Those with an NDIS budget are charged at the 1:1 support rate through their Social & Recreational budget.
Where do you work?
I work across the community in flexible locations including client’s homes, the studio space of the ARTmatters community gallery at 3 Pitt St, in nature (weather-permitting), and in other community hubs like the Philip St Precinct.
“Jen's group art classes are a safe space where you can explore expressing your emotions through art. Jen is amazing at holding the space for others and making everyone feel safe and welcome. I love that there is no pressure to make art that looks or feels a certain way, and there is no judgement. No matter how I'm feeling before a class with Jen, I always leave feeling more relaxed and content.”
Jacki