Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need any artistic experience or skill to participate in creative arts therapy, and it is perfectly natural to feel nervous or unsure about what you might create. Many people arrive believing they are "not creative" or worried that they are not good at art. Creative arts therapy is not about producing a finished artwork or creating something that looks a certain way. Instead, the focus is on the creative process itself, which can provide opportunities to explore and express thoughts, emotions and experiences, develop self-awareness, and discover new perspectives. Sessions are adapted to your comfort level, and there is no expectation that you have prior experience with art materials or creative activities. Creative arts therapy is not concerned with artistic ability, producing a particular outcome, or creating a "good" or "right" artwork. The value lies in the process of creating and what you discover through the experience.

While both creative arts therapy and art classes involve creative materials and processes, their purpose and the training of the practitioner facilitating them are quite different. An art class is typically focused on learning artistic techniques, developing creative skills and producing artwork whilst being guided by an artist or art teacher. Creative arts therapy, by contrast, integrates creative processes with therapeutic practice to support emotional well-being, self-exploration, personal growth and individual therapeutic goals. Creative Arts Therapists typically bring a background, training or experience in one or more creative arts modalities. In addition to this arts-based foundation, they undertake specialised Master's-level training that integrates creative arts practice with psychotherapy-informed theory, therapeutic skills, ethics and clinical practice. A key difference is that creative materials and modalities are used intentionally and therapeutically. Different materials and creative processes can engage different ways of experiencing, expressing and processing information. For example, some approaches may emphasise sensory and embodied experience, others may support emotional expression, while others may encourage reflection, symbolic exploration, meaning-making or problem-solving. The choice of materials, creative modalities and interventions is guided by an individual's needs, preferences and therapeutic goals rather than by a curriculum or desired artistic outcome. Creative arts therapy is grounded in professional and ethical standards and uses the therapeutic relationship, alongside creative processes, to support wellbeing, self-awareness and meaningful change. Creative Arts Therapists are trained to provide a safe, supportive and appropriately contained therapeutic environment in which emotions, personal experiences and challenges can be explored at a pace that feels manageable for each individual. This therapeutic framework can help people engage with difficult emotions, life experiences and, where appropriate, traumatic experiences in ways that support emotional regulation, reflection and integration. The focus is not on pushing for disclosure or insight, but on working collaboratively and responsively to what feels helpful and appropriate for each person. Depending on an individual's needs and preferences, sessions may incorporate a range of creative modalities, including visual art, creative writing, imagery, movement, mindfulness-based practices and other forms of creative expression. These processes can provide opportunities to explore thoughts, emotions, relationships and life experiences that may sometimes be difficult to access through words alone. Unlike an art class, there is no expectation that you learn a particular technique, complete a specific project or create work that meets artistic standards. Creative processes are used flexibly and responsively to support your unique goals and experiences. Many people find that, over time, they develop greater confidence in their creativity and become more comfortable experimenting with different materials and forms of expression. While this can be a valuable part of the experience, the primary focus remains on supporting well-being, self-awareness, personal growth and meaningful therapeutic change.

Yes. Creative arts therapies have been practiced, researched and developed internationally since the 1940s and are supported by a substantial and growing body of research across clinical, mental health, health, education and community settings. Evidence supports the use of creative arts therapies across a range of populations and presentations, with studies demonstrating benefits in areas such as emotional regulation, self-awareness, resilience, communication, stress reduction and overall well-being. Creative arts therapies are used internationally in hospitals, mental health services, rehabilitation settings, educational environments, community programs and private practice, often as part of multidisciplinary care alongside other health and mental health professionals.

Creative processes can provide ways of expressing and exploring experiences that may be difficult to describe using words alone. Engaging with images, symbols, colour, movement, writing and other creative forms can help people explore emotions, reflect on experiences and connect with personal strengths and resources. Creative arts therapy recognises that people make sense of their experiences in many different ways. Alongside conversation, creative processes can offer additional pathways for reflection, expression, meaning-making and understanding. Creative processes may also support nervous system regulation by engaging sensory, embodied and creative experiences. Drawing on contemporary understandings of trauma, embodiment and theories such as Polyvagal Theory, creative arts therapy recognises that experiences may be held and expressed through the body as well as through thoughts and emotions. Creative processes can help foster a sense of safety, grounding, connection and emotional regulation, supporting well-being and resilience. The process of creating can encourage mindfulness, curiosity, self-compassion and emotional awareness. It can also support emotional regulation, meaning-making and a deeper understanding of oneself and one's experiences over time.

Creative arts therapy can support individuals from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and stages of life. People seek creative arts therapy for many different reasons, including stress, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, burnout, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, self-exploration and personal growth. Creative arts therapy can also support people exploring body image, self-esteem, identity and self-understanding. It may be particularly helpful for those seeking to make sense of difficult life experiences or trauma, reconnect with themselves, or develop a greater sense of self-awareness and wellbeing. Creative processes can offer additional pathways for exploring thoughts, emotions and embodied experiences that may not always be easily expressed through words alone. Creative arts therapy may be particularly helpful for people who are curious about exploring their experiences through both creative and reflective processes. It can support those who are looking for an alternative or complementary approach to traditional talk-based therapies, as well as those who wish to deepen self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience or reconnect with creativity and meaning in their lives. You do not need to be artistic, creative or experiencing a mental health crisis to benefit from creative arts therapy. Therapy is tailored to each person's individual needs, strengths, preferences and goals. Clients may self-refer or be referred by health professionals, support coordinators and community services. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants are also welcome.

Yes. Creative arts therapy can support adults across a wide range of life experiences, challenges and personal goals. People seek creative arts therapy for many reasons, including stress, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, burnout, relationship difficulties, emotional well-being, personal growth and self-exploration. Creative arts therapy may be particularly helpful for people who are looking for an alternative or complementary approach to traditional talk-based therapies. While conversation can be an important part of the process, creative approaches can offer additional ways of exploring thoughts, emotions, relationships and experiences that may not always be easily accessed through words alone. Creative arts therapy is not only for times of difficulty or crisis. Many adults engage in creative arts therapy to deepen self-awareness, reconnect with creativity, explore identity, strengthen emotional resilience, and develop a greater sense of meaning, connection and well-being. Sessions are tailored to each individual's needs, goals and preferences, and no previous artistic or creative experience is required.

Creative arts therapy shares many similarities with counselling and psychology in that it provides a safe and supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings and life experiences. Creative Arts Therapists undertake specialised Master's-level training that integrates creative arts practice with counselling and psychotherapy-informed theory, therapeutic skills, ethics and supervised clinical practice. A distinctive feature of creative arts therapy is the integration of creative processes and materials within the therapeutic work. Images, symbols, movement, writing and other creative modalities can offer additional ways of understanding experiences, expressing emotions and gaining insight that may not always emerge through conversation alone. Additionally, creative arts therapy is a flexible and integrative approach that is not defined by a single therapeutic model. Depending on the therapist's training and the needs of the individual, creative processes may be informed by and integrated with a range of psychotherapy-informed approaches, including person-centred, trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioural, attachment-informed, mindfulness-based and Polyvagal-informed perspectives. This flexibility allows therapy to be tailored to each person's unique experiences, strengths, goals and therapeutic needs.

Creative arts therapy does not involve the therapist assigning fixed meanings to your artwork or analysing it in a predetermined way. While images, symbols and creative expressions may be explored during therapy, the focus is on your own experiences, reflections, insights and understanding. Any discussion about artwork occurs collaboratively and with curiosity. You are considered the expert in your own life, and meaning is explored together rather than imposed by the therapist. At times, a therapist may notice themes, patterns, metaphors or symbols that emerge within the creative process and invite gentle reflection, while remaining open to your own understanding and interpretation. Artwork can sometimes reveal themes, perspectives or insights that support reflection and self-awareness. Meaning may emerge during the creative process, through conversation, or gradually over time as you revisit the artwork and reflect on your experiences. Equally, not every artwork needs to have a specific meaning. The creative process itself can be valuable in supporting expression, exploration, creativity and well-being.

Artwork created during therapy is treated with care, respect and confidentiality. Depending on the nature of the work and your preferences, artwork may be taken home, stored temporarily by agreement, photographed for clinical records, or used as part of the ongoing therapeutic process. In some instances, clients may choose to discard or destroy artwork as part of their therapeutic journey, and this can be discussed together. In creative arts therapy, the artwork is not assessed according to artistic standards, nor is it interpreted in a fixed or predetermined way. Any exploration of meaning occurs collaboratively and respects your own experiences, understanding and personal insights. Sometimes artwork may continue to offer new perspectives or meanings over time. Revisiting creative work can support reflection, self-awareness and ongoing exploration, and meaning may emerge during the creative process, through conversation, or gradually through later reflection. Any artwork retained for therapeutic purposes, including photographs taken as part of the clinical record, will be managed respectfully, securely and confidentially in accordance with professional, ethical and legal responsibilities. From time to time, de-identified artwork or photographs of artwork may be considered for educational, research, publication, presentation or practice-related purposes. Separate informed consent would always be sought, and clients are under no obligation to provide consent. Choosing not to provide consent will not affect the therapy or services received.

Art therapy and creative arts therapy share many similarities and both use creative processes within a therapeutic relationship to support well-being, self-awareness and personal growth. A key difference is that art therapy training typically focuses primarily on the therapeutic use of visual art processes, whereas Creative Arts Therapists are trained to work across a broader range of creative modalities. These may include visual art, therapeutic writing, drama therapy and somatic (movement) based creative practices and other forms of creative expression. Creative Arts Therapists are trained to work flexibly across these modalities and may integrate different approaches within a single session or across the therapeutic journey. This flexibility allows therapy to be tailored and respond to each person's needs, preferences and therapeutic goals. Different creative modalities can support different ways of exploring, expressing and processing experiences. At times, one modality may feel more accessible, meaningful or supportive than another, and the ability to move between modalities can open additional pathways for self-expression, emotional processing, insight and personal growth.

Your privacy and confidentiality are important. Information shared during therapy sessions, including discussions, creative work and therapeutic records, is treated confidentially and managed in accordance with professional, ethical and legal responsibilities. Client records, appointment scheduling, intake forms and related practice administration are managed using secure professional practice management systems. Telehealth sessions are conducted using secure platforms, and reasonable steps are taken to protect the privacy and confidentiality of information shared online. There are, however, some legal and ethical limits to confidentiality. These include situations where there are concerns about serious risk of harm to yourself or others, concerns relating to the safety of a child or vulnerable person, or where disclosure is otherwise required by law. These limits will be discussed before therapy begins so that you can make informed decisions about participation. As a Registered Creative Arts Therapist with ANZACATA, I adhere to professional standards, ethical guidelines and ongoing professional development requirements. Creating a safe, respectful and trustworthy therapeutic environment is a fundamental part of professional practice.

Full payment is required at the time of booking a session. Current fees for individual and group sessions are available on the Fees page.

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you and cannot usually be offered to another client at short notice. Cancellation and non-attendance policies help support the sustainability of the practice and ensure appointment times remain available for those seeking support. Cancellations: If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, at least 24 hours' notice is required. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are non-refundable and the full session fee will be charged. Late Arrivals: If you arrive late for your appointment, your session will still finish at the scheduled time. This is to avoid impacting other clients and appointments scheduled throughout the day. The full session fee remains payable. Non-Attendance: If you do not attend a scheduled appointment and have not provided notice, the appointment will be considered a non-attendance (no-show). The full session fee will be charged and is non-refundable. Exceptional Circumstances Where possible, please notify me as soon as possible if illness, emergency or other unforeseen circumstances affect your ability to attend. Any exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the therapist.