I am a Holistic Counsellor with specialisation in Art Therapy (Master of Art Therapy, ANZACATA), Clinical Counselling and Supervision (ACA).

My areas of expertise include: DBT-informed Art Therapy and Jungian psychodynamic client-centred methods.

 

Private health fund rebates available.

Holistic Approach.

My holistic approach supports the whole person, not just mental health needs. I consider physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of my clients. I strive to create a space in which my clients can rediscover their own innate healing power, in order to bring about a feeling of wholeness and integrity.

Clinical Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession grounded in applied psychological theory and clinical expertise. I am a master-level mental health professional, having completed 750 hours of psychiatric hospital placement.

I aim to facilitate active art-making, where clients can deeply engage with troubling issues by means of imagination and creativity. The art therapy process engages with the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone.

Artistic ability is never a requirement, since art therapy is underpinned by the belief in the creative nature of the human spirit.

My practice is guided by ethical standards and a social justice ethos.

Benefits of Art Therapy.

  • Boosts self-esteem

  • Affirms dignity and self-worth

  • Provides an emotional outlet

  • Helps to express oneself in a way that is safe and contained while accessing traumatic material

  • Integrates and helps tolerate disassociated painful memories

  • Awakens senses and stimulates a flow of life energy

  • Brings about a feeling of integrity, wholeness and connectedness

  • Fosters sense of life’s meaning and spirituality

I am professionally trained to deliver DBT-informed art therapy. I have completed courses in DBT and BPD with the Spectrum Personality Disorder Service for Victoria and the Harvard Medical School.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) sees a psychotherapeutic relationship as central to healing. It is an effective evidence-based treatment predominantly used in psychiatric settings to assist people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other mental health disorders.

Its principle areas cover:

  • Mindfulness

  • Emotion regulation skills

  • Validation and acceptance

  • Distress tolerance skills

Internal Family Systems (IFS).

In my practice I frequently employ Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory, which proposes that the mind is made up of a number of sub-personalities that interact with each other. All those parts have a positive intent, but due to past traumatic experiences, they take on extreme roles in an effort to stay safe.

IFS proposes that a true Self at the person’s core is an agent of psychological healing.

This is a non-pathologising approach, which aims to cultivate a well integrated and grounded personality. It promotes a compassionate stance towards self and others.

Jungian Psychotherapy.


Carl Jung's theory forms the basis of my transpersonal training. My psychotherapeutic work involves:

Psychoanalysis
Transgenerational Therapy
Active Imagination 
Sandplay Therapy (according to D. Kalff)
Journalling (according to I. Progoff)
Dreamwork
Archetypes, Mythology and Symbols
Mindfulness - Contemplative Practice

Trauma Informed Practice.

Trust

Safety

Choice

Collaboration

Empowerment

Memberships

Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association ANZACATA

Australian Counselling Association ACA

Holistic Therapists Australia HTA

European Federation of Art Therapy EFAT

Victorian Institute of Teaching VIT

Qualifications.

  • Master of Art Therapy - La Trobe University

  • General Psychiatric Management for BPD - Harvard Medical School

  • Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy - Phoenix Institute of Australia

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Art - The University of Melbourne

  • Graduate Diploma in Education - The University of Melbourne

  • Graduate Certificate of Creative Arts Therapy (Tier) - RMIT University

  • Diploma of Arts (Professional Writing and Editing) - RMIT University

  • BA (Hons) - Monash University

Biography.

I bring to therapy a lifetime of lived experience, my deep compassion, openness and authentic way of relating.

My vast clinical experience includes working in my private Counselling practice (9+ years) as well as an Art Therapist in various acute and subacute settings, such as:

Adult Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and Eating Disorders Unit at the Austin Hospital; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Heidelberg, Victoria;

Uniting ReGen Curran Place - Adult and Mother Baby Residential Withdrawal Service, Ivanhoe, Victoria;

Prevention and Recovery Care Service (PARCS) - North Eastern Mental Health Service, Austin Health & Mind Australia, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria.

Community Recovery Program (CRP) - rehabilitation for people with a long-term psychiatric disability, Austin Health & Mind Australia, Ivanhoe, Victoria.

I have worked as a Creative Arts Therapy sessional lecturer at The University of Melbourne, as well as a tutor and supervisor at the IKON Institute of Australia.

I am a Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registered teacher whose experience includes teaching at Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) and the Dandenong Ranges Steiner School.

In addition, I am a practicing and exhibiting visual artist, who loves figurative oil painting, clay sculpture and botanical drawing.

I speak fluent Polish. I also understand basic Ukrainian and Russian. I am a migrant and a proud mother of two adult children.

I am a dedicated environmentalist, passionate about preserving nature and caring for our mother - Earth. I live amongst gumtrees with my family and take great pleasure in bushwalking and tending to my organic garden.

Service Provision:
I have undertaken rigorous academic and mental health training throughout my adult life. As part of my ACA & ANZACATA registration, I receive ongoing professional supervision, training and development. I advance my knowledge by studying latest research in the fields of psychology, philosophy, medicine, neuroscience, art therapy, creative arts, somatic-oriented practice, anthropology, religion & spirituality. I enjoy regular participation in mindfulness and healing arts retreats.

Inclusive Practice.

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and pay my respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

I am committed to providing an inclusive & respectful service. I welcome all, irrespective of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion and ethnicity.