“I don’t always know what I’m looking at when I begin. A feeling. A memory. A sensation. A fragment of a story. Creative and experiential therapy helps me stay with the uncertainty long enough for something meaningful to emerge. Not all at once. Just enough for the next step.” This participant gave me consent to share #creativeandexperientialtherapies #creativetherapy #healingthroughart #arthealing #artheals

Tim Desmond’s How to Stay Human in a Fucked-Up World is a deeply grounded exploration of what it means to remain open, compassionate, and present in a world that often feels overwhelming. Rather than offering quick fixes or polished positivity, the book focuses on how to stay connected to your humanity when life feels painful, chaotic, or emotionally too much. It is less about escaping difficulty and more about learning how to meet it without shutting down. A significant emot

“I painted a butterfly 🦋 with a pink bow above it 🎀 I like all the colours in the butterfly’s wings” This participant gave me permission to share #butterflyart #glimmerpainting #artintherapy #artistherapy #artastherapy

Fat Liberation Month is August. Fat liberation is about so much more than body size. It challenges the structures that determine whose bodies are considered worthy of dignity, respect, healthcare, safety, and opportunity. Fatphobia doesn’t exist in isolation. It is deeply intertwined with ableism, racism, patriarchy, transphobia, queerphobia, sexism, classism, and other forms of systemic oppression. That’s why fat liberation is inseparable from disability justice, racial just

“Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” - Mary Oliver This participant gave me permission to share #creativeandexperientialtherapies #bilateraldrawing #artwillsetyoufree #healingthroughart #artheals

“I made this because seeing the water fountains is one of my favourite memories. Another one of my favourite memories is meeting Rae.” This participant gave me permission to share #creativeandexperientialtherapies #childledtherapy #playtherapy #minecraftblocks #minecrafttherapy

While we enjoyed some time in the sensory garden, Shōga was happy to supervise from his favourite spot on the studio couch. Looking out the window always seems to suit him. He looked very content soaking up the sunshine while keeping an eye on our outdoor adventures. Photo of @shoga_cat #shōgacat #studiocat #shōga #cattherapist #therapistcat

Growing Around Grief Many people are familiar with the idea that grief becomes smaller over time. Lois Tonkin’s Growing Around Grief model offers a different way of understanding grief. Rather than grief shrinking, Tonkin suggests that our lives grow around it. The grief can remain, while there is gradually more space for relationships, experiences, memories and moments of joy. This doesn’t mean that grief becomes less important or that we “move on” from the person we have lo

“This was a delicate process. I did the first image and discovered the leaves afterwards. I also discovered unknown growth.“ This participant gave me permission to share #growththroughart #artheals #creativehealing #creativeandexperientialtherapies #artprogress

It’s Not For You combines Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich’s own stories and reflections with conversations featuring musicians who have helped shape the Australian music scene, including Amy Taylor, Courtney Barnett, Julia Jacklin, Sampa the Great, Romy Vager, Sarah Blasko, BARKAA, Vika and Linda Bull and others. Kelly explores music, creativity, identity, relationships and the realities of finding your place in an industry that has not always made that easy. During my journey of becomi

Breath of Space by Rae Sabine I created this during an Expressive Arts Therapy Supervision course. It reflects the inner space a supervisor cultivates before entering the shared space of supervision. The open centre and circling strokes became a reminder that my capacity to be present with another is shaped by the way I first attend to my own experience. By practising presence, curiosity and compassion, I am better able to meet the supervisory relationship with steadiness and

August is Transgender History Month This August, we honour the rich, complex and often overlooked histories of transgender and gender diverse people, recognising that many cultures across the world have long acknowledged genders beyond the Anglocentric gender binary. Trans people are not a new phenomenon. Across cultures and throughout history, transgender and gender diverse people have always existed, contributing to their communities through leadership, creativity, activism

“I made a frog clay 🐸 with a lily pad 🪷 The frog likes sitting on the lily pad and looking at the flower” This participant gave me permission to share #frogart #softclayart #frogonalilypad #ilovesoftclay #creativetherapy

I’ve been enjoying using the Meditation Mini Cards by GoZen with children in therapy. Each card offers a simple, playful mindfulness activity, making it easy to introduce grounding, emotional regulation, and self-awareness in a way that’s engaging and accessible. They’re a lovely resource for helping children build a toolkit of calming strategies. Found here: www.gozen.com #gozen #meditationmini #meditationforchildren #meditationforkids #meditationcards

“This is King Duck (he/him) is the King of the Pond. He has a memory like a goldfish and floats in circles. He has too much bouncy to swim but he does dive for food.“ This participant gave me consent to share #creativetherapy #arttherapy #playtherapy #imaginativetherapy #narrativetherapy

THE GREY ROCK METHOD A strategy to disengage from cycles of abuse and manipulation Avoid sharing personal details Be as dull and unresponsive as possible Keep yourself busy during interactions Shrug, shake your head, or nod Present information clearly and concisely Avoid engaging in their drama Answer questions briefly (not universally effective; no contact is optimal) The Grey Rock Method from Rae Sabine Email: creatingwellbeingmelbourne@gmail.com #thegreyrockmethod #greyroc

“Beyond the glorification, the reality isn’t what the propaganda wants us to think… What’s not ever really highlighted is the true struggles with trauma, each having our own to carry…In the end we only have ourselves and those we choose to let in, often with battle scars of their own. Each is trying to prop each other up, as the systems are purposely torn down to be broken, on those already too broken to stand up and fight back anymore…” AM gave me permission to share...

As a Creative and Experiential Therapist, I found this book to be a valuable and inspiring exploration of person-centred approaches to creative practice. I particularly appreciated the way the author brings theory into relationship with lived experience, offering thoughtful reflections alongside practical examples of how these ideas can unfold within therapeutic and learning environments. One of the aspects I valued most was the inclusion of creative exercises and the way the

“Collaborative portrait of my cat’s spirit, co-created with Rae. Covered in my fingerprints from loving pats I couldn’t hold back. Later, at home, a beam of light found her… and I swear she purred. 🖤✨” This participant gave me permission to share #cocreation #petloss #petgrief #healingthroughart #artheals

9 August is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Each year on 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognises the rich cultures, knowledge, histories and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across the world. The 2026 United Nations theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Wellbeing,” celebrates the vital role Indigenous midwives play in supporting maternal health, preserving traditional knowledge and strengthenin