Creating Wellbeing Melbourne

Services offered

• Allied Health
• Daily Living Skills
• Health and Well-being
• Improved Relationships
• Increased Social and Community Participation

Hi, I’m Rae  (they/them) and I’m an Arts Therapist, Psychotherapist and Supervisor. I am Non-Binary and Neurodivergent with a lived experience of Chronic Illness. I am very passionate about Disability Rights, the LGBTQIA+ Community and Mental Health. I am vegan and love animals. I also have have a sensory garden outside the studio.

When working therapeutically, I use person-centred, strengths-based and peer support approaches to assist individuals to access their internal resources and building their resilience. 

My core values include; connection, expression, creativity, imagination, curiosity, authenticity, courage, empowerment, personal congruence and autonomy.

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I have experience working with a broad range of clients, from neurodivergent young people to elderly people with dementia. I also have facilitated Arts Psychotherapy workshops for female, trans and gender diverse youths at Amplified Victoria (AKA Girls Rock) and for staff members at DFFH (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing). Now I work with clients through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Service) and Private Practice.

Before this, I was a group facilitator and offered helpline support for Family Drug Help at SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre). I also have worked as a disability support worker. My background also includes over 10 years working in Graphic Design and as a result, I am passionate about incorporating digital technologies into therapeutic spaces and my practice.

I have received the Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice from the MIECAT Institute and the Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy from the IKON Institute. I facilitate in a multi-modality capacity, offering other art expressions such as narrative, music, drama and dance. I have memberships with ANZACATA (Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association), ACA (Australian Counselling Association) and AusPATH (Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health). I have also done Professional Development Training in a range of Psychotherapy Modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), IFS (Internal Family Systems Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and Rhythms and Regulation with Dr Cathy Malchiodi. 

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I have always been interested in the arts and participated in music, art, drama, dance and film workshops from an early age. When I got older I developed an interest in street art. There was a reoccurring narrative in this community that art was powerful in supporting and creating positive change in people’s lives. This sparked an interest in me to explore further the therapeutic value of using the arts in therapy. In 2014 I organised an international street art exhibition at the St Kilda Espy Hotel. My personal street art has been included in the “NGV Melbourne Now” curated exhibition in Hosier Lane in 2014 and the Thames & Hudson book “Inside Street Art Melbourne” in 2016.