Explore and express yourself through colours, sounds, movement and more with Creative Arts Therapy.
Interface Therapeutic Arts is a creative, arts-based support service based in the Bega Valley Shire on the NSW Far South Coast. Whether it's art projects or creative counselling, we can work in person, locally, and online from anywhere by secure video call. Art Therapy and Creative Arts Mentoring bookings are offered Tuesdays to Thursdays with a professionally qualified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner. |
Creative Arts Therapy
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I studied fine arts as my first 'trade' and it was going to be my life, but I developed a long term creative block, so I honed my next readily-available-skill: supporting others. I later became a social worker and I've always loved my work, however, it made sense eventually to connect my love for creativity with my support skills.
I immersed myself in a 3-year Masters degree in Therapeutic Arts Practice and I now use arts-based therapies to support others in community arts and health settings. I wear three 'hats' - Therapeutic Arts Practitioner, Social Worker and Artist. They get adjusted naturally, as needed. As an arts-based therapist, I look for creative ways to for us to express ourselves, perhaps through a chosen art material, body language or sounds. As a social worker, ethics and a sociological view (or a systems perspective) guides me. As a visual artist, my experience with materials and ideas can be shared with others. |
After being involved in the Community Work sector for over 10 years, I bring an understanding of complex life situations to my practice. This helps to facilitate people's creative expression of their own life experiences. In a session with someone, I might laugh with someone, feel delight, sit with their heart aches or be contemplative with them.
Working together, I offer collaborative inquiry - that means we're in this exploration together. Respect and flexibility matters first and foremost to me and I do this by tailoring each session to your needs. I welcome you by saying, 'Come however you are'. Arts practice grounds me and is the perfect channel to inquire into my own experiences through sketching, photography, collage, painting, and dancing. I look forward to supporting you in your own personal inquiry. However you are. Özlem.
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Accreditations
- Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work), 2012, CSU
- Master of Therapeutic Arts Practice (Community Arts & Health), 2018, The MIECAT Institute, Melbourne
- Current professional member of AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers)
- Current professional member of ANZACATA (Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association)