Heart

 Emotions are what set the tone for our lives. They affect our inner and outer appearance, our physical and mental health, and have a great impact on what we achieve on a daily basis.

Emotions are based on what we know and have experienced in our lives to date. Creating more positive experiences and learning how to recognise, celebrate and control our emotions, helps us to develop a more resilient heart and a more balanced life.

Art

Art making can bring calm, connection, insight and even joy. Art making allows us to practice and celebrate; acceptance, imperfection, and catharsis, though exploration of emotions and/or life experiences we might not want or feel able to talk about.

Art making, music, movement, creativity and other sensory experiences, with the guidance of a registered Art Therapist, allow us to express our inner selves, explore past and present journeys, hurts and joys, in a safe and relaxing way.

Art Therapy, has been shown to help lower stress levels, decrease anxiety, and aid emotional regulation. It has also been shown to have a positive impact for people suffering from chronic pain (physical and emotional).

Art Therapy can help children and adults who have difficulties with speech or verbal communication to express themselves, and offers those who feel they have limited choice or control over their lives a place to become more comfortable improvising and exploring new possibilities.

What if I'm no good at art?

The good news is, you don’t need to be creative or think of yourself as an artist to benefit from an arts therapy session. You just need to be curious and open to try something new.

Steps

Just as your life story has been created one step at a time, so your path forward to mental health, acceptance and healing happens one heart step at a time. The goal of Heartsteps Art Therapy is to walk with you in times of stress or distress, one step at a time, to help calm your mind, explore emotions and share life stories and experiences, (past, present or future…) in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental, creative space.

Depending on your circumstances, those steps may include;

·       Experiencing trust and safety, in a calm, consistent space.

·       Feeling heard/seen without judgement

·       Exploring Self-expression and discovering creativity

·       Working towards recognising and naming emotions

·       Working towards finding more constructive ways to deal with challenging thoughts and feelings

·       Working towards self-acceptance

Exploring issues of choice and control in your life

·       Setting goals for the future (in art and life)

·       Working towards connection with others through art

If you are ready to take that first step, call or use the booking button below, to book a Free initial consultation and assessment and find out if Art Therapy could work for you.

Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) is a form of counselling, which utilises a combination of creative, psychological and psychotherapeutic methods to help clients’ better express themselves, explore overwhelming emotions and improve their general well-being and mental health.

It offers a safe, creative space to explore and express how you might be feeling about things that are troubling you, and deal with difficult feelings and things that are hard to talk about.

Pictures, music, gentle movement, making things and any other ways you might think of to get in touch with your creativity, can all be used to help you to calm and feel less stressed.

What does an Art Therapist do?

Creative Arts Therapists, work with individual clients, families and groups, using creative processes to help clients explore and express emotions and experiences that are often difficult to articulate in words.

A Creative Arts Therapist can help you to use different approaches, other than just talking, to work out what help you might need, and what you would like to have happen, to improve your life.

What are the main goals of Art Therapy?

• To promote self expression and emotional regulation

• To encourage self-discovery

• To encourage personal growth and acceptance

• To help clients manage the effects of trauma and/or major life events and transitions

• To promote mindfulness and general well-being

What if I'm no good at art?

The good news is, you don’t need to be creative or think of yourself as an artist to benefit from an arts therapy session. You just need to be curious and open to try something new.

The goal of Heartsteps Art Therapy is to walk with you in times of stress or distress, one step at a time, to help calm your mind, explore emotions and share life stories and experiences, (past, present or future…) in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental, creative space.

My name is Carmel Hall and I am the  owner and founder of Heartsteps Art Therapy. I am a Creative Arts Therapist registered with ANZACATA and an Educator with non-practicing registration with the TRBWA.

I have the following qualifications

• Master of Creative Arts Therapies - Murdoch University

• Master of Education - Murdoch University

• Graduate certificate in Tertiary and Adult Education - Murdoch University

• Bachelor of Social Science: Children and Family studies - Edith Cowan University

I have a background in allied health, early intervention and education and a passion for multimodal and sensory learning and experiences. With over 20 years’ experience, supporting children, adults and their families, by providing therapy and education, across hospital, home, school and childcare settings, my goal is to utilize art, music, audiovisual and/or sensory activities to deliver developmentally and age appropriate psychotherapeutic support.

What I can offer...

• High quality, inclusive and therapeutic environments, designed to promote creativity and self-discovery.

• Differentiated psychotherapy and learning programs, suited to the unique abilities and needs of individual adults and children.

• An understanding of services and supports required by children and adults with disabilities and special needs, including; ASD, Down Syndrome, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia and other speech and learning concerns.

• Experience working with adults and children with complex communication and mental health needs.

• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team in both healthcare and education settings, working alongside educators and Allied Health Teams. (Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Dietician).

• A sound understanding of human development across all domains (physical, emotional, social, cognitive and language skills).