WellART Art(s) Therapists
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Sandra Schmidt
Registered Art Therapist (AThR), Professional Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association –ANZACATA
I have been a registered Art Therapist in NZ since 2016.
At the moment, I don’t have capacity for new referrals.
I currently work at Whakamātūtū/ Depression Recovery Centre in Wellington and at Te Whare Ahuru/ Acute Inpatient Unit / MHAIDS.
www.whakamatutu.org.nz/
www.mhaids.health.nz/our-services/acute-inpatient-services-youth-and-adult/tewhare-ahuru-acute-inpatient-unit/
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Registered Art Therapist (AThR), Professional Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association –ANZACATA
I have been a registered Art Therapist in NZ since 2016.
At the moment, I don’t have capacity for new referrals.
I currently work at Whakamātūtū/ Depression Recovery Centre in Wellington and at Te Whare Ahuru/ Acute Inpatient Unit / MHAIDS.
www.whakamatutu.org.nz/
www.mhaids.health.nz/our-services/acute-inpatient-services-youth-and-adult/tewhare-ahuru-acute-inpatient-unit/
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Pat Hay
Treasurer WellART
BSc, MEd, Dip Psych, MAAT, AThR
Provisional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (ProvMNZAC)
Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
I am a Registered Arts Therapist, graduating from Auckland’s Whitecliffe College of Art and Design Masters of Arts Therapy programme. As part of my clinical placement at Te Omanga hospice, I supported terminally-ill patients and also supported children, adolescents and adults with grief and loss. I have also initiated therapeutic community arts projects for migrants and recently-arrived refugees, following experience working for Red Cross Refugee Services. A particular interest is incorporating mindfulness into her arts therapy practice. I have extensive experience as an educator (adults and children), frequently in multicultural settings, overseas and in New Zealand.
Currently Working at: ACC Sensitive claims work, private practice. Email: [email protected]
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Treasurer WellART
BSc, MEd, Dip Psych, MAAT, AThR
Provisional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (ProvMNZAC)
Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
I am a Registered Arts Therapist, graduating from Auckland’s Whitecliffe College of Art and Design Masters of Arts Therapy programme. As part of my clinical placement at Te Omanga hospice, I supported terminally-ill patients and also supported children, adolescents and adults with grief and loss. I have also initiated therapeutic community arts projects for migrants and recently-arrived refugees, following experience working for Red Cross Refugee Services. A particular interest is incorporating mindfulness into her arts therapy practice. I have extensive experience as an educator (adults and children), frequently in multicultural settings, overseas and in New Zealand.
Currently Working at: ACC Sensitive claims work, private practice. Email: [email protected]
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Jane Gray
Member of : ANZACATA, Full Registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council, Associate Member of EMDRNZ
I earned a Master's degree in Arts Therapy (Clinical) from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in 2017 and PGDIP in Education and Counselling in 2020 from Massey University. My training placements encompassed of Mash TRUST, Central Region Eating Disorder Service (CREDS), Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and Hikitia Te Wairua (National and Regional Intellectual Disability Secure Services).
With substantial teaching experience, I possess expertise in assisting young people navigating health, mental health, and behavioral challenges affecting their engagement, family dynamics, social interactions, and school attendance. Additionally, I facilitate arts-based collaborative peer support sessions aimed at helping teachers cultivate and advocate for self-care practices to manage occupational stress.
I integrate Arts Therapy and gentle movement in my practice, providing holistic support for exploring and releasing the mind, body, emotions, and soul. Beginning in early 2025, I will also offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) alongside art therapy for adolescents and adults.
CURRENTLY WORKING AT: as a school counsellor / arts therapist at Wellington College.
Not taking any new clients until 2025.
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Member of : ANZACATA, Full Registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council, Associate Member of EMDRNZ
I earned a Master's degree in Arts Therapy (Clinical) from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design in 2017 and PGDIP in Education and Counselling in 2020 from Massey University. My training placements encompassed of Mash TRUST, Central Region Eating Disorder Service (CREDS), Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and Hikitia Te Wairua (National and Regional Intellectual Disability Secure Services).
With substantial teaching experience, I possess expertise in assisting young people navigating health, mental health, and behavioral challenges affecting their engagement, family dynamics, social interactions, and school attendance. Additionally, I facilitate arts-based collaborative peer support sessions aimed at helping teachers cultivate and advocate for self-care practices to manage occupational stress.
I integrate Arts Therapy and gentle movement in my practice, providing holistic support for exploring and releasing the mind, body, emotions, and soul. Beginning in early 2025, I will also offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) alongside art therapy for adolescents and adults.
CURRENTLY WORKING AT: as a school counsellor / arts therapist at Wellington College.
Not taking any new clients until 2025.
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Serena Stace Professional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (MNZAC), Registered Art Therapist (AThR), Professional Member Australia New Zealand Asia Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
Serena has a Masters degree in Art Therapy (including counselling papers) from La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia. Prior to her Masters, Serena trained and worked as a paediatric oncology nurse.
Serena has worked in Art Therapist and Counselling roles at Skylight, Cancer Society and her current workplace Te Omanga Hospice. Serena feels privileged to be able to walk alongside patients and their whānau (including children) who are grieving and provide support including in bereavement. Serena finds Art Therapy is particularly therapeutic for children who don’t always have ‘the words’ to explain their feelings.
Serena does not currently work in private practice but is available to share her knowledge about support for people of all ages who are grieving.
CONTACT: 027 353 4120, [email protected], www.serenastace.nz
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Serena has a Masters degree in Art Therapy (including counselling papers) from La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia. Prior to her Masters, Serena trained and worked as a paediatric oncology nurse.
Serena has worked in Art Therapist and Counselling roles at Skylight, Cancer Society and her current workplace Te Omanga Hospice. Serena feels privileged to be able to walk alongside patients and their whānau (including children) who are grieving and provide support including in bereavement. Serena finds Art Therapy is particularly therapeutic for children who don’t always have ‘the words’ to explain their feelings.
Serena does not currently work in private practice but is available to share her knowledge about support for people of all ages who are grieving.
CONTACT: 027 353 4120, [email protected], www.serenastace.nz
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Mary-Grace Williams
Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
Provisional Member Registered with New Zealand Association of Counsellors
Kia Ora, I completed my master’s in arts therapy at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in 2017. Before qualifying as a therapist, I had been using the arts in youth work and chaplaincy roles for over 10 years including: high school and university chaplaincy, leadership in residential young adult communities in NZ and UK,in youth development for PN City Council, theatre in education in the UK and teaching arts in Thailand to refugee children. The placements I held during my master’s study were;
working with adolescents and senior citizens with special needs, I also worked in a mainstream primary school with children aged 5 to 12 presenting with grief and anxiety, worked in the acute mental health in-patient unit at Wellington Hospital, Te Whare O Matairangi, and counselling adults at Catholic social services.
Currently working at: Private Practice
Contact Details: [email protected]
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Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
Provisional Member Registered with New Zealand Association of Counsellors
Kia Ora, I completed my master’s in arts therapy at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in 2017. Before qualifying as a therapist, I had been using the arts in youth work and chaplaincy roles for over 10 years including: high school and university chaplaincy, leadership in residential young adult communities in NZ and UK,in youth development for PN City Council, theatre in education in the UK and teaching arts in Thailand to refugee children. The placements I held during my master’s study were;
working with adolescents and senior citizens with special needs, I also worked in a mainstream primary school with children aged 5 to 12 presenting with grief and anxiety, worked in the acute mental health in-patient unit at Wellington Hospital, Te Whare O Matairangi, and counselling adults at Catholic social services.
Currently working at: Private Practice
Contact Details: [email protected]
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Sarah Nightingale
ARTFIX
Registered Arts Therapist (ANZACATA)
Registered Psychologist (NZPB, NZPS)
EMDR practitioner
Sandplay practitioner
ACC Registered Counsellor
ANZACATA approved supervisot
I work with children, young people and adults who suffer from anxiety, worry, loss, have experienced trauma or who struggle to control their anger. Using art as a counselling medium can be very helpful for people who feel unable to talk much about their experience. It is also an effective way of gaining insight into thoughts, feelings and experiences that lie at the heart of unhappiness. Likewise, EMDR is a very effective modality for overcoming trauma. Both Art Therapy and EMDR techniques can be combined to suit clients preffered way of working. I have many years experience working wtih neurodiverse children, young people and adults. I have worked in the past for a CAMHS service, in youth health, for WellStop and in schools. I also run art therapy and/or EMDR groups for children in schools to help them manage their feelings around difficult events and experiences.
Currently Working at: In prviate practice in central Wellington
Email: [email protected] Website: www.artfix.info
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ARTFIX
Registered Arts Therapist (ANZACATA)
Registered Psychologist (NZPB, NZPS)
EMDR practitioner
Sandplay practitioner
ACC Registered Counsellor
ANZACATA approved supervisot
I work with children, young people and adults who suffer from anxiety, worry, loss, have experienced trauma or who struggle to control their anger. Using art as a counselling medium can be very helpful for people who feel unable to talk much about their experience. It is also an effective way of gaining insight into thoughts, feelings and experiences that lie at the heart of unhappiness. Likewise, EMDR is a very effective modality for overcoming trauma. Both Art Therapy and EMDR techniques can be combined to suit clients preffered way of working. I have many years experience working wtih neurodiverse children, young people and adults. I have worked in the past for a CAMHS service, in youth health, for WellStop and in schools. I also run art therapy and/or EMDR groups for children in schools to help them manage their feelings around difficult events and experiences.
Currently Working at: In prviate practice in central Wellington
Email: [email protected] Website: www.artfix.info
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Anja Striepke
HeART and Soul Therapies
Registered Art therapist, Gestalt therapist and Counsellor
Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association( ANZACATA)
Provisional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (ProvMNZAC)
I am an Arts and Gestalt therapy practitioner in private practice. I am passionate about supporting adults to discover and claim their authentic and unique expression, which I facilitate through a combination of talking and creative exploration. Art therapy provides a beautiful gateway to our inner knowing and wisdom, which unfolds as we create. Gestalt therapy supports this process by acknowledging the importance of being witnessed and validated in this process. It emphasises non-judgemental ‘awareness’, and welcomes every aspect of you. I also facilitate therapy groups and workshops on art therapy and mindfulness. read full Profile
Currently Working at: my private practice HeART and Soul Therapies
Contact Details: M. 021 0227 2013 email Anja
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HeART and Soul Therapies
Registered Art therapist, Gestalt therapist and Counsellor
Member of Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association( ANZACATA)
Provisional Member New Zealand Association of Counsellors (ProvMNZAC)
I am an Arts and Gestalt therapy practitioner in private practice. I am passionate about supporting adults to discover and claim their authentic and unique expression, which I facilitate through a combination of talking and creative exploration. Art therapy provides a beautiful gateway to our inner knowing and wisdom, which unfolds as we create. Gestalt therapy supports this process by acknowledging the importance of being witnessed and validated in this process. It emphasises non-judgemental ‘awareness’, and welcomes every aspect of you. I also facilitate therapy groups and workshops on art therapy and mindfulness. read full Profile
Currently Working at: my private practice HeART and Soul Therapies
Contact Details: M. 021 0227 2013 email Anja
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Ffyona Matthews
I work with children and adults using Art therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Interactive Drawing Technique (IDT) with a parts approach, talk therapy, somatic methods, mindfulness and sand tray. I find these modalities, within a supportive therapeutic relationship, help people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, attachment and relationship struggles and who need to recover from traumatic experiences.
I create a safe, compassionate and accepting therapeutic relationship with an attachment understanding and work from the belief that having authentic and meaningful relationships, including with yourself, is important for good mental health.
I have been an art therapist for over 25 years. Using art as a way of working with difficulty can be very helpful for people who feel stuck or blocked and who need a concrete way of externalising their issues to help them to shift into a healthier place. Art can support people to be playful and playfulness supports trauma recovery. It can help access body and unconscious knowledge offering a different perspective and outlook. It supports people to actively work on their process and life. It is not important or necessary to have artistic skills. I use EMDR alongside art therapy, IDT and DDP and Sand tray with clients who have trauma to resolve as I find these blend well and allow me to respond to where clients need to be met in a client centred and supportive way.
BackgroundI have a BSocSoc from the University of Waikato where I majored in Psychology. I studied Art Therapy in London and gained a Masters in Art Therapy from Edith Cowen University, Perth, Australia (before art therapy was able to be studied in NZ). I initially worked in the Special needs area and then with teenagers at Starship Hospital. I worked at Te Omanga Hospice with patients and family members largely with children whose parent was ill. When my children were young, I worked privately with contracts with Oranga Tamariki, in schools, CREDS, at the Lower Hutt Women’s Centre and ran groups. I later worked for NGO WellStop as a Senior therapist working with children and young people who had harmful sexual behaviour. I now work 3 days a week at Whakamatutu which is a new centre to support adults recover from depression.
I have a special fondness in supporting neurodiverse people and parents raising neurodiverse children. I have particular interest in working with complex developmental trauma, attachment issues and those who have ADHD or ADHD symptoms. I have worked for Mental Health Services, with Sensitive Claims clients for ACC, for Te Omanga Hospice and for two NGOs.
Ffyona Matthews (She/her)
Arts Therapist/ Kaiwhakaora Toi
ACC Registered
(BSocSci, Maj Psych/ MA ATh ANZACATA)
E. [email protected]
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I work with children and adults using Art therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Interactive Drawing Technique (IDT) with a parts approach, talk therapy, somatic methods, mindfulness and sand tray. I find these modalities, within a supportive therapeutic relationship, help people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, attachment and relationship struggles and who need to recover from traumatic experiences.
I create a safe, compassionate and accepting therapeutic relationship with an attachment understanding and work from the belief that having authentic and meaningful relationships, including with yourself, is important for good mental health.
I have been an art therapist for over 25 years. Using art as a way of working with difficulty can be very helpful for people who feel stuck or blocked and who need a concrete way of externalising their issues to help them to shift into a healthier place. Art can support people to be playful and playfulness supports trauma recovery. It can help access body and unconscious knowledge offering a different perspective and outlook. It supports people to actively work on their process and life. It is not important or necessary to have artistic skills. I use EMDR alongside art therapy, IDT and DDP and Sand tray with clients who have trauma to resolve as I find these blend well and allow me to respond to where clients need to be met in a client centred and supportive way.
BackgroundI have a BSocSoc from the University of Waikato where I majored in Psychology. I studied Art Therapy in London and gained a Masters in Art Therapy from Edith Cowen University, Perth, Australia (before art therapy was able to be studied in NZ). I initially worked in the Special needs area and then with teenagers at Starship Hospital. I worked at Te Omanga Hospice with patients and family members largely with children whose parent was ill. When my children were young, I worked privately with contracts with Oranga Tamariki, in schools, CREDS, at the Lower Hutt Women’s Centre and ran groups. I later worked for NGO WellStop as a Senior therapist working with children and young people who had harmful sexual behaviour. I now work 3 days a week at Whakamatutu which is a new centre to support adults recover from depression.
I have a special fondness in supporting neurodiverse people and parents raising neurodiverse children. I have particular interest in working with complex developmental trauma, attachment issues and those who have ADHD or ADHD symptoms. I have worked for Mental Health Services, with Sensitive Claims clients for ACC, for Te Omanga Hospice and for two NGOs.
Ffyona Matthews (She/her)
Arts Therapist/ Kaiwhakaora Toi
ACC Registered
(BSocSci, Maj Psych/ MA ATh ANZACATA)
E. [email protected]
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Mara Elwood
I am an insatiable creative and believe strongly that creativity is a necessary part of balanced wellbeing. My approach is intuitive and invitational, letting us find the most easeful way for working with what concerns you. I invite you to try many different forms of creativity including visual arts, movement, writing, music and speech. I am trauma informed and have trained in the Felt Sense Polyvagal Method for treatment of trauma and addiction. I also have experience in Focusing Oriented Arts Therapy (FOAT), Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, and Level 2 training in Sand Tray and Symbol Work. Mindfulness and compassion inform everything I do and I am a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. I am also certified in the Mandala Assessment and Research Instrument (MARI). My practice is LGBTQIA+ friendly and I work with youth and adults 18+.
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING CLIENTS AT: The Dunes Practice in Lyall Bay. Please contact [email protected] to book an appointment.
CONTACT: Mara at [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.maraelwood.com
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I am an insatiable creative and believe strongly that creativity is a necessary part of balanced wellbeing. My approach is intuitive and invitational, letting us find the most easeful way for working with what concerns you. I invite you to try many different forms of creativity including visual arts, movement, writing, music and speech. I am trauma informed and have trained in the Felt Sense Polyvagal Method for treatment of trauma and addiction. I also have experience in Focusing Oriented Arts Therapy (FOAT), Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, and Level 2 training in Sand Tray and Symbol Work. Mindfulness and compassion inform everything I do and I am a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. I am also certified in the Mandala Assessment and Research Instrument (MARI). My practice is LGBTQIA+ friendly and I work with youth and adults 18+.
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING CLIENTS AT: The Dunes Practice in Lyall Bay. Please contact [email protected] to book an appointment.
CONTACT: Mara at [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.maraelwood.com
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Kirsty Strong
Artisan Arts Therapy – Create, Connect, Thrive
BA (Psychology), MAAT Hons (Clinical) AThR
Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA)
I provide counselling services utilising the expressive arts to support clients to build relationships, resilience and process their life experience in order to thrive. I have worked with children and young people with special needs, anxiety, trauma and those processing life transitions. I have a particular interest in providing creative processing
opportunities to support children, young people and their families/whanau to connect, understand and thrive in their life experience. Before training as an Arts Therapist I worked in the community sector in multiple roles, including developing and facilitating training opportunity programmes for young people and I am a practising artist
Currently working at: Artisan Arts Therapy in Private Practice in Miramar, Wellington
Contact Details: M. 275 722 165 email Kirsty
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Artisan Arts Therapy – Create, Connect, Thrive
BA (Psychology), MAAT Hons (Clinical) AThR
Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA)
I provide counselling services utilising the expressive arts to support clients to build relationships, resilience and process their life experience in order to thrive. I have worked with children and young people with special needs, anxiety, trauma and those processing life transitions. I have a particular interest in providing creative processing
opportunities to support children, young people and their families/whanau to connect, understand and thrive in their life experience. Before training as an Arts Therapist I worked in the community sector in multiple roles, including developing and facilitating training opportunity programmes for young people and I am a practising artist
Currently working at: Artisan Arts Therapy in Private Practice in Miramar, Wellington
Contact Details: M. 275 722 165 email Kirsty
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Louise Morton BA (criminology/sociology), PGDip(Tchg), MAAT(Clin)(Hons), AThR
Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA)
I am passionate about using the arts to support people to explore issues, overcome barriers and increase resilience. My clients and I work creatively, using a variety of arts modalities (including visual arts, dance/movement, drama and writing) within a strong therapeutic alliance to support the processes of meaning-making and change. I have experience working with a wide range of people who have found arts therapy useful for self-development, anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, interpersonal struggles, working through traumatic experiences and navigating grief, loss and change. I have also spent four years supporting survivors of sexual violence. This area remains a strong interest of mine, particularly helping people to re-
establish a sense of safety in their bodies through arts practices. I am a registered therapist for clients with ACC sensitive claims.
Currently Working At: I currently offer individual sessions for adults and adolescents from my private practice in Tawa, and warmly invite you to contact me to discuss how we might work together.
Contact Details: M. 020 4196 5093 email Louise see website
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Professional Member Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA)
I am passionate about using the arts to support people to explore issues, overcome barriers and increase resilience. My clients and I work creatively, using a variety of arts modalities (including visual arts, dance/movement, drama and writing) within a strong therapeutic alliance to support the processes of meaning-making and change. I have experience working with a wide range of people who have found arts therapy useful for self-development, anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, interpersonal struggles, working through traumatic experiences and navigating grief, loss and change. I have also spent four years supporting survivors of sexual violence. This area remains a strong interest of mine, particularly helping people to re-
establish a sense of safety in their bodies through arts practices. I am a registered therapist for clients with ACC sensitive claims.
Currently Working At: I currently offer individual sessions for adults and adolescents from my private practice in Tawa, and warmly invite you to contact me to discuss how we might work together.
Contact Details: M. 020 4196 5093 email Louise see website
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Marica Sevel
BSc, Trans. Cert Psychology, Dip. Teaching, MComms, MAAT (Clinical), AThR
Marica offers services online to individuals, groups, and workplace teams. She creates a supportive environment where clients can explore aspects of their well-being. Marica uses a variety of creative arts techniques with a special focus on mindful art practices and photography so clients can explore emotions and gain a deeper connection to their inner wisdom. Sessions are tailored to meet each client's unique needs, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and personal transformation.
Currently Working at: Private Practice, Marica Ševelj Well-Being
Contact: [email protected] 027 268 3331 Web site: maricasevelj.com
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BSc, Trans. Cert Psychology, Dip. Teaching, MComms, MAAT (Clinical), AThR
Marica offers services online to individuals, groups, and workplace teams. She creates a supportive environment where clients can explore aspects of their well-being. Marica uses a variety of creative arts techniques with a special focus on mindful art practices and photography so clients can explore emotions and gain a deeper connection to their inner wisdom. Sessions are tailored to meet each client's unique needs, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and personal transformation.
Currently Working at: Private Practice, Marica Ševelj Well-Being
Contact: [email protected] 027 268 3331 Web site: maricasevelj.com
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Negin Dastgheib
Masters in Arts Therapy, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons)
Registered Clinical Arts Therapist (ANZACATA)
ACC Registered
Salaam. I have a Masters in Arts Therapy from Whitecliffe college and a Bachelor of Fine Arts(hons) from Massey University. I have spent most of my adult life working as an artist and learning the deep healing potential art and creativity can provide. I have worked in a high school counselling service, university, retirement village and non-for-profit organisations as part of my placement requirements. The last year I have been working as an arts therapist in the mental health sector with a focus on developing an arts therapy role within an established organisation. I also have experience in the disability sector. I mostly work with visual art and the imagination yet I will encourage other modalities including nature-based to embody the experience. I am interested in the role of imagination as a tool to make sense of our internal realms and shift states. I am passionate about connecting individuals with their souls essence as a way to create empowerment and to find their own internal guidance systems. I use a client-led approach yet I will offer my own guidance and intuition when I feel it is appropriate.
Contact Details: email Negin see website
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Masters in Arts Therapy, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons)
Registered Clinical Arts Therapist (ANZACATA)
ACC Registered
Salaam. I have a Masters in Arts Therapy from Whitecliffe college and a Bachelor of Fine Arts(hons) from Massey University. I have spent most of my adult life working as an artist and learning the deep healing potential art and creativity can provide. I have worked in a high school counselling service, university, retirement village and non-for-profit organisations as part of my placement requirements. The last year I have been working as an arts therapist in the mental health sector with a focus on developing an arts therapy role within an established organisation. I also have experience in the disability sector. I mostly work with visual art and the imagination yet I will encourage other modalities including nature-based to embody the experience. I am interested in the role of imagination as a tool to make sense of our internal realms and shift states. I am passionate about connecting individuals with their souls essence as a way to create empowerment and to find their own internal guidance systems. I use a client-led approach yet I will offer my own guidance and intuition when I feel it is appropriate.
Contact Details: email Negin see website
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Belle Mayston
Provisional Member ANZACATA, BA (Psychology), MAAT (Clin) (Hons)
I am a newly graduated provisionally registered clinical creative arts therapist based in Wellington. I have completed recent placements with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Wellington Central providing one on one arts therapy to young people in crisis as well as group arts therapy sessions for young people, Kapiti Women’s Centre cofacilitating an arts therapy group, Enliven retirement home working with older adults with dementia and mobility issues and Whitecliffe University providing one on one creative arts therapy to students.
CURRENTLY WORKING AT: The Lower Hutt Women’s Centre providing one to one creative arts therapy sessions to Centre users as well as facilitating groups. I’m currently looking to take on contract work with organisations in the community as well as private one on one clients.
CONTACT: [email protected]
Provisional Member ANZACATA, BA (Psychology), MAAT (Clin) (Hons)
I am a newly graduated provisionally registered clinical creative arts therapist based in Wellington. I have completed recent placements with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Wellington Central providing one on one arts therapy to young people in crisis as well as group arts therapy sessions for young people, Kapiti Women’s Centre cofacilitating an arts therapy group, Enliven retirement home working with older adults with dementia and mobility issues and Whitecliffe University providing one on one creative arts therapy to students.
CURRENTLY WORKING AT: The Lower Hutt Women’s Centre providing one to one creative arts therapy sessions to Centre users as well as facilitating groups. I’m currently looking to take on contract work with organisations in the community as well as private one on one clients.
CONTACT: [email protected]
Sarah Rossiter (She/They)
Registered Arts Therapist, AThR, MACAT (Clinical) Hons, BFA
Member ANZACATA
Kia Ora, I’m a registered creative arts therapist currently working in Pōneke Wellington. I believe in the arts ability to heal and enable us to express ourselves where other outlets might fall short. The creative arts therapies encourage self-expression and foster exploration of our
awareness, encourage emotional growth, and enhance relationships with ourselves and others.
My approach is open and interactive. I bring my curiosity, honesty, and humanity to the therapeutic relationship. Therapy sessions are a collaboration between the client and myself. Together we can explore where you are and the difficulties that you may be experiencing.
Our sessions are centred around you and how you feel comfortable communicating. If you’re more comfortable with using talk therapy that’s a place we can start and then begin to explorecreative outlets together. For others more sensory and somatic tools may feel more comfortable.
Or you may embrace art making in our sessions to explore and become open to new understandings. There’s no art experience needed; everyone has the ability to express themselves in a creative way. Differing from traditional arts-making, in arts therapy the focus is
more on the process of creating and meaning-making, rather than on the final product. I work in a supportive and open way to encourage clients to express themselves authentically while working within their boundaries and in a way that feels safe and comfortable.
When seeking a therapist it’s important to find someone that can put you at ease and that you feel you can trust. I’m happy to discuss this with you, whether it feels like the right fit and answer any questions you might have.
I have most recently been working as a tutor and therapist at a community art studio with clients who have lived experience of mental illness and/ or disability. I’ve also been providing group and private arts therapy sessions to young people through multiple mental health services in Pōneke Wellington. I have over ten years’ experience working in mental health, the justice system, domestic violence, youth community programmes, residential care, respite and within crisis services in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
Areas of Special Interest
Anxiety
Depression
Mental Health
Grief and Loss
Exploring/ Affirming Gender
Family and relationships
Identity
Sense of self/ purpose
Trauma and PTSD
Currently taking private clients. Contract work in the community. ACC registered.
Contact details: [email protected]
Registered Arts Therapist, AThR, MACAT (Clinical) Hons, BFA
Member ANZACATA
Kia Ora, I’m a registered creative arts therapist currently working in Pōneke Wellington. I believe in the arts ability to heal and enable us to express ourselves where other outlets might fall short. The creative arts therapies encourage self-expression and foster exploration of our
awareness, encourage emotional growth, and enhance relationships with ourselves and others.
My approach is open and interactive. I bring my curiosity, honesty, and humanity to the therapeutic relationship. Therapy sessions are a collaboration between the client and myself. Together we can explore where you are and the difficulties that you may be experiencing.
Our sessions are centred around you and how you feel comfortable communicating. If you’re more comfortable with using talk therapy that’s a place we can start and then begin to explorecreative outlets together. For others more sensory and somatic tools may feel more comfortable.
Or you may embrace art making in our sessions to explore and become open to new understandings. There’s no art experience needed; everyone has the ability to express themselves in a creative way. Differing from traditional arts-making, in arts therapy the focus is
more on the process of creating and meaning-making, rather than on the final product. I work in a supportive and open way to encourage clients to express themselves authentically while working within their boundaries and in a way that feels safe and comfortable.
When seeking a therapist it’s important to find someone that can put you at ease and that you feel you can trust. I’m happy to discuss this with you, whether it feels like the right fit and answer any questions you might have.
I have most recently been working as a tutor and therapist at a community art studio with clients who have lived experience of mental illness and/ or disability. I’ve also been providing group and private arts therapy sessions to young people through multiple mental health services in Pōneke Wellington. I have over ten years’ experience working in mental health, the justice system, domestic violence, youth community programmes, residential care, respite and within crisis services in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
Areas of Special Interest
Anxiety
Depression
Mental Health
Grief and Loss
Exploring/ Affirming Gender
Family and relationships
Identity
Sense of self/ purpose
Trauma and PTSD
Currently taking private clients. Contract work in the community. ACC registered.
Contact details: [email protected]
Deirdre Reid
Registered Clinical Arts Therapist (ANZACATA) ACC Registered
Before graduating as an Arts Therapist in 2021, my background was in teaching. I have worked in a high school counselling service and Family Works. My current work involves working for ACC in sensitive claims and for Skylight Trust.
I enjoy working with children, teens and adults and have experience with trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief.
I work in a client-centred way, and will respond to what arises in the moment from what a client brings and wants to work on. I view the client as the expert in their life and am guided by their wisdom and personal preferences. I may offer prompts and suggestions as a starting point and to help anchor the client in a place where they can express what they want to explore. I am also comfortable talking instead if that is the preference.
The architecture of a session may involve some introductory talking, following by a warm-up activity, then the main arts-based exercise. Usually, a session ends with some harvesting of what was experienced, with possible linkages made to what was discussed at the start of the session and/or the client’s goals.
I also like to work with mindfulness-based practices that assist clients to access their body-based, somatic wisdom. I hold a holistic view of the world that recognises both seen and unseen dimensions of being.
CONTACT: M. 021 129 0701 or [email protected]
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Registered Clinical Arts Therapist (ANZACATA) ACC Registered
Before graduating as an Arts Therapist in 2021, my background was in teaching. I have worked in a high school counselling service and Family Works. My current work involves working for ACC in sensitive claims and for Skylight Trust.
I enjoy working with children, teens and adults and have experience with trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief.
I work in a client-centred way, and will respond to what arises in the moment from what a client brings and wants to work on. I view the client as the expert in their life and am guided by their wisdom and personal preferences. I may offer prompts and suggestions as a starting point and to help anchor the client in a place where they can express what they want to explore. I am also comfortable talking instead if that is the preference.
The architecture of a session may involve some introductory talking, following by a warm-up activity, then the main arts-based exercise. Usually, a session ends with some harvesting of what was experienced, with possible linkages made to what was discussed at the start of the session and/or the client’s goals.
I also like to work with mindfulness-based practices that assist clients to access their body-based, somatic wisdom. I hold a holistic view of the world that recognises both seen and unseen dimensions of being.
CONTACT: M. 021 129 0701 or [email protected]
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