About

Hello! My name is Louise Weston. Thank you for finding my page. I am located in the leafy outer suburbs of Naarm on Wurundjeri Country in Warranwood and have always felt close and connected to the Yarra river running through Warrandyte. It resets, replenishes and refuels my soul when I walk alongside it weekly with my puppy and hubby.

Other than Art Therapy, I love the little rituals that keep me balanced and help me reset so that I can show up for my clients and provide boundaries and care for myself. These also help protect my various chronic health issues and keep me Neurobalanced!

I live for my weekly yoga class with tranquil lake views and an instructor who leaves me feeling centred and ready to take on the week again. I also go dancing in the dark as often as I can as an energetic and somatic release and find pure joy in this. Other than that I love to collage, paint, draw, make a mess and anything that involves family and friends.

I wish to acknowledge the Traditional custodians of the land on which we learn and live, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

I am grateful to currently find myself in an extremely fulfilling workspace.

My journey into Art Therapy came about from a desire to connect and create insights and meaning with people across the life span.

Starting with an Advanced Diploma in transpersonal art therapy to dip my toe in the water, I am grateful for the holistic and phenomenological approaches to entering this expansive field. With that, I then completed my Master of Art Therapy and Counselling from La Trobe University, predominantly in lockdown during a global pandemic.

I’m hopeful that the lived experience of studying during challenging times will in turn help me connect with the experiences of others’ particularly young folk who have endured the same. I use the word endured, because I can’t even be modest, it challenged many parts of me! Perhaps it’s because I’m in my Autumn years? Or perhaps it was too isolating? 

True change and growth comes from using your lived experience which I too have done throughout this pilgrimage. Another inspiration by Carl Jung about ‘the wounded healer’: “it is his own hurt that gives the measure of his power to heal”.
 
With a love of all things art, I see the wide range of benefits it brings and sits between creating workshops that are art-based, and offering art for therapeutic outcomes and mental health.
 
I support diversity and authenticity and encourage clients to be their true selves in a person-centered, strengths-based, neuro-affirming humanistic way. A mouthful I know but there’s simply no point being anyone else, as I believe it manifests in other ways. I’m also a big believer in focusing on our strengths to set us up for success. Where there is success there is an opportunity for growth, change, and healing. The ripple effect from this is unmeasurable! This needs to begin in our kids so that they can navigate life with insight and awareness.

I have been particularly proud of the contribution I have made for kids with diverse needs and abilities as well as their carers. I could provide insight into possible challenges with regards to avoiding or seeking certain sensory needs as well as awareness of concepts such as theory of mind or executive functioning to those working with them. I have used my insights and own lived experience to establish connections with them to help them build on their strengths as well as advocate for their needs where necessary.

As a neurodivergent family in a clinical and often deficit-based world, I often found myself turning the conversation around to highlight my children’s strengths over weaknesses. Perceived weaknesses at that to conform to others’ ideas of the ‘norm’. This became debilitating, depressing, and exhausting so I found myself constantly advocating to change restricted views. By connecting with other parents going through similar or even more challenging experiences, my understanding of neurodivergence continues to grow.

My lived experience plays a large role in how I go about weaving my values into my work. I have personal stories of the mental health we have encountered and our ongoing management. As a family, we have always used art as our therapy of choice.

Many moons ago I also wrote and illustrated a children’s book “Dark clouds over Sunbeam” which is a story of acceptance and understanding. This too was very much a part of my discovery of art therapy and helping others. Some of my greatest achievements include presenting my book to Sister Margaret Noone – Founder of Very Special Kids; having my book read by Paralympian Louise Savage and presenting it to children in primary schools.

I currently work with one on one clients as well as running groups with kids, youths, women, neurodivergence, and aged care. My clients vary in needs and abilities and fit under a wide and wonderful spectrum of physical, mental, and emotional health. It is an honour and a privilege to journey alongside my clients on their road to self-discovery.

My ultimate goal is to support families and individuals to live their best authentic lives with a sense of balance and wellbeing.

With a solid and unwavering background in art and design, I have dedicated over 25 years of experience working in many varied areas of this field. From this experience, I learned the importance of authenticity, uniqueness, dedication, reliability, and passion. I started as an illustrator (BC!), worked in design, marketing, publishing, and advertising, and ran my own business for 12 years with my sisters, which brought about an array of knowledge, client relationships, plus vast and even worldly experiences.

I use the art for my own therapeutic benefits as well as creating with and for others. Since becoming an art therapist, my art has changed considerably and I create for many different reasons, including managing chronic illness and pain. I feel my way around and into the art and love nothing more than witnessing others doing the same.

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

+ Master of Art Therapy – La Trobe University 
+ Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) – Monash University
+ Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy – Ikon Institute
+ Art Therapy Diploma – Health and Harmony – Ongoing PD in progress
+ Autism MOOC – Swinburne
+ License to Think – Autism, Anxiety & the A.R.T. of Body Cognition – Holly Bridges – 2019
+ Getting creative with Trauma workshop – Carla Van Laar | 2019
+ Art Therapy First Aid – Carla Van Laar | 2019
+ Certificate of completion | Health Records Act | 2020
+ Certificate of completion | COVID-19 infection control training | 2020
+ Certificate of completion | MHPOD Working with people with Borderline Personality Disorder| 2020
+ Certificate of completion | MHPOD Bio-psychosocial factors | 2020
+ Certificate of completion | MHPOD Recovery based practice| 2020
+ Certificate of completion | MHPOD Psychosocial interventions| 2020
+ Certificate of completion | Communicating with people with Aphasia in healthcare contexts | 2020
+ Certificate of Competency | Australia Wide First Aid | First Aid, basic emergency life support and CPR | 2022
+ Understanding PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance | InTune Pathways – Kristy Forbes | 2022 (in progress)
+ InTune with PDA: Pathological | InTune Pathways – Kristy Forbes | 2022 (in progress)
+ Tools for thriving in everyday life with PDA | InTune Pathways – Kristy Forbes | 2022 (in progress)
+ A closer look at Autism, anxiety and demand avoidance | InTune Pathways – Kristy Forbes | 2022 (in progress)
+ Reframing Language, communication & connection for anxious, demand avoidant children | InTune Pathways – Kristy Forbes | 2022 (in progress)
+ ADHD and Autistic minds conference | Yellow Ladybugs. | 2022
+ ADHD and Autistic minds conference | Yellow Ladybugs. | 2023
+ ADHD and Autistic minds conference | Yellow Ladybugs. | 2024
+ Creative Mental Health and Self Care Retreat | Carla van Laar | 23
+ Creative Mental Health and Collective Care Retreat | Carla van Laar | 24

WORK + EXPERIENCE:

+ Creating Insights Art Therapy – Groups + 1:1 sessions + NDIS – ie kids; teens; adults; all abilities | 2017- Current
+ Mullum Rd Clinic – Individual Art Therapy across the lifespan – 2022-24
+ EACH – Community health, mental health, parent/child dyads, trauma, family violence, early education | 2021-22
+ ACA – Autism Camp Australia – Designing and facilitating groups for Autistic young folk and siblings | 2021-2023
+ Aged care – Groups of 4-10 residents – ie dementia; depression – 2018-19
+ Respite/hospice – Groups – ie all abilities; trauma – CATA; Very Special Kids; Sony Camp; Kids in Philanthropy
+ Schools – Programs + individual – ie all abilities; anxiety; trauma; bullying; self-confidence; wellness – placement
+ The Austin Hospital SECU – ie Mental health, trauma, substance abuse, personality disorders – placement
+ Box Hill CYMHS – ie Adolescent mental health, identity, trauma, LGBTQI+, suicidal ideation – placement
+ Book – presenting my experience of writing and illustrating my own children’s book to primary schools
+ Art Therapy facilitator for EACH Community Health and Wellbeing team workshop
+ Guest Speaker for Maroondah ‘Communities of Wellbeing’ | “Diversity” theme | May 2023
+ Art Therapist for The Song Room Kaleidoscope 10 week program at St Peter and Pauls Primary School
+ Co hosting an Art Therapy and wellness group | retreat with Walk With Wisdom 
+ Fat Moon Podcast with Kirsty Greene | Greene Moon Studios 2023
+ The Autistic Therapist | Therapist inclusion in book – ‘The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy – 2023

MOMENTS:

+ Self-published children’s book ‘Dark Clouds Over Sunbeam’ – A story of acceptance and understanding
+ Feature in ‘Leader’ Newspaper ‘Taking Art Therapy to Heart’ – Sessions focus on the positive impact of creative play – an article about my studio and work as an Art Therapist
+ Feature in ‘Leader’ Newspaper ‘Draw for Dan’ – A family effort (utilising my very talented children) to draw to raise money for a vital operation for my nephew Dan
+ Feature as Student Art Therapist in the Austin Health newsletter
+ Pinch pot workshop. Helping to make 300 pots to contribute to the Edna Walling exhibition at art space//realm with Heather Hesterman
+ Wyreena ‘bird’ clay creations as a permanent installation to the entrance to community gate
+ Raising money and awareness for Autism amongst various platforms
+ Sponsor for Variety Fox FM #200kfor200kids Luna Park Christmas event
+ Hosting “Pathways for Carers” walk – Maroondah 2019

DOCUMENTS:

+ PACFA Clinical member 30647 ( See below for Private Health rebate details)
+ ANZACATA Professional Member 55812777
+ Current working with children check
+ NDIS worker screening
+ Police check 
+ Insurance

To use PACFA Clinical Member 30647  for Private Health Funds

A key part of PACFA’s advocacy has been successfully negotiating agreements with some of Australia’s largest health funds, who recognise the high level of skill that PACFA members hold. This means more Australians are able to access affordable mental health care.

If you are a client who holds Private Health Insurance with extras cover, you may be able to claim benefits for counselling and psychotherapy services provided by you. You will need to check with your health fund as to whether they are eligible for rebates.

Currently, PACFA has agreements with Medibank, ahm, Bupa, HCF, and ARHG (encompassing St Luke’s Health, Police Health, GMHBA, Emergency Services Health, Phoenix Health, see-u by HBF (previously CUA), AIA Health, Mildura Health, Teachers Union Health, Teachers Health, Nurses & Midwives Health and Unihealth)

 

 

 

 

  • PACFA Clinical Member 30647
  • ANZACATA Professional Member 55812777

 

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Gallery images (in no particular order): Children’s book presentations. Communities of Wellbeing ‘Diversity in Art Therapy’ presentation. Meeting Mirka Mora. Draw4Dan. Little book launch. Artynoon. Wyreena community gate project. Leader-News article. Edna Walling pinch pot exhibition, ArtSpace Realm. Very Special Kids respite & book presentation. Carers special people art. *Images used with permission and best intentions. If you have any queries about image use please contact me directly. All Images remain the property of Louise Weston.