About Me
Hello! My name is Louise Weston. Thank you for finding my page. I am located in the 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.
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.
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?
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
WORK + EXPERIENCE:
+ Studio – Groups + 1:1 sessions – ie kids; teens; adults; all abilities | Current
+ EACH – Community health, mental health, parent/child dyads, trauma, family violence, early education | Current
+ Aged care – Groups of 4-10 residents – ie dementia; depression – 18 months
+ 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
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:
+ Current working with children check
+ NDIS worker screening
+ Police check
+ ANZACATA professional member
+ HTA registered member
+ ACA member
+ Insurance
Gallery images (in no particular order): Children’s book presentations. 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.
Below: 1: Leader Newspaper “Taking Art Therapy to Heart”. 2: Leader Newspaper “Family draws on support”. 3: Austin Health. Art Therapy News on placement at the Austin Hospital’s Secure Extended Care Unit (SECU)
