December Newsletter
Hello,
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve shared through this newsletter. It has been a privilege to offer insights and resources to fellow practitioners and clients, and I deeply value the opportunity to merge Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Art Therapy—two modalities that complement one another so beautifully.
What continues to resonate with me is the power of support—a cornerstone of healing and growth. Whether in SE training, supervision groups, or individual sessions, support fosters safety and deep healing. I feel honoured to provide this for my clients and peers while also being supported by your engagement and enthusiasm for integrating SE principles into your work.
Let’s embrace the opportunity for continued learning and growth as we look ahead to next year and the next chapter of our professional journeys.
Warm regards, Tania
Navigating Change:
The Vital Role of Art Therapy in the NDIS Landscape
Dear Colleagues,
What a situation Art Therapy finds itself in. Recent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have brought Art Therapy into sharp focus, with significant reductions in funding for individual sessions under the new classification. As practitioners, we find ourselves at a crossroads, tasked with both understanding and addressing the implications of this decision.
In my practice, I continually marvel at the profound changes clients experience when engaging in Art Therapy. It delivers care in a way that is both unique and deeply attuned to our shared human experience. Art Therapy works on an implicit, often non-verbal level, offering a path forward for individuals navigating complex constellations of symptoms and life crises. Its power lies in addressing what is often left unsaid—those layers of experience that other modalities may struggle to reach.
The broader public often underestimates the value of non-verbal therapies, largely because they are harder to measure. Yet, decades of research in human development show us that the most formative years of our lives are predominantly non-verbal. When these early experiences are misattuned or undermined, developmental trauma can manifest in profound ways later in life. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study is a stark reminder of this, linking early neglect and abuse to long-term health issues. Art Therapy uniquely addresses these developmental wounds, fostering healing and resilience that ripple through an individual’s life and community.
The recent reclassification of Art Therapy under the community participation category by the NDIS, coupled with a significant reduction in funding for individual sessions, threatens to erode these benefits. This blunt and sudden shift risks re-traumatising vulnerable clients who rely on Art Therapy as a safe and effective means of care. From a trauma-informed perspective, this decision may undo years of progress, extending the distress of those we aim to support.
I believe the broader issue is the ongoing challenge of achieving formal recognition alongside other health professions under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Such recognition could potentially reduce our dependence on NDIS funding and legitimise public funding for Art Therapy, ensuring its proper integration within clinical settings.
For me, Art Therapy offers a human-centred approach that prioritises connection, acceptance, and the nuanced needs of individuals. In stark contrast, the systemic nature of these changes leans heavily toward individualism and separateness, potentially exacerbating mental health conditions and ultimately costing more in the long term. By sidelining such a transformative modality, we risk sidelining the very individuals who need it most.
At its core, Art Therapy transcends traditional therapeutic boundaries. It is not simply a method of care but a catalyst for stability, functionality, and growth. When clients find expression and healing through art, they re-enter the world as contributors—engaged with their families, communities, and society at large. This is the true measure of success, and one that non-verbal therapies uniquely enable.
As we navigate this period of change, it is vital to act thoughtfully yet decisively. Share this message with peers and stakeholders if you can. Perhaps engage with petitions advocating for greater recognition and funding for Art Therapy. Maybe write to your local representatives to highlight the transformative power of Art Therapy and its crucial place within the NDIS framework. Every bit of advocacy helps.
Together, we can ensure that Art Therapy continues to serve those who benefit most, delivering care that is as nuanced and unique as the individuals we support.
Warm regards,
Tania
What's Happening at ITT
Supervision Updates
December 5th: Online Group Supervision
Join us for our final Online Group Supervision session of the year.
Participants in these sessions consistently highlight the unique value they gain from being part of this supportive group. One standout aspect is the power of art-making as a tool for insight and understanding. As practitioners, we often focus on facilitating creativity for others, but it's equally vital to engage in it ourselves for our own well-being and nourishment.
Take this opportunity to reconnect with your creative practice, deepen your understanding, and foster self-care alongside like-minded professionals. Keep creating—for yourself and your clients!
Looking ahead to 2025, group supervision sessions will resume with new dates. Stay tuned!
👉 Explore Supervision Opportunities Here
Professional Development
Using Art Therapy to Explore Shame
When: Friday, December 6th
Where: Online
Investment: $295 + GST
Shame can be deeply challenging for both practitioners and clients. This workshop explores shame through the Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal frameworks, equipping you with tools to work with shame safely and effectively. Together, we’ll integrate art therapy to foster repair and resilience.
Book Here
Exciting New Offerings for 2025
New Programs:
ITT Exploration of Boundaries course online & in person day workshop
SE skills for life online course
Sustainable support for practitioners Online
Accelerated Trauma Mandala, Therapeutic in person group
Returning Programs:
Online Professional Development Understanding Complex Trauma; Applying Art therapy, Somatic Nervous System Principles and Support for you as the practitioner
Online Professional Development Using Art Therapy to Explore Shame: Understand how Shame presents in the nervous system, its function and how to support repair
Online group supervision
Full details and dates will be available soon—stay tuned
Creative C Workshop Highlights
Upcoming Workshops at Creative C (Dec & Jan 2025):
Art and Soul
Mandala Meditations - Book Here
Large Scale Expressive Drawing Event – A liberating and playful way to connect with your body through art - Book Here
For practitioners or clients interested in creative offerings, these workshops range from skill development to self-reflective art therapy experiences.
Studio Hire
The Creative C studio is available for hireon Thursdays, weeknights, and evenings for workshops, therapysessions, or group gatherings.
Perfect for:
Creative Therapies
Allied Health & Counselling
Art Classes & Mindfulness Sessions
Meetings, Supervision, and more
Includes: Waiting room, kitchenette, extensive art supplies,and space for up to 20 participants.
https://www.creativec.com.au/room-hire-copy
Check out the ITT Resource Page
There is a selection of resources on the ITT resource page that maybe useful to you or your clients:
https://www.integratedtraumatherapy.com.au/resources
Have a look at the Creative C too:
https://www.creativec.com.au
The CC has studio hire for events on the weekends or evenings during the week.
Thank you for reading.
Take care,
Tania
