Cart is empty Art Therapist, Counsellor & Group Facilitator
Supporting Children, Adolescents, Adults and Communities Through Creative Expression, Healing and Connection
Philosophy
Throughout my adult life I’ve been drawn to exploring the connections between creativity, meaning, and human connection. Through travel, study, therapeutic work, and ongoing personal reflection, I’ve come to appreciate how deeply our wellbeing is shaped by our relationships — with ourselves, with others, and with the stories we carry.
Over more than twenty years working in health and wellbeing settings, I’ve had the privilege of listening to people’s stories across many different cultures and life experiences. Sitting with these stories — particularly those of women navigating adversity, loss, and change — has deepened my respect for both the uniqueness of each person’s journey and the universal human needs we share for safety, dignity, belonging, and purpose.
I am especially interested in what helps people recover from life’s more challenging experiences — what restores hope, reconnects us to others, and allows healing to take place. Again and again, I see that when people feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported, something begins to shift. Creativity, reflection, and shared understanding can open new possibilities for healing and growth.
Creative expression plays an important role in my work. The arts offer a powerful way of exploring thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to put into words. Through image-making, movement, storytelling, and other creative processes, people often discover new insights and ways of understanding themselves and their experiences.
My work is influenced by a range of perspectives, including the trauma-informed work of Peter Levine, the reflective philosophy of Alain de Botton, as well as Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These approaches support a way of working that is compassionate, curious, and grounded in respect for each person’s lived experience.
At the heart of my practice is a belief in the importance of creativity, community, and connection. I aim to create spaces where people feel safe enough to explore their experiences, rediscover their strengths, and reconnect with what truly matters to them.
Therapeutic Approach
My therapeutic work integrates art therapy, counselling, and trauma-informed approaches in ways that respond to the individual needs of each person.
Art therapy provides a gentle and often deeply meaningful way to explore inner experiences. Creative processes can help people express feelings, memories, and insights that may otherwise remain difficult to articulate. For some clients, the act of creating becomes a way of processing experiences and making sense of their personal story.
Alongside arts-based methods, I draw on Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), supporting clients to explore the stories they hold about themselves and to reconnect with their values and strengths. These approaches encourage curiosity, reflection, and the possibility of developing new perspectives.
I work with both individuals and groups. In group settings, shared creative experiences can foster connection, mutual understanding, and a sense of community. In individual sessions, I aim to provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients can move at their own pace.
With children and young people, creative work often provides a natural and engaging way to explore emotions, develop regulation skills, and build confidence. With adults, my work may involve exploring life transitions, trauma recovery, identity, and personal meaning.
Across all areas of my work, I aim to meet people with warmth, openness, and respect for the complexity of their experiences.
Areas of Interest
- Supporting children with ADHD, ASD, and trauma presentations
- Arts-based therapy for emotional healing and self-expression
- Women’s wellbeing across the lifespan
- Trauma recovery and narrative healing
- Group programs that foster connection and community
- Creative approaches for anxiety, hoarding, and emotional overwhelm
- Inclusive and supportive spaces for neurodivergent expression
- Community initiatives that promote health, creativity, and wellbeing
Qualifications
- Master of Experiential & Creative Arts Practice – MIECAT Institute, Melbourne (2014)
- Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy – MIECAT Institute (2002)
- Diploma of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Healing – Accredited by AHHA (1998)
Professional Memberships
Clinical Member – Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Professional Member – Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
Professional Background
For more than a decade, Carolyn has worked as an Art Therapist and counsellor across a wide range of settings, including schools, community organisations, family violence services, and multidisciplinary allied health teams.
Her work has included developing and facilitating creative wellbeing programs in primary and secondary schools, providing individual arts-based counselling for children and young people, and supporting adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, and complex life challenges.
Carolyn has also worked extensively within community and multicultural settings. Through organisations such as inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, she facilitated therapeutic groups for women from diverse cultural backgrounds, creating spaces for recovery, connection, and collective support.
More recently, she worked as a Senior Art Therapist, Counsellor, Team Leader, and Clinical Supervisor at Eastern Therapy Hub, supporting a multidisciplinary team of practitioners and contributing to the development of arts-based therapeutic programs within allied health settings.
Throughout her career, Carolyn has undertaken additional training in a range of approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed creative interventions, Clay Field Therapy, and expressive arts techniques. These have complemented her work in narrative, multimodal, and body-centred therapies, further strengthening her ability to support clients across the lifespan.
Individual consultation (60 or 90 mins)
Tania Vigona: 60min or 90min
Roberta Mantineo: 60min
NDIS self-managed
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioners & Touch Therapists
- Registered with SETI, ANZACATA & ACA level 4
- Active assist in the Somatic Experiencing Australia Trainings
- Somatic Experiencing Personal Session & Case Consult provider for all levels; Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced