What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses visual art media as its mode of communication. Art therapy is an alternative to talking-based psychological therapies, as it encourages individuals to express and understand emotions, resolve issues and improve self-awareness without using words as the primary vehicle. Expressing yourself creatively though visual art aids the healing process by surfacing meaning. Art making provides an opportunity to connect with the unconscious which can foster increased self-awareness. In this way, lived experience can be explored, including both positive and negative effects enabling the opportunity for healing.
No art skill or experience is required.
All art materials supplied.
Sessions are delivered in person at our premises in Castlemaine, Victoria, and in client’s homes in central Victoria by arrangement, or online across Australia.
One-on-One Art Therapy Sessions
Embark on a personalised journey of one-on-one art therapy sessions with an expert art therapist.
We provide a safe space for self-expression and exploration, fostering happiness and healing while you extend your art making process through various art mediums.
You’ll be supported to explore a wide range of therapeutic modalities, ensuring a comprehensive and individualised approach for each client based on your strengths and interests.
What can art therapy do?
Support sensory integration in neuro-divergent people (Autism, ADHD etc)
Relieve stress and anxiety
Increase relaxation
Support trauma processing (PTSD)
Support emotional regulation
Grow self-esteem and activate hopes
How do I get it started?
Call Gretchen on 0410062846 for a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your or your client’s needs and expectations, to make sure we are the right therapeutic fit.
You can also send us an email at gretchen@artlytherapy.com.
Artly Therapy is a Registered NDIS Service Provider.
We facilitate art therapy sessions with adults, adolescents and children aged 7 and over. Children under 7 years can access the program if they are self-managed or plan managed.
All our therapists hold a current Working with Children Check and Police Check.
Currently art therapists are not Medicare or Healthcare fund recognised practitioners so unfortunately no rebate is available.
How do we work?
We offer a free 30 minute phone call to hear more about your specific circumstances to ascertain your hopes and expectation for art therapy and see whether we’d be a good therapeutic fit. We work with individual clients on a 6 month, 12 month, or ongoing basis. This is agreed upon at the start, so we can design the best program for you.
Our work with you includes:
Development of a bespoke program to suit your specific needs
Face-to-face Art therapy sessions - usually 60 minutes long.
Case note writing after each session - usually 30 minutes.
Art materials
Archiving of art works created (if needed)
Therapy plan (if needed)
Report writing (if needed).
Meet your Therapist
Gretchen Hillhouse
Gretchen Hillhouse is a Neuro-Associative clinician and the director of Artly Therapy. She holds a postgraduate degree in Visual Art and has over 30 years’ experience of award-winning arts practice and 10 years’ experience of therapeutic practice.
Gretchen is an accredited practitioner of Time Line Therapy, Hypnotic Languaging, Extend DISC, Neuro-Associative Conditioning and is an internationally certified Master of Neuro-Linguistic Practice. A fully qualified and internationally certified Life Coach, Business Coach and Leadership Coach, Gretchen’s approach is holistic and often combines aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Neuro-associative Life Coaching with somatic Art Therapy.
Gretchen has a particular interest in supporting sensory integration in neuro-diverse clients on the Autism spectrum and with ADHD. Her work is informed by lived experience supporting neuro-diverse family members (Autism and ADHD) as well as her own experience as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
With history of working with clients who have experienced torture and complex trauma; clients who are differently abled, or for whom English is a second language; Gretchen is highly skilled at working with people from varied backgrounds. She brings an intersectional focus to her work, acknowledging that we are all informed by our varied positions within the dominant culture and that racial and gendered norms play an integral part in shaping our individual experience of the world.