A leader
in creative
therapies

Simona Weinstein

Founder and Principal Art Therapist

BA (Psych), BB (Acc), Dip ArtTh, MArtTher, ANZACATA

Simona is a qualified and experienced creative psychotherapist, who specialises in Art Therapy. She is an innovator in the field, whose work has been published widely. Simona has studied, lectured and practiced both in Australia and internationally. Her clients range from the Australian Government to specialised mental health facilities, schools, and corporate organisations, where her work extends into exploring individual accountabilities and group dynamics in corporate settings.

Natalie Baron

Animal & Art Therapist

BA (Psych), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Natalie has a compassionate therapeutic approach working with children,
adolescents, adults and geriatrics in individual sessions and groups. She has worked in private and specialist public hospitals, mental health facilities and schools, psychoncology and palliative care.

Considering the individual needs of her clients, Natalie supports exploring experiences and feelings not easily expressed in words, to find meaning, de-stress, improve self esteem and social skills, and develop mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Natalie is a professional member of ANZACATA The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association.

Winnie

Fully-Trained Therapy Dog

Golden Labrador x English Cocker Spaniel

Winnie is our fully trained Assistance Dog, here to help people with mobility needs, autism or post-traumatic stress. She offers emotional support, great company and she can soothe your symptoms related to mental and physical disabilities. She’s a beautiful cocker spaniel x golden labrador with a gentle loving temperament. Winnie would love to meet you!

Luke Elliot

Art & Movement Therapist

M (AThR), M (PerfA), ANZACATA

Luke is a creative arts therapist and actor with thirty years’ experience in connecting and expressing through art and performance. He brings particular skills in these areas to help others inquire into their lives and relationships and identify through reflection and shared experiencing, past influencial experiences and behavioural patterns that lead to self awareness, meaning making and future wellness.

Luke has a Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice from MIECAT (Melbourne Institute of Experiential Creative Arts Therapy) and a Masters in Performimg Arts from the VCA (Victorian College of the Arts). He is a professional member of ANZACATA and GRAT (Group of Registered Regional Art Therapists).

Nicole Braniff

Art Therapist

DipEd (Primary), GradDip (Sp. Ed.), Masters AThR, ANZACATA

Nicole has worked in Youth Mental Health, in the Community and Youth Mental Health Sector. She has supported young people with a range of mental health challenges such as personality and eating disorders, anxiety, ADHD, depression and ASD. Prior to this, Nicole worked as a teacher for 16 years (Primary & Secondary Special Ed), gaining exposure to a range of different disabilities and behavioural issues.  Nicole spent 3 years studying and teaching in China.  After returning to Australia, Nicole had several years as an advocate for people with disabilities from non-English speaking backgrounds and in employment support for people with disabilities. Nicole utilises Art Therapy programs to assist people to develop coping strategies that incorporates a client-based, trauma-informed and recovery approach to exploring art making with clients and supporting them to work towards improved general wellbeing.  Nicole is a professional member of ANZACATA and The Victorian Teachers Assoc. 

Juliette Goodall

Art Therapist & Social Worker

D (VisArts), BA (SW), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Juliette has 20 years’ combined experience working as an art therapist, social worker and counsellor. She has worked in a wide range of human service organisations including Windana Drug Detox unit, Rumbalara Co-op, Southern Mental Health Association, Monash Medical Mental Health Services, Taskforce Drug and Alcohol services, Uniting Age Well, Odyssey House Victoria, Turning Point and the Department of Health and Human Services. She has worked with a diverse range of clients with mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, women experiencing domestic violence, childhood trauma, dementia, and with Aboriginal communities.

Juliette delivers individual and group art therapy sessions which offer relief and insight into an individual’s issues. Art therapy offers a gentle approach in a safe environment for a person to explore deep personal issues without having to retell their story or relive their trauma. Art therapy can be instrumental in placing the onus of choice and control back into the hands of the individual to navigate their own unique journey of discovery and recovery.

Ronen Shoshan

Counsellor and Musician

DipCounselling & BA (Psych) current

As a counsellor and musician, Ronen uses creativity as a vehicle of self-expression that can vary from drumming, spoken word, drama, games, creative writing and storytelling. During his 11 years of teaching, facilitating, and counselling, he had the honour of working with thousands of primary and high school students, and learnt about their personalities, dreams, and struggles. Ronen’s openness and ability to create rapport assists him in creating a safe and calm environment for the diversity of clients he has worked with. Ronen has a Diploma in Counselling from ACAP and currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology.

Kira Zeldin

Art Therapist

BA (Art), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Kira is a passionate and empathetic, Masters degree-qualified Art Therapist, with experience working with a wide range of clients, including children, adolescents, and adults.

She has worked in assisted living, psychiatric facilities, schools, and youth support programmes. She has helped individuals struggling with a variety of concerns, including high levels of distress, anxiety, depression, grief, complex trauma, AOD use, eating disorders and psychotic symptoms.

Kira also has a strong passion and interest in the diversity and uniqueness of clients and takes pride in supporting people from culturally diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities.

Kira believes in the transformative power of creativity to help individuals work through a range of emotional and psychological challenges. Her person-centred approach allows her to tailor therapy to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Through a variety of art materials and techniques, Kira creates a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. Her warmth and compassion allow clients to feel seen and heard, and her expertise in art therapy techniques allows her to guide clients through the creative process.

Through art therapy, Kira helps individuals develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and discover new ways of coping with life’s challenges.

Sophie

Administrative Assistant

Sophie is a healthcare assistant who has worked with various healthcare professionals and clients. As a licensed Occupational Therapist, she had worked at the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of St. Lukes Medical Center Quezon City and St Lukes Medical Center Bonifacio Global City. She did her internship at the Philippines General Hospital. After working in the hospital setting, Sophia worked as an administrative assistant for a psychology clinic based in Sydney, Australia. She has a passion for helping provide quality service to all our clients.

Natalia Ford

Art Therapist

WA/Online BA (Art), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Natalia is a qualified art therapist, with a Masters in Art Therapy and a Masters in Fine Arts. She has worked in AOD residences and other mental health facilities, addressing Substance Use Disorder, PTSD and complex psychiatric disorders.  Natalia runs children’s workshops, mothers’ groups and other community groups and retreats. Following her journalist work on TV in Greece, Natalia moved to Australia and began supporting NDIS participants using creative arts therapies. She is now developing an art therapy intervention incorporating classical mindfulness, neurodevelopment and DBT. Based in Western Australia in the beautiful region of Margaret River, she is a founding board member of the NFP Margaret River Art Collective that aims to provide affordable space and support for artistic creations in the area.  Apart from in-person art therapy sessions Natalia also offers online art therapy.

Erica Gates

Dance Movement Therapist

BA (Psych), BB (HRM), M (DMT) ANZACATA

Erica brings a unique blend of expertise in dance and psychology to her practice as a Dance Movement Therapist. With a Masters from Melbourne University, she is passionate about helping individuals navigate their emotional and physical well-being through the transformative medium of dance.

Erica believes in the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit, and utilises a holistic approach in her therapeutic sessions. Through guided movement explorations, expressive arts, and mindfulness techniques, she creates a safe and nurturing space for clients to explore, heal, and grow.

Erica empowers her clients to discover new pathways to self-expression, resilience, and inner harmony, whilst working with children, older adults, and everyone in between. Erica is a professional member of ANZACATA and holds a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy as well as a Bachelor of Psychology and Business.

Bess Grant

Art Therapist

Dip (MH), Dip (AOD), AdvDip (AThR Couns), ACA

Bess Grant is an Expressive Arts Counsellor whose passion is to engage teens and adults in therapy that feels good, is progressive and wholistic, and sees changes for the better in a person’s positivity, self-esteem, connectedness, and health.

Using arts-based methods, Bess is a companion to clients through a process that is designed to clarify what it is that needs attention in their life, to explore any roadblocks in their paths and to help them to reframe difficulties into challenges that they’re prepared to face and overcome.

Bess is currently working with people from a year old to 105 years old (!), focusing on grief, trauma, AOD use, family violence, transition, anxiety, self-esteem and gender identity, sexuality, and mid-life.

She is studying her Masters in Creative Arts Practice and holds an Advanced Diploma of Therapeutic Arts in Counselling, a Diploma of Mental Health and a Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Amy Pollock

Art Therapist

B (Nursing), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Amy (she/her) is a creative arts therapist and registered nurse with a range of experience across hospitals, correctional facilities, and community settings in both Australia and the USA.  Amy is passionate about the role the creative process can have in healing and self-discovery and acknowledges that this journey looks different for everyone. Valuing the uniqueness of all individuals, Amy offers a compassionate person-centered approach to therapeutic art sessions, always aiming to create an environment that feels safe and supportive. 

Amy holds a Master of Therapeutic Arts Practice (MIECAT), Bachelor of Nursing (ACU) and is a professional member of both ANZACATA and AHPRA. 

Yvonne Cui

Music Therapy

B (Music), M (MT), ANZACATA

Yvonne has studied music therapy since 2012 and has over 10 years of experience in various settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and special schools. She is passionate about creativity, self-expression and quality of life through music for older adults, preschool and school-aged children. Yvonne is a native speaker of Cantonese and Mandarin and also speaks fluent English.

Anna Cardamone

Art Therapist

AdvDip (Textiles Manuf), B (FA), M (AThR), ANZACATA

Anna is passionate about art therapy as a means of supporting people in a variety of settings with their individual needs. She is dedicated to offering clients of all ages a safe, inclusive and creative space to explore emotions and personal issues. Having completed a Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting and Master of Art Therapy, she offers a gentle approach in assisting the client’s therapeutic journey. She has experience working in mental health, addiction support and educational settings and is a professional member of ANZACATA The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association. Anna offers individual as well as group art therapy sessions and is committed to enhancing community well-being, social justice and person-centred care.

Eytan Woolfson

Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)

BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Eytan provides individual psychological interventions to clients of all ages with complex needs and presentations. He has experience working in schools, public outpatient clinics, and private practice. Eytan utilises the therapeutic modalities of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He also provides cognitive, academic, and ADHD assessments for children and adolescents, along with diagnostic reports for ADHD and specific learning disorders. 

Eytan believes in the strength of a good therapeutic relationship. He has a down-to-earth, warm, holistic, and compassionate approach to his clients. Eytan collaborates to help clients feel empowered, find and develop their strengths, and increase their overall well-being.

Adrienne Sloan

Drama Therapist

(Dramatherapy), BA (Art), BEd (Drama, Theatre), ANZACATA

Adrienne has a Masters in Creative Arts Therapies (Dramatherapy) from Melbourne University (MCAT).

Dramatherapy uses theatre, story making and drama as part of psychological, social and emotional support in therapy. It provides opportunities for developing new perspectives, insights and growth. Adrienne is person-centred and collaborative in an empathetic and non-judgemental environment. Adrienne also has Bachelors in Arts and Education, (BA/Ed) majoring in Theatre and Drama, with experience as a secondary level theatre and drama teacher. She has many years of training and experience in performing arts practices, schools, women’s refuges and prisons in Australia and Nepal.

Adrienne is a member of ANZACATA, (Australia, New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapies Association), the professional association for Dramatherapists in Australia, governing the international standards and code of ethics of practitioners.

Liana P

Music Therapist

Liana is a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA), and has specialised in working with adolescents and adults in the field of mental health for over a decade. Her qualifications include: Bachelor of Health Science (BHealthSc) & Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) from La Trobe University, Advanced Diploma of Music (Contemporary Voice Performance) from Melbourne Polytechnic, and Master of Music Therapy from the Melbourne Conservatorium at the University of Melbourne. In the past 5 years, Liana has offered group and individual evidence-based music therapy sessions in inpatient psychiatry at Delmont Private Hospital and Cabrini Women’s Mental Health. She is also trained in introductory Level 1 Guided Imagery and Music (GIM – https://www.avalongimtraining.com.au) and in Tuning Relationships with Music (TRM – http://www.tuningrelationshipswithmusic.com). 

Scott McPherson

Music Therapist

Music Therapist MMus, M(MT), AMTA

Scott has been a registered music therapist since 2010 and has worked with a broad range of client populations. Scott has experience working with people that have dementia in aged care, people that have other neurological disorders such as ABI, TBI and Huntington’s Disease, people with mental health symptoms related to Schizophrenia, Complex PTSD, Major Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder and people with a range of disabilities from profound to high functioning people with Autism. A strong musical background in most styles and a range of instruments played brings music to every occasion along with a belief that music is therapy and that the more music the merrier! Music has the power to transform, stimulate, sedate and is a safe and passive method to explore thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

Natalija Stefanovic

Art Therapist

BHSc, MMH, PACFA, ANZACATA

Natalija Stefanović is a committed healthcare professional who strives to provide therapeutic, connective and creative healing by providing a safe and creative space for her clients. She is committed to supporting client growth and personal understanding through a combination of creative means and talk therapy.Natalija is passionate about exploring the struggles related to culture, family and anxiety as well as the complexity of living with chronic physical pain.The profound and durable effects she experienced when combining physical rehabilitation, art practice and psychoanalysis to better understand herself now drive her to facilitate and provide the same care for others.Natalija has a MA in Mental Health and has specialised in Art Therapy. She uses a phenomenological eclectic and client led approach to providing therapy and is passionate about using evidence-based frameworks and art directives in her sessions.Her employment has seen her in roles which provided therapeutic services to at-risk university students, adolescents and pre-teens on the autism spectrum, those in need of career counselling and with individuals on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Banjo

Fully-Trained Therapy Dog

Australian Shepherd

Experience the magic of animal therapy! Our furry friend and certified therapy dog – Banjo helps children build trust, form alliances, and boost self-esteem and confidence. The animal aspect creates a supportive environment for growth.