SERVICES
Art Therapy sessions with individuals, groups, couples and families as well as consultation, promotional work and team building workshops for businesses and agencies.
WHAT IS ART THERAPY?
An Art
Therapy
session is different to a typical therapy session in that the client
creates
artwork using a variety of media (e.g. pens, paint, clay) and
techniques (e.g. drawing,
painting, ceramics). Art
Therapists
employ several methods of engaging clients in order to assist clients
discuss,
explore and address issues/topics during the session which vary from
directives
(e.g. draw a house, draw a safe place) to free choice (client chooses
the
media, technique and topic).
Art Therapy is a therapeutic and diagnostic tool where therapist and client/s develop a dynamic interpersonal relationship, with clear boundaries and goals. It differs from traditional art in that the emphasis is on the process of creating rather than on the end product.
Art Therapy is a creative process, suitable for all ages, and particularly for those who may be experiencing life changes, trauma, illness or disabilities causing distress for the individual and for their family.
Art Therapy works by contributing to changes in the client's inner world, and towards the development of a client's more integrated sense of self, with increased self awareness and acceptance1.
A further description can be found on the The American Art Therapy Association website.
WHO IS ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS?
Mary Utter is the principal Art Therapist of Artistic Expressions. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Fine Arts (BAFA) from University of New Mexico, USA and a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy (MAAT) from Marylhurst University, USA.
Mary is a registered Art Therapist in Australia and New Zealand (AThR) as well as in the USA (ATR). She has extensive experience working in Australia, USA and Samoa in a wide variety of environments. These include working with:
- Young people living in foster care
- Families needing conflict resolution, family reunification and crisis intervention
- Adults in team building / professional development capacity in therapeutic and social service settings
- Alternative school teachers and adolescents who have learning disabilities
- Young children in a special behaviour needs classroom
- Street and homeless young people who have complex issues involving drug use, grief, abuse and high risk behaviours
- Provided training for teachers and student teachers in using creative techniques as effective teaching strategies
CONTACT DETAILS
For appointments or general inquires please contact Mary on 0431 664 376 or email info(at)artisticexpressions.com.au (please replace the section '(at)' with '@'. Mary's consulting rooms are located at Suite 2, 253 Lonsdale St Melbourne. This is a central location just near the intersection of Lonsdale St & Swanston St, easily accessible from Melbourne Central train station, trams on Swanston St and buses on Lonsdale St.
CLIENTS
Mary works with a wide variety of corporate clients including Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). If you would like to discuss how Artistic Expressions can work with your organisation, please contact Mary. Current clients include:
 |
 |
 |
Mary has presented several workshops and at conferences including:
- KIC START Conference on the topic of Life Story books. To see her PowerPoint presentation click here
- Art Therapy workshop with Seasons Centacare Catholic Family Services
- Quality Care Conference on the topic "Art as Therapy for Clients Experiencing Grief and Loss"
- Art Therapy workshop with Catholic Secondary Schools Support Services
If you are interested in learning more about Art Therapy in general, please contact The Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association (ANZATA) or The American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
See the recent article on Art Therapy in The Weekend Australian, October 28-29, 2006; “Power of art strives to get a Guernsey”
Professional Member