Hi, I'm Rae  (they/them) and I'm a trans non-binary and multiple neurodivergent registered supervisor (I avoids using the term ‘clinical’ to describe the supervision work I do, as I prefer to use non-clinical language in my approaches), arts therapist, and psychotherapist with a lived experience of chronic illness. I have white Anglophone privilege and settler privilege. I experiences marginalisation due to living in cisgenderist, binary, neurotypical-centred society. I am very passionate about disability rights, the LGBTQIA+ community and mental health. I am vegan and love animals. I also have a sensory garden outside the studio.

 

When working therapeutically, I use person-centred, strengths-based and peer support approaches to assist people to access both their internal and community resources. 

My core values include; connection, expression, creativity, imagination, curiosity, authenticity, courage, empowerment, community, liberation, personal congruence and autonomy.

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I have experience working with a broad range of folks, from neurodivergent young people to elderly people with dementia. I am currently facilitating Creative Workshops at part of Switchboard’s LGBTQIA+ Suicide Bereavement Program. I have facilitated Arts Psychotherapy workshops for trans, gender diverse and non-binary folk through Your Community Health and young women, non-binary people, and trans people of any gender at Amplified Victoria (AKA Girls Rock) as well as for staff members at DFFH (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing). Now I work with clients through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), the DFFH and Private Practice.

 

Before this, I was a group facilitator and offered helpline support for Family Drug Help at SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre). I also have worked as a disability support worker. My background also includes over 10 years working in Graphic Design and as a result, I am passionate about incorporating digital technologies into therapeutic spaces and my practice.

I have received the Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Arts Practice from the MIECAT Institute and the Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy from the IKON Institute. I facilitate in a multi-modality capacity, offering other art expressions such as narrative, music, drama and dance. I have memberships with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), ACA (Australian Counselling Association), TPATH (Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health) and AusPATH (Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health). I have also done Professional Development Training in a range of Psychotherapy Modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), IFS (Internal Family Systems Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and Rhythms and Regulation with Dr Cathy Malchiodi. 

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I have always been interested in the arts and participated in music, art, drama, dance and film workshops from an early age. When I got older I developed an interest in street art. There was a reoccurring narrative in this community that art was powerful in supporting and creating positive change in people’s lives. This sparked an interest in me to explore further the therapeutic value of using the arts in therapy. In 2014 I organised an international street art exhibition at the St Kilda Espy Hotel. My personal street art has been included in the “NGV Melbourne Now” curated exhibition in Hosier Lane in 2014 and the Thames & Hudson book “Inside Street Art Melbourne" in 2016.