Wellbeing News – What is Art Therapy?

Hi! My name is Madeleine and I’m an Arts Therapist, I joined the College in Term 3 of this year and provide Art Therapy and Counselling as part of the Wellbeing team.

What is Art Therapy?

In essence Art Therapy is as simple as it sound

s, using art as part of therapy to allow for non-verbal means of self-expression and self-discovery. Sometimes traditional talk therapy can feel intimidating, especially for adolescents who may not have the language for what they’re feeling or might not feel comfortable sharing but still want a way to express their inner world.

Art Therapy focuses on process not product, no artistic skill or experience is necessary to enjoy or benefit from it! The idea is to engage with the body, how it feels emotions and then translate those feelings into an outward expression, this could be movement, drawing with oil pastels, painting or just pummeling some clay, all expressions are valid and encouraged. In Art therapy we try to release the idea of the result looking a certain way, sometimes it’s just a shape or a colour that encapsulates a feeling.

Art Therapy and Young People

Adolescence can be hard, young people face many unique challenges throughout their school lives. These can be related to their academic progress, social groups, or social media and it can be hard for young people to talk about what they’re experiencing. This can leave them feeling like they won’t benefit from “traditional” talk-therapy and that’s where Art Therapy can be beneficial. By using art as a medium instead of words young people can express their feelings without needing to find the right words. It also allows them to explore their own imagination and creativity.

What an Art Therapy Session Might Look Like…

Sometimes the unfamiliarity of Art Therapy can make sessions a little daunting! Especially when students might be used to art class where their skills will be judged. But, an Art Therapy session is very different.

Usually, we will start with a check-in and a chat to warm up the space and get to know each other a bit, then we might start with a simple drawing exercise to get the creative juices flowing. From there the session is tailored to the individual's own therapeutic goals and needs. Mediums can range from clay to finger painting! It can be directive, as in “Can you make something that represents your anger?” or it can be totally free range.

So if this sounds like something you’d like to know more about, use the booking form below!

Wellbeing Space and Referral Process

We have revamped the wellbeing space and our new location is between the canteen and staff room. All students and staff are welcome.

Parents can contact the Learning and Wellbeing Leader (previously known as the Year Level Coordinators) to discuss any wellbeing concerns and the referral process.

As a first point of contact, students are encouraged to raise any wellbeing concerns with their teachers and the Learning and Wellbeing Leaders for referral. Students can also self-refer for wellbeing supports via student referral form-see below link. Referral forms can also be accessed via the wellbeing office, which is open to all students. Wellbeing staff will be in touch with students as soon as possible.

We encourage all parents and students to flag any wellbeing concerns early, so we can provide early intervention. Counselling sessions are confidential between students and the wellbeing team; unless there are any safety risks identified.

Wellbeing Referral form: J:\Wellbeing\Templates\WHSC Wellbeing Referral Form.docx

If you would like any information regarding mental health supports/ mental health themes covered in the school newsletter, please get in touch with our Mental Health Practitioner-Fosia (fosia.mohamud@education.vic.gov.au)

Upcoming Events

Our mental health practitioner, Fosia, will be hosting a series of mental health workshops in collaboration with Head Space for middle school students. Additionally, there will be a parents/carers workshop. Please see below for details.

The Year 7 cohort will be exploring Bullying and Mental Health. The workshop will cover:

Understanding the ways our body and brain react to stress.
Reviewing the impact of bullying on mental health.
Discovering spaces and activities to help you stand strong.
Exploring who you can talk to and seek support from.

The Year 8 cohort will be exploring "Looking Out For Your Friends: Notice, Ask, Connect." The workshop will cover:

Noticing warning signs that a friend might be going through a tough time.
How to have difficult conversations and ask your friend if they are okay.
Learning how to help them find the best support and ensuring you are looking out for your self-care.

The Year 9 cohort will be exploring Self-Care: Looking after your mental health. The workshop will cover:

Understanding mental health and the importance of looking after ourselves.
Recognising what self-care is.
Developing a healthy headspace action plan.
Identifying where, when, and how to seek support.

Mental Health Parent/Carer Workshop - Expression of Interest

We are seeking expressions of interest for this workshop, which will focus on supporting young people and how to Notice, Ask, and Connect with your young person. It will cover:

Understanding mental health and wellbeing in young people.
Recognising changes in a young person who might be going through a tough time.
Identifying strategies to connect and communicate with young people.
Learning how to support a young person and where to access professional support.

This will be a virtual workshop via Zoom. If you're interested in joining, please click on the link below to express your interest. Our Mental Health Practitioner, Fosia Mohamud, will send an email with full details closer to the date of the workshop.

Workshop Date and Time: Wednesday, 29th November 2023, after 6 pm (Exact time TBA). The session will last for 90 minutes.

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/9t92knJkte?origin=lprLink 

For planning purposes, please register your interest by Monday, 27th November 2023.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Fosia via email.

Fosia Mohamud

Mental Health Practitioner 

fosia.mohamud@education.vic.gov.au

Meet the Team

The wellbeing team comprises of Celine Tsang, (Student Wellbeing Leader/ Counsellor), Fosia Mohamud (Mental Health Practitioner) and Madeleine Mitchell (Student counsellor-specialises in Arts Therapy). Maddie joined the team following successful completion of her student placement with us in term three.

My name is Celine. I joined the WHSC Wellbeing team at the start of Term 3 in 2022 as Counsellor and have stepped into the wellbeing leader role. I have a Masters in Counselling with Victoria University, and am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counsellor Association. I have worked with several schools and assisted students with their mental health. My favourite color this year is grey-blue, I speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese, I still love spicy food, I still love dogs. Come say hi.

I believe in autonomy, honesty, and non-judgment. We offer a safe space for students to explore their emotions and vulnerability. All feelings are acceptable, and there is no such thing as “you shouldn’t feel that way”, but rather what you want to do about it. Organise yourself a time with us to see what strategies work for you the best 😊

My name is Fosia. I Joined the WHSC team at the end of term three in 2021 as the Mental Health Practitioner (MHP). I am a qualified Social Worker (completed Masters of Social Work at La Trobe University) and have worked in various settings over the last 10 years in the Health and Public Service Sectors.

I prefer tea (with ginger) over coffee and love anything salted caramel. I’m enjoying working at WHSC in a role that focuses on mental health in the school setting, where early intervention can be facilitated. I strongly believe everyone has the key to good mental health; sometimes, we just need a guiding hand to access that key.

In addition to providing counselling and support to students, I also oversee wellbeing initiatives and targeted programs at the school. We encourage students and staff to be involved in mental health awareness as a whole school approach. Students and staff are welcome to reach out to me to find out how they can be involved.

My name is Maddie and I have had the privilege of being a part of the WHSC Wellbeing team completing my final placement in term three. I am excited to have been offered the role of student counsellor to continue my work with students. I am a creative Arts Therapist who works in a multi-modal, client-centered way. During this time, I have worked with a number of students facilitating both counselling and Arts Therapy sessions.   

As an Arts Therapist, I use art as a way for students to express emotions and communicate without words. Arts Therapy is process-based and doesn’t require any skills or experience in visual art, it’s about having space to play and express yourself!  

I have a beautiful cat that I talk about all the time, I love reading and being in nature.   

To book in a session just fill in the Wellbeing student referral form below!

External supports you can access:

Headspace: 24/7 phone counselling service for 12 to 25 year old’s. 

P: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au  

E-Headspace: 24/7 online counselling service for 12 to 25-year old’s. 

www.eheadspace.org.au  

Beyondblue: 24-hour Phone and online counselling for mental health. 

P: 1300 22 46 36 www.beyondblue.org.au 

Beyondblue also have a series of podcasts on various topics.   

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/not-alone 

Lifeline: 24-hour phone crisis support and suicide prevention services. 

P: 131 114 www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat 

Kids Help Line: 24/7 free phone and online counselling for 13 to 25-year old’s. 

P: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au 

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