News October 2023
Below you will find:
Mental Health Month with The Creative C: Dive Deep and 'Tune In'
ART & SOUL - A Personal Reflection
Workshop Spotlight: Drawing For Regulation
A Hakomi Perspective on Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Week Forum: Creativity = Brain Gym
A Glimpse Into Our Upcoming Blog
Dear Creative C Community,
Welcome to October!
This month, we commemorate World Mental Health Day on October 10th, focusing on the theme, “Tune In.” This day is devoted to fostering an understanding of mental health and advocating for education and awareness. It’s crucial to enlighten ourselves around mental health issues and emphasise everyone's role in constructing a mentally healthy and supportive society, free from stigma.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our regular updates as we relish the burgeoning days of Spring : )
Sending waves of warmth and creativity your way,
The Creative C Team.
Mental Health Month with The Creative C
Mental Health Month with The Creative C: Dive Deep and 'Tune In'
Every year, October brims with the energy of Mental Health Month, stretching from the 1st until the 31st. At The Creative C, we're dedicated to harnessing this spirit to shed light on the transformative power of the arts.
Why do we celebrate Mental Health Month? Mental Health Month is more than a mere observance. It’s a mission to accentuate the essence of mental well-being and its role in enriching lives. Throughout this month, we champion the arts' potential to heal and connect, celebrating the artists, therapists, and programmes that have sculpted the mental health landscape. Our team at The Creative C believes in the magic of the artistic process, and this month lets us amplify that belief by sharing the Creative C love.
This Year's Theme with The Creative C: "Tune In". 2023's theme, "Tuning In", resonates deeply with our philosophy. It's about mindful immersion - in art, in therapy, and in life. It's an invitation to get attuned to oneself and the wider canvas of the world. We urge you to focus, build self-awareness, and create connections through our workshops, online courses, and blog articles designed to enhance these possibilities.
Engage with The Creative C this Mental Health Month: Ready to immerse yourself? The Creative C offers a rich tapestry of opportunities:
Participate in our transformative workshops, where art meets mindfulness.
Enrol in our online courses, making mental well-being accessible wherever you are.
Dive into our blog articles, penned with care, offering fresh perspectives on mental wellness and the arts.
Share, learn, and grow with our team, who are dedicated to weaving art, therapy, and the creative process to help individuals find balance.
Your Creative Sanctuary Awaits: Whether you’re seeking a transformative experience, or tools for self-exploration, The Creative C can be your sanctuary. Our team, fuelled by passion and expertise, is dedicated to helping individuals find balance and transformation through art, art therapy, and the creative process. Join us in our mission this Mental Health Month and beyond.
ART & SOUL - A Personal Reflection
By Beth
I initially joined the Art & Soul sessions as a participant following a diagnosis of C-PTSD (Complex post-traumatic stress disorder). Due to the effects of my experiences, I felt incredibly isolated and disconnected from myself, others, and life itself. I sought a gentle, effortless, and non-confrontational path to regain connection.
Fortuitously, I discovered the Art & Soul sessions at the Creative C. I resonated with what the Creative C offered, and though I was uncertain about what to anticipate from the Art & Soul sessions, something within me assured me that attending would be immensely beneficial — and it was.
Having a welcoming and supportive environment to attend regularly, where I could explore various mediums and express myself creatively, has enabled a deeper connection to parts of myself I had previously never experienced, or even recognised before. It has transformed my mood, my life perspective, and facilitated reconnections with people. I've also been able to explore creativity without any preconceptions and to connect with what my heart and soul truly desires, allowing me to reconnect with life and myself.
The opportunity to now facilitate classes has been life changing for me. I look forward to each session, not only for my own benefit, but most of all, for the unique experiences of everyone who attends.
The feedback I've received from both past and regular participants has highlighted the deep sense of connectedness they feel within the group. They say they love the freedom to engage with diverse mediums, the space to express and reflect on their current life phase, and the comforting atmosphere that encourages connections with others without any pressure.
I love observing these transformations in participants — from when they first enter the space at the beginning of the class, to when we sit together and share our experience of the session, and again as we end the session and say farewell. There is an openness, a receptiveness, a softness, and an overall ease in their being — it is deeply moving.
Every fortnight, we run special sessions for participants to delve deeper and hopefully establish a consistent creative practice. If this speaks to you, we warmly invite you to join our next session and discover the transformative power of Art & Soul for yourself.
When: Every Second Saturday 10am – 12pm
Upcoming Dates for October: 14 October, 28 October
Booking is required to guarantee your spot as space is limited. For further details
Contact: Beth - bethx77@hotmail.com PH: 0422 270 437
Rebekah Lowrie
Workshop Spotlight:
Drawing For Regulation
As a part of Mental Health Month, try embracing the transformative magic of Guided Drawing with the Creative C this October. Delve deep into an experience designed to lead you away from stress and feeling overwhelmed, guiding you towards a sanctuary of self-expression. Our workshop harnesses the power of bilateral movement, allowing you to naturally find a rhythm that resonates deeply with your authentic impulses.
Drawing becomes more than just an act; it’s a pathway to release stress and tension, inviting more presence, stability, and mental space into your life. With our selected drawing tools, you'll journey through varied dynamics — from expansion to contraction, brisk to leisurely paces, and gentle strokes to robust marks. Experience firsthand the symbiotic relationship between your art and the sensations in your body.
Join us for a transformative session and uncover internal reservoirs of strength and resilience. "Drawing For Regulation" isn't just an art workshop; it’s a personal journey to recognise and embrace your unique choices, preferences, and desires. Dive deep with us, and let art be your compass to wellbeing and quality mental health.
Workshop time: 2 hours
Cost: $110
When: October 28th
Time: 2-4pm
Where: The Creative Continuum
To make a booking: Please register your interest via email tania@taniavirgona.com.au with subject title Drawing for Regulation
A Hakomi Perspective on Mental Health Awareness
By Sara Moshenrose
As we mark Mental Health Month, this year's theme, "Tune In", perfectly complements the essence of Hakomi. "Tuning in" encourages us to be more present, to listen to ourselves, and to truly understand our emotions and thoughts. It's about acknowledging the signals our body and mind give us, and Hakomi provides the tools to do just that. This month, as we focus on "tuning in", let’s explore how the principles of Hakomi can guide us in this introspective journey. The synchronicity between "Tuning In" and the holistic approach of Hakomi reinforces the importance of truly connecting with ourselves for a better mental well-being.
Please visit our Blog to read the full article by Sara here
Sara has been integrating the Hakomi Principles into hery work and life for the past nine years, and she is a trained Hakomi provider. If you are interested in exploring if Hakomi Psychotherapy might be right for you and your healing journey, feel free to contact Sara on sara.moshenrose.therapy@gmail.com. Sara works out of the Creative Continuum on Thursdays and also offers online sessions Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Sara Moshenrose, a Clinical Psychologist with the Creative Continuum since July 2023, boasts over 12 years of experience and an array of qualifications, including as an Accredited EMDR Practitioner. Known for her gentle and intuitive approach peppered with humour, Sara specialises in therapies like Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Hakomi. Offering both Medicare and non-Medicare sessions, she's expanded her Thursday hours at Creative Continuum and warmly welcomes new clients. Sara's expertise extends to supervision, especially in EMDR Therapy, and she can be contacted at sara.moshenrose.therapy@gmail.com.
Mental Health Week Forum:
Creativity = Brain Gym
Embark on an enlightening journey exploring the profound relationship between creativity and mental wellness during our special forum "Creativity = Brain Gym" this Mental Health Week. We're privileged to feature the insights of Creative C's very own Tania Virgona, illuminating the transformative role creativity has in our daily lives in a video recorded for Mental Health Week.
The panel is enriched by the distinct perspectives of the esteemed guest speakers:
Elly-Louise Tyquin: An accomplished exhibiting artist, whose works have graced the Hume Global Learning Centre and Sunbury Gallery. She'll offer a firsthand look into the therapeutic process of artistic creation.
Yelena Ashlapova: A Hume-based psycho dramatist and musician, Yelena will weave her expertise in both fields to spotlight the harmonious intersection of sound, drama, and mental well-being.
Matt Gleeson: As a youth worker at Sunbury Community Health and a passionate photographer, Matt bridges the gap between community engagement and creative expression, highlighting the profound impact of art on our youth.
A vibrant conversation that promises not only to illuminate but to inspire, reshaping how you perceive the boundless power of creative expression in mental health.
You'll find it here
A Glimpse Into Our Upcoming Blog
"The True Essence of Creativity: Beyond the Dictionary Definition"
We often lean on dictionary definitions to understand the world around us, but some concepts demand a deeper dive. Creativity, for instance, goes beyond the "ability to produce original and unusual ideas." It's a conduit for wellness, a balm for the soul, and a tool for profound connection.
Tania, from our Creative C team, delves deep into her personal journey with creativity, discussing its potent impact on mental well-being and how it becomes synonymous with mindfulness. Ever felt that state of "Flow"? Stay tuned as we discuss it further!
In a month where we focus on mental health, our upcoming blog underscores the therapeutic essence of creativity and offers insights on how to reignite that spark, even after long hiatuses.
Join Tania as she shares her musings, experiences, and some surprising revelations about embracing our innate creative spirit. Dive deep into why creativity isn't just about thinking outside the box but also about enhancing our lives within it. Coming soon on the Creative C blog!
Thanks for reading :)
