Vanessa Rickwood  - Creative Arts and Play Therapist

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A passionate advocate for creative arts therapy, working in a humanistic way to help you achieve your goals and intentions. 
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After working for many years with students with significant mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as a Special Needs Education Assistant, I began to integrate art therapy into my students' lives. By allowing the students an alternative way to express themselves while working through problems such as grief and loss, trauma, anxiety and depression. Art Therapy enabled the students to gain ownership, and autonomy to heal through the creative process.
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Acquiring a Bachelor of Arts in Psychotherapy in Creative Arts, I began working as a volunteer Art Therapist at Fiona Stanley Hospital, working bedside with patients in the Children's Ward, Pre-birth, Oncology, and State Rehab and in addition, creating a program for parents/carers and partners for their self-care during their loved one's hospital stay.   Facilitating small groups for patients with Eating Disorders and co-run an open studio in State Rehab.   In recent years I have worked as a Child and Family Practitioner in the Mental Health field.
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Post-graduation gaining accreditation as a Clinical Child-Centred Play Therapist and working for Play Therapy Australia acquiring experience with children within the foster care system, DCP and NDIS.  A practised practitioner with medical trauma with clients both experiencing terminal illness, direct or indirect, medical operations, and attachment issues. My experience with neurodiverse clients has allowed my practice to support clients in a safe and nurturing environment, facilitating children with diagnosis of ASD and PDA.
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Working within an evidence-based practice allows all clients to become the best versions of themselves. 

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Theoretical Models of therapy integrated with the art based activities include;

• Client-centred approach  

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• CBT

• Family Systems Theory

• Attachment Theory

• Gestalt Theory

• Somatic Experience/Trauma Therapy

• Expressive Therapies Continuum 

 

Delivering a client-led and entirely non-judgmental session, creating a safe environment for clients to express themselves.  

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Qualifications

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Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy 

Advanced Clinical Training Program in Child-Centred Play Therapy

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Registered Creative Arts Therapist with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

Professional College of Creative Arts Therapy (CCAT)

Certificate IV in Education Support (Special Needs)

 

Additional

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Working With Children Check

Youth Mental Health First Aider

Police Clearance

Team Teach Positive Behaviours