Art Therapy and Counselling for people of all ages/abilities

Art Therapy or Art Psychotherapy is a therapeutic tool where the therapist and client or clients develop a dynamic interpersonal relationship with clear boundaries and explore goals. Prior experience of Art making or talent is not necessary to engage with Art Therapy but interest is useful! The outcome in Art Therapy can be aesthetically pleasing to look at but this is not the central aim. Rather, the image becomes a tool to explore what is happening in the client’s life with another person present to facilitate and witness this.

Holly Edworthy has a private practice and aims to create a safe and secure environment for the children and young people she works with. Holly completed her Art Therapy training in 2003 her hands on training was at a special needs school and mainstream school in Perth. Since then here in the ACT she has worked in Art Therapy with many client groups and individuals, gaining a diploma in Counselling. Currently Holly works in Art Therapy with people who have dementia in a frail aged facility, at the National Art Gallery as a Gallery Educator and in her own Art Therapy practice.“I am passionate about art making and creativity”. Holly’s studio is located at Gorman House Arts Centre on Ainslie Avenue. A large airy room with two sections.

The larger area of the room consists of a child and young people friendly space and the smaller section, for Holly’s own art practice. Children and young people wanting to look at an area in their life that is not working or a specific problem are encouraged to see Holly. However sometimes Art Therapy and art making is useful for people without a specific issue who may just want to enjoy some creativity.

As a trained artist Holly thinks it is important to keep up her own art practice. The studio has a good feeling about it, in a building dedicated to the arts.

Holly is a qualified Art Therapist registered with The Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association. Holly's qualifications include BA Fine Art, RMIT, Vic. MA Art Therapy, Edith Cowan University, WA. Graduate Diploma Community Counselling, University of Canberra, ACT.