Art and play therapy

Art therapy combines child development, visual art and the creative process with counselling and psychotherapy. It incorporates the creativity of art making, such as drawing, painting and sculpture, to help a child express emotions.

Everyone is born creative; it is our natural birthright to express ourselves. Making art can help us fit things together in ways which words cannot express.

In art therapy sessions at The Infants' Home the focus is on the relationship between the child and the therapist.

Children can cope with stress and traumatic experiences by enjoying the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Our art therapist — Rachel Ravid-Horesh

Rachel works with children to support their social and emotional needs.

With a Masters in Art Therapy from La Trobe University in Victoria, Rachel is a qualified art therapist and an experienced practitioner in early intervention with children from different backgrounds.

Her experience as an art therapist and case worker includes community organisations, health care facilities and schools. She has particular experience working with people who have been marginalised.

What art therapy can achieve

Over the past 10 years Rachel has worked in Australia and overseas with people of all ages who want to explore their creative potential and express their emotions.

Rachel’s work is driven by two premises:

• our early childhood experiences can shape our relationship patterns and emotional experience
• creating visual images helps us to see and name our emotional world, and support our wellbeing

Rachel is passionate about the power of art.

“My approach is always focused on the child, and incorporates a range of therapies,” she says. “This includes expressive art, such as drama, sand play and narrative, as well as group work and play therapy.

“Through personal experiences and by facilitating the process with others I have seen how lives can be transformed for the better.”