The Autistic Identity Art Therapy Group is a structured 12-week online group art therapy program dedicated to celebrating and strengthening autistic people through art practice and process, mutual exploration and community connection.
It applies the concepts and framework of Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Intentional Peer Support. Conducted within a trauma and neuro/diversity informed framework, the program intentionally celebrates queer, First Nations and disabled people as a social justice action.
We will explore psychoeducation materials, share strategies and management techniques and most importantly engage in creative expression and artmaking together to support us to embrace autism.
This group is not a manualised skills-based therapy (such as DBT) and you’ll not be learning skills within this group.
Peer Art Therapists (PAThR) are trained in clinical art psychotherapy and a Peer Support model of care.
We are both peer workers and mental health clinicians
We complete both a university Masters degree in Art Therapy as well as train and practice in Peer Work - using our own lived experience openly to support others with similar experiences.
You’re the expert of you
We work outside medicalised models that often label and apply behavioural theories to your experiences. We believe you know yourself best and can identify your own needs and wants for therapy.
We have our own lived experience
We often have similar experiences to our participants, such as navigating mental health services and overcoming distress. This can make us highly empathetic and connected.
We work alongside you
We are not ‘experts’ here to fix you. We are honoured to walk beside you and know that our connection as people and moving towards your goals is what truly matters.
DBT Programs in Australia often have long wait times, high costs and low levels of accessibility, especially for those who are neuro-diverse and impacted by trauma.
Living Arts Therapy is determined to provide accessible and affordable DBT programs using art and narrative therapy, facilitated by lived experience.
5 Module program including the 4 standard DBT modules and a specially designed module on identity.
No need to commit to a whole program - complete one module at a time
Three intake access points within the program
Two weekly groups to choose from (Friday or Saturday)
Groups are capped at 10 people for higher levels of support and connection
No exclusion criteria based on diagnosis or circumstances
Mahlie Jewell is registered and regulated by the following: ANZACATA (membership number: 49852078) / Australian Counselling Association (membership number: 20333), NSW Working with Children Check (number: WWC1906452E, exp: 19/05/26). Insured by BMS risk solutions.
