Creative Community Care: Creative Arts Therapy for Asian International Students.
đHello and welcome!
Have you ever felt like a song just perfectly captures your emotions? Or, experienced a rush of feelings from a beautiful picture?
đĄCreativity connects deeply with our emotions and plays a crucial role in supporting our mental health and wellbeing.
So, join Shapes and Sounds creative arts therapists to learn strategies to help you relax, focus and express your emotions alongside a supportive group.
~
Sessions start on Tuesday, March 25th, register now!
đ "Art therapy takes the pressure off having to share things that you might not want to. It's less focused on deep conversations about deep mental health themes. The art allowed us to choose how we open up." - 2024 participant.
Creative Arts Therapy:
Creative arts therapy is an experiential form of psychotherapy that includes expressive modalities such as painting, sculpture, movement, music, as an immersive way of gaining knowledge and insight.
Creative processes can help you to explore and express feelings that may be hard to put to words and find new pathways towards healing.
Creative arts therapy works in conjunction with contemporary neurobiological research into trauma, which suggests that body based awareness effectively addresses emotional and physical anguish.
Your support team
Creative Arts Therapists are Master's level qualified mental health professionals who use the creative process (in all forms) to facilitate the exploration of feelings, improve self-awareness and reduce anxiety for clients.
The Shapes and Sounds team is here to support you!
Stef (she/they)
Registered Art Therapist
Stef was raised in Hong Kong and is a second-generation Australian-born Chinese living in Narrm. They are a multi-disciplinary artist and registered art therapist with experience working with a range of clients from ages 13 to 78 in acute and sub-acute mental health, family violence, and disability sectors.
Tanya (she/her)
Registered Music Therapist
Tanya is a first-generation Chinese-Indonesian Australian who spent her early childhood in the vibrant city of Jakarta, Indonesia, before moving to Australia during her teenage years. She is a Registered Music Therapist with diverse experience across mental health, disability, educational, and hospital settings.
Daleney (she/her)
Facilitator Support
Daleney is a second-year student studying Psychology at the University of Melbourne and is interested in pursuing a career in youth mental health. She is Malaysian-Chinese and moved to Australia in 2017. She loves crocheting, listening to music, and trying new food!
Are you an international student from Asia?
Thereâs so much stigma around mental health in Asian communities, that it can sometimes make it hard for us to seek help or care for ourselves.
But our mission at Shapes and Sounds is to destigmatise mental health conversations in Asian communities and we know that doing enjoyable activities like music and art, makes it easier for people to connect with their mental health.
We also know that living and studying in a new country can be really challenging! So these sessions are designed to help you not only connect with yourself, but with others who like music and art too.
"Knowing this group was for Asians made me feel comfortable to share more openly..."
In partnership with
The Details
đď¸: Tuesday evenings during semester 1, 2025 (starts March 25th!)
â°: 6.30pm - 8.00pm
đ:Â Latrobe University, City Campus. 360 Collins street, Melbourne
You must complete the registration form below to join each session!
Every session explained:
You can attend as many sessions as you like, just remember to complete a new registration form for each session.
đĄNo prior music or art experience necessary!Â
Badge it Up: Badge making with a twist
đď¸ Tuesday March 25th
Create an inspiring message or design and wear it proudly!
Part 1 - Playlist Vibes:Â Tune up your mood
đď¸ Tuesday April 1st
Build a personalised playlist specifically designed to meet and manage your mood.
Part 2 - Playlist Vibes: Design your personal music coverÂ
đď¸ Tuesday April 8th
Create your own playlist cover art that represents your unique musical and cultural identity.
Lyric Magic: Co-create a group song
đď¸ Tuesday April 15th
With everyone else, write a song that blends your ideas and creativity into a unique musical piece.
đĄNo music experience necessary!
Community Canvas:Â Draw and ConnectÂ
đď¸ Tuesday April 22nd (On during semester break!)
Join others to create a shared mural, express yourself, and build connections through art.
Dear Future Me: Postcard creation workshop
đď¸ Tuesday April 29th
Write or draw messages to your future self, sharing your dreams and goals to reflect on!
Important information.
âď¸Mental health is no joke.
To make sure that you're safe, and others are safe, we've outlined all our terms, rules and guidelines that you need to agree to.
Make sure you've read this document as you'll be asked to agree to our guidelines to be able to participate.
Read the group guidelines nowFrequently asked questionsÂ
Is this a replacement for therapy?
Who is this program for?
How many spots are available?
I'm not an international student, can I attend?
I've registered, now what?
If I register, will I be able to attend?
Our pilot program evaluation.
Download our pilot program evaluative summary to learn how Creative Community Care supported the mental well-being of Asian international students in semester 2, 2024.Â
This report highlights the culturally-responsive adaptations made by facilitators in their program delivery which may support your work too.
