This presentation will explore foundational concepts linking art therapy and neuroscience to inform theory, guide practice and support interdisciplinary research. Framed within a translational science perspective, this presentation will introduce accessible neuroscience principles from cognitive science and neurobiology - and demonstrate how they intersect with core mechanisms of change in art therapy, including symbolic expression, sensory-motor engagement and relational attunement. Drawing on clinical examples and findings from art therapy neuroscience-informed theory and research, the session will offer a conceptual roadmap for clinicians, educators, and researchers.

Emphasis will be placed on integrating empirical rigor without sacrificing the profession's relational and creative foundations. Attendees will gain tools for articulating the value of art therapy using neuroscience-aligned language, enhancing communication with stakeholders, and inspiring collaborative innovation across disciplines. The session will be accessible and applicable to all experience levels.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify key neuroscience concepts relevant to art therapy theory and practice.
• Describe how cognitive neuroscience and neurobiology models align with mechanisms of change in art therapy.
• Apply translational frameworks to articulate art therapy's role in clinical, educational and research contexts.

PRESENTER BIO:

Juliet L. King, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMHC, is an Associate Professor of Art Therapy at The George Washington University and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine. With over two decades of experience as a clinician, educator and administrator, Dr King's research focuses on the integration of art therapy and neuroscience, making the science of therapeutic arts accessible and adaptable to diverse sociocultural contexts. Her PhD in Translational Health Sciences culminated in the development and testing of a NeuroArts Toolkit ©JKE designed for the treatment of psychological trauma and stress-related conditions. She is the author and editor of Art Therapy, Neuroscience, and Trauma: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives, with the second edition published in 2024.

Date/time: Wednesday 30 April 10 am–12 pm AEST
12 pm–2 pm NZST
8 am–10am SGT/HKT/AWST
(Presenter date/time: Tuesday 29 April 8–10 pm EDT)
Duration/CPD: 2 hrs
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: All ANZACATA Members
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email Michelle as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

ANZACATA is offering subsidised online group supervision sessions with SARAH VERSITANO for recently graduated practising members (less than 2 years since graduation).

These group art therapy supervision sessions provide a supportive and reflective space for emerging art therapists transitioning from graduation to professional practice. Sessions may incorporate arts-based reflection, case presentations, and discussions, all grounded in ethical frameworks and a commitment to the therapist's wellbeing and professional growth.

There will be 10 fortnightly sessions (each session is 90 minutes), with a maximum of 8 participants. The total cost for participants is $500 (paid upfront).

Group supervision objectives

These sessions will provide a safe and nurturing space to:

1. Build a community of recently graduated creative art therapists to develop their confidence and sense of connection.
2. Facilitate professional identity development: support participants in exploring and solidifying their emerging identities as professional art therapists.
3. Enhance reflective practice through art-making: encourage the use of arts-based methods to deepen self-awareness, process clinical experiences, and reflect on therapeutic relationships.
4. Support ethical and competent clinical practice: provide a safe space to explore ethical dilemmas, case presentations, and decision-making processes grounded in professional standards.
5. Promote emotional resilience and wellbeing: address the emotional challenges of transitioning into practice by fostering self-care strategies and group-based support.
6. Cultivate peer learning and community building: create opportunities for shared learning, feedback, and connection among group members navigating similar stages of professional development
7. Bridge academic learning with clinical application: assist participants in integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world practice, enhancing clinical confidence and competence.

Presenter bio

Sarah Versitano is senior art therapist based at an acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health unit in the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. She is also a sessional academic and clinical supervisor for the Master of Art Therapy program at Western Sydney University. Her recent research publications can be viewed via ResearchGate. LinkedIn.

Start date: Thursdays starting 15 May 2025
Dates (fortnightly): 15 May, 29 May, 12 June, 26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August, 4 September, 18 September 2025
Time: 3 pm-4.30 pm AEST (1 pm AWST/HKT/SGT; 5 pm NZST)
Duration/CPD: 15 hrs (7.5 supervision hours)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $500 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: recently graduated practising members
Max Registrations: 8
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is a developmentally responsive, play-based mental health intervention for young children ages 3 to 10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and relational disorders (Landreth, 2012; Ray, 2011; Ray et al., 2021). CCPT utilises play, the natural language of children, and therapeutic relationship to provide a safe, consistent therapeutic environment in which a child can experience full acceptance, empathy and understanding from the therapist and process inner experiences and feelings through play and symbols. CCPT is well-supported by an extensive body of research literature that supports the intervention as effective for disruptive behaviors (Bratton et al., 2013; Cochran & Cochran, 2017; Ray et al., 2007; Ritzi et al., 2017; Wilson & Ray, 2018), anxiety (Stulmaker & Ray, 2015), autism spectrum disorder problem behaviors (Schottelkorb et al., 2020), social-emotional assets (Blalock et al., 2019; Taylor & Ray, 2021), and overall impairment (Ray et al., 2013).

This workshop provides advanced training in CCPT, including theory, research and practice, with particular emphasis on person-centered and motivational interviewing approaches. 

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an advanced understanding of the theoretical basis of Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT)
• Develop advanced knowledge and techniques of the practice of CCPT
• Develop knowledge of the research evidence related to CCPT

PRESENTER:

Aleksandra Gosteva, MHealSc, MEdPsych, MA AT (Clinical), PGDipEPP, PGDipHlthPsycPrac
Aleksandra is a New Zealand fully trained, Registered Health Psychologist and Clinical Arts Therapist. With the breadth of extensive training, research and internships, she has developed specialist interests in different areas of psychology and arts therapy. Aleksandra's work mainly focuses on supporting children and adults, recovering from trauma, as well as supporting children and adults with pain management, chronic illnesses, and other health issues. Aleksandra also works with organisations designing flexible and people-centred workplace interventions to improve employee and organizational health and wellbeing and develop research-based initiatives to prevent burnout.

When: Saturday 24 May 2025
Time: 12 pm–2.30 pm NZST
10 am–12.30 pm AEST
8 am– 10.30 am AWST/HKT/SGT
Duration/CPD: 2.5 hrs
Where: Zoom
Cost: $35 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: All ANZACATA Members
Max: 25 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email Michelle as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

This hour-long drop-in session occurs quarterly and all members are welcome to join. There is no agenda, no commitment, just pop in anytime you like for a chat with your Executive Officer and with other ANZACATA members.

When: Friday 13 June 2025
Time: 12 noon AEST (10am WA and Asia, and 2pm NZ)
CPD: 1 hour
ZOOM Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4298208695?pwd=c21EcmN0TTMreVQ0bEROVzdQeWxGQT09

How to lookup your time zone in google:

If the event starts at 12pm AEST and you're in South Australia just type the following into google 12pm AEST to South Australia time.
(change the time and/or city as required)

There have been recent changes to the ACC requirements for new providers. This workshop covers the NEW requirements you need to know to register to provide arts therapy funded by the ACC for clients impacted by sexual abuse. It is only open to New Zealand members.

The workshop will cover ACC's requirements relating to qualifications and clinical experience, and ongoing requirements from ACC post registration. The registration process will be covered, and how to go about finding a supplier. This event is open to anyone interested in registering for this type of work, from experienced professionals to students who are looking at this as a future revenue source once they have sufficient experience. The workshop will consist of a presentation and will include time for questions.

PRESENTER:

Tania Blomfield is a Professional Member of ANZACATA and has been providing clinical supervision and supervision training in New Zealand for approximately 15 years.  She has a particular interest in working with trauma and shame, and currently performs psychological assessments for New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), along with a group of other registered arts therapists, counsellors and psychologists..

When: Saturday 28 June 2025
Time: 10am-11am NZST
Duration/CPD: 1 hr
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Open to: Professional, Provisional and Student Members in New Zealand only
Max: 30 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Cancellation Policy
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.