Releasing Rainbows

Treat yourself with acceptance and curiosity today.
See what you notice occurring inside you, through giving yourself these "positive permissions".

2 last minute appointments this week - first in, no holds.

World mental health day!

Mental health is important, how will you look after yours today?

It might look like:
💙 going to bed early to get a good rest
💙 taking my medication and drinking water
💙 going for a walk in the fresh air
💙 letting my loved ones know what I need
💙 having self compassion for myself
💙 ticking something off the to-do list (or making a to do list!)
💙 give your pet a good cuddle

What will you do for yourself today?

Don't forget to play.

Play (both unstructured and structured), is crucial to our social and emotional development. It is how we learn, practice and develop successful life skills in order for us to be able to participate in the world we live in.

🧱 COMING LATE OCTOBER: LEGO CLUB 🧱
run by:
Willow Tree Psychology and Wellbeing & Releasing Rainbows

🧩 First Group will run for 8 Weeks, starting late October.

🧩 Spaces are very LIMITED. Bookings essential.

🧩 Weekly group sessions are 75 mins long.

🧩 Private and NDIS Funding (plan managed & self-managed)

For more info, contact:

8233 0828 / [email protected]

Metaphor can be a powerful tool in Art Therapy. A simple metaphor can be thinking about your feelings as if they were weather or seasons.

☀️🌈Do your feelings feel bright and sunny?
❄🌨Cold and frosty?
🍁🍂Changing and foggy?
🌷🌱Like new beginnings and growth?

Remember that like the seasons, our feelings are temporary and change is always just around the corner. If you find yourself in a period of wintery discomfort- just know that it won't last forever, this too shall pass.

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You can also use this for exploring life stages, transitional periods, and other experiences or events.

Change is necessary.
People: their values, their dreams and identities should change over time. As you face challenges, new life experiences, meet new people and reassess your boundaries you will find small or larger changes to your ideas, beliefs and what you value- which will shape how you view yourself and your place in the world.

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Credit to for the image.

If this is how you are feeling at the moment, take this as a sign to allow time over the weekend for rest, self compassion and something you love to do.

Emotional exhaustion can lead to a mental breakdown. It is important to recognise the signs and ask for help when you are feeling this way.

Reach out to a friend, family member, or support services if you are feeling emotionally exhausted.

Image reads:

CCN* does NOT mean I don't hear.

CCN does NOT mean I don't think.

CCN does NOT mean I don't feel.

CCN does NOT mean I don't understand.

*Complex Communication Needs (CCN)

Everyone loves an expo! I have two upcoming expos where you can meet me and find out more about art therapy!

💙 The first one up is the Women's Health & Wellbeing Expo, on Friday 23rd September 10-12 noon
If you have considered therapy, but find the idea daunting, art therapy might be worth considering. Here's your chance to meet me in person outside of the therapy room and get a taste for what it could be like & if it is right for you.

Come & try at the Women's Expo:
I will be doing an "Art therapy sampler" going for 30 minutes and with limited spaces (2 session times 10.15- 10.45 and 11-11.30am) to allow you to experience art therapy in a safe, group setting.

🧡 The second, is KYD-X, kids and youth disability expo! Catch this one on 15th October 2022
Both are in Adelaide, Australia.

🌈So drop by and come and say hi!🌈

Are you okay?

Tomorrow is .

It's a reminder to start a conversation that could change a life - not just on , but any day it's needed.

Find tips on how to ask, and what to say if someone says they aren't OK, at https://bit.ly/2ZcG05n

Boundaries are an important part of any relationship: romantic, friendship, work or family.
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Having strong boundaries does not mean you are being difficult, it means you are keeping yourself safe and practicing self care.
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Depending on the relationship or what else is going on in your life, your boundaries may need adjustments or to be revisited.
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Remember: self care isn't selfish.

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Today is the start of Women's Health Week!

Getting involved in Women’s Health Week is free and easy. You can join a local event, walk with friends, watch a webinar, or simply make a booking for that overdue check-up. See everything on offer by visiting womenshealthweek.com.au

Check out the website for valuable information! Day 4 is about Mind Health so keep an eye out for another post!

Badges for work (magnets, not pins to spare your clothes!)
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Feel free to put on the one that suits best so I know which pronouns to use in our session.
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I want you to feel safe and free to be your authentic self.

"No mistakes, just happy accidents." 🌳

🎨 In art therapy there is no right or wrong way to create.

🧩 There are no mistakes, because it's about the process not the end product.

♥️ Be kind to yourself and allow some compassion for all the heavy things you are going through.

Amazing jumper from Lonely Kids Club

It won't last long, it's the only after school spot left for Art Therapy at Willow Tree Psychology and Wellbeing

Great opportunity if you have young kids!!

FREE Messy Play for young children PROSPECT Get messy ....without the clean up!

Our brains can sometimes be places for overthinking, anxiety, self-doubt, negativity, guilt & self-sabotage.

Our thoughts and headspace are powerful and can influence our ideas around our own self worth, identity and our relationships with others. But a thought is just that... a thought.

Sit with it.
Question what is making you feel this way.

Avoid statements like ‘always, never, no one, everyone or every time’. It can sometimes feel this way, but this can be overwhelming and cloud you from considering your choices or options in a situation.

It's important to sit with thoughts or feelings to understand them,but it's equally important to let them go.

TIP: if something won't leave your headspace, see if writing it down in a journal helps. You can come back to the thought later when you feel settled and can think things through.

See you at Kyd-x!!

We are excited to say we will be attending KYD-X for the first time this year! We are working on some new additions to our services which we will be showcasing at this event! KYD-X is a great way to learn about a range of services that may be able to support you and your family! We would love to see you there so mark it on your calendar!

Try new creative techniques and see what it brings.
° New feelings
° Old memories
° Sense of accomplishment
° Problem solving
° Conquer Mountains

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This was my first attempt at creating a material-scape using the amazing Hannah of as inspiration.

Things don't always work quite as we want if it's something new, but we learn from them and we can try again.
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A lot of people ask how art therapy is different from an art class.

🎨 Art therapy is run by a professionally trained Art Psychotherapist

🎨 In art therapy you and your art are never judged or critiqued for skill. Anyone can do Art Therapy!

🎨 It is about the process, not a beautifully designed art piece at the end.

Credit for second image to .

5 big words in self care:

💛 Space
🧡 Rest
❤ Heal
💜 Listen
💙 Connect

Self care is an important part of every day- how will you support your own wellbeing today?

Credit to for the images.

Exploring feelings, thoughts and your personal narrative through sand play and exploration.

Some different metaphors for our ways of being:

💙 Do you bury your head in the sand when there's conflict?

💜 Do you feel your feelings are swept aside or left forgotten in a corner?

🧡 Are you boxed in? Feeling there's no way to escape?

💛 is there a real divide- two ways a situation could seemingly go (or two paths you could take)

The use of the sand space and a range of symbols can provide insight.

Releasing Rainbows updated their address.

So important!! Those who identify as male often feel societal pressure to reduce their visible emotions and repress important parts of themselves to feel accepted by their peers.

Guys: we hear you, we see you, your emotions are valid and your feelings matter.

Images below from Blokes Psychology

Don't forget to play.

In my therapy sessions you can let your inner child out. Visual art materials are always available, but sometimes acting a scenario, an idea, or your options out in play can be really beneficial.

Play is freeing and has no age limit.

So many great benefits from free play!
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I have completed certified PODD training and I am also one of 2 accredited reps in South Australia to present Easy English.

🗨What is PODD?

Pragmatic organisation dynamic display enables people that are non verbal (or have significant communication barriers) to communicate what they want to say. It allows for autonomy and freedom of expression, supporting the person to say their message and feel heard.

Our AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication) community deserves to be heard, seen and feel a sense of belonging as much as anyone else in the community.

All are welcome at Willow Tree Psychology and Wellbeing and the Felixstow office is accessible for wheelchair users.

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