Evani Counselling & Art Therapy

Ahem…, OK!! Drum Roll Please !!!!
OK I WONT KEEP YOU in suspense any longer….!! (I just know you’ve been holding your breath since my mysterious and enticing post yesterday lol)

ANNOUNCING the new home for Evani Art Therapy & Counselling is now located in the very cosy and awesome Creating Insights - art therapy studio in Warranwood, Melbourne with the wonderful Lou Oui Weston!

After a decade and a half of practising in the community, overseas, in organisations and private practice I am thrilled and slightly dizzy to finally step out on my very own 🙌😊 and deliver art therapy to one and all!!

I’m also so grateful to be able to collaborate with the talented LoLou Oui!

What a dream to come true !!

Let’s see how this journey goes and I’m ready ready ready to dip my big toe into the next step in this great big adventure ❤️❤️

For anyone looking to refer I offer a warm and inviting space to help support well-being with Medicare rebates available.
Check out http://www.creatingcare.com.au/eva-vani-kaufman/ for more info 😊

This is my “I have HUGE EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT BUT U JUST HAVE TO WAIT 24 HOURS” Face !!!! 😱😱😱🙌🙌🙌

Pack pack packing for the next big adventure in the Evani Art Therapy journey… stay tuned to find out where/what/how 🤔😱😱🤓👐👐👐
Also how on earth have I stashed so many art therapy materials ?!! 😅

I am always trying to repurpose used materials through art therapy work, and I live in an awesome community where we gift each other things like this: vintage postcards from around the world!

They are a perfect addition to the materials of my dear dad, who ran his own business as a “Ad Man” (advertising) and graphic designer back in the 50s, so he had a LOT of retro materials that I use in my work with people in art therapy.

Seeing these relics be brought into the current day and used and handled by wonderful souls as they explore their own wellbeing is pure joy.

It’s a beautiful perfect circle and fills my heart with a lightness, excitement and warmth, which in turn reminds me of my dear, amazing, creative dad.

These will awesome for upcoming one on one and workshop work 🙌😁❤️🌈

Creative Play for Wellbeing Part II at the beautiful Kawalang property in central coast NSW was another hit!

Thank you so much to all the courageous souls who journeyed with me into using animals and landscapes as a means of deeper understanding and healing.
The nature here held us in its beauty and wisdom.

Huge gratitude to Goodwill for your collaboration with a sumptuous organic lunch provided from Kawalangs own produce and a venue to die for.
And to my lovely partner Arnaud Arelefor showing up and doing the welbeing art dive and basically being an all rounder of amazing support ❤️🌈

Here we go!! Ready for another amazing art therapy community nature connection adventure!

Aaaand I’m already planning for the next collaborative workshop in NSW Central Coast area, next Friday 28th!!!

This immersive nature and creative experience will involve exploring the gorgeous outer natural landscapes of Keith and Brynnies sustainable property called Kawalang, (meaning abundance in the local First Nations language of Wonnaarua) and then exploring our inner landscapes through the use of creating our own wild habitats, animals and symbolism.

I’ve been gradually reinforcing my animal kingdom as I look forward to this interstate workshop with a Jungian flavour. 🌿🌈
(Ok let’s face it, they all have a Jungian flavour but this one has extra Jungian spice to it!!)

Our third year collaborating together with Green Heart Ecotherapy and another lovely Winter Solstice nature and art workshop.

Thank you to all who courageously showed up to journey into the darkness together.
As Jung says “One does not become enlightened imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

It’s hard to put it into words, but practising connection, creativity, a search for deeper meaning and understanding in a wild environment in connection to others, lifts my soul up with a lightness that can only be described as Joy.

So looking forward to running this with Green Heart Ecotherapy tomorrow at Organ Pipes National Park, as we embrace the darkness of Winter to make for the new.

A Forest bathing experience of quiet contemplation followed by creative play with art materials in nature.

We run this every year and it’s always a hit!
We look forward to you joining us x

Hello All,

We love running this event every year ❤️🌈🌿

Forrest Bathing, Nature Immersion & Creative Play

This is a Winter Soltice event we run every year and is always a hit, please come and join us for a day of quiet contemplation, rewilding and creative play with art materials.

We will be embracing the darkness of winter and let go of what no longer serves us, so we can enter into the new light.

No previous art or outdoor experience necessary, a day of connection to each other and nature.

Your experienced and warm Facilitators Eva (Qualified Sensorimotor Art Therapist and Counsellor) and Hamcol (Qualified Rewilding Practitioner, Eco Therapist and Counsellor).
We’d love to have you join us ❤️

https://events.humanitix.com/winter-soltice-forest-immersion-and-art-for-wellbeing?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2LnOOfRer6eMxjSpr9MXFiT6CK1YI0gEunHirCELZfyjk9C8sPLBdBqfM_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Winter Soltice Forest Immersion & Art for Wellbeing | Humanitix Winter Soltice Forest Immersion and Art for Wellbeing in Nature

As I stared out at the winter trees this morning from my bedroom window, a book caught my eye and I opened it and read this passage from “The Simplest Gift” by Stefanos Xenakis,

“Everything begins only to end. Everything ends only to begin.
Rain and Sunshine are one.
The sea and the Mountain.
The calm and the storm.”

What a poignant start to the shortest day of the year, after a particularly challenging time in my work.

I read this in the local Rudolph Steiner School Update…

“Did you know that winter solstice was celebrated for some cultures as far back as the Neolithic (New Stone Age)?

Excavations at Durrington Walls suggest that people who built and used Stonehenge held huge feasts around this time of year.

In Rudolf Steiner's lecture GA20 'Calendar of the Soul' he stated that 'Inner life changes along with the changing seasons of nature, as the two are intimately connected.”

As a child growing up in the Blue Mountains, we would celebrate the turn of seasons through creativity and ritual at our Steiner school called Korowal, named after the great Mountain in our valley.

Reflecting back on this now, it is no wonder to me why I do what I do for a living and how I adore it. ❤️

I am so grateful for this life and the lessons it teaches us, and so looking forward to our Winter Solstice Workshop tomorrow. 🌿🙏🏻

Winter Soltice Forest Immersion & Art for Wellbeing | Humanitix Winter Soltice Forest Immersion and Art for Wellbeing in Nature

Looking forward to hosting our monthly Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Art Therapist Peer Supervision tomorrow, peer support and lifting each other up as we navigate through our work is so important for our well-being in our work. 🙌❤️

Exploring natural dyes, sharing life stories and self care thanks Moon for sharing the process ❤️

Hello All,

We love running this event every year ❤️🌈🌿

Forrest Bathing, Nature Immersion & Creative Play

This is a Winter Soltice event we run every year and is always a hit, please come and join us for a day of quiet contemplation, rewilding and creative play with art materials.

We will be embracing the darkness of winter and let go of what no longer serves us, so we can enter into the new light.

No previous art or outdoor experience necessary, a day of connection to each other and nature.

Your experienced and warm Facilitators Eva (Qualified Sensorimotor Art Therapist and Counsellor) and Hamcol (Qualified Rewilding Practitioner, Eco Therapist and Counsellor).
We’d love to have you join us ❤️

https://events.humanitix.com/winter-soltice-forest-immersion-and-art-for-wellbeing?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2LnOOfRer6eMxjSpr9MXFiT6CK1YI0gEunHirCELZfyjk9C8sPLBdBqfM_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Winter Soltice Forest Immersion & Art for Wellbeing | Humanitix Winter Soltice Forest Immersion and Art for Wellbeing in Nature

Wonderful energy from retreat participants in the Symbol of Strength and Mindful Mandala art workshop I facilitated on the weekend at the Nature and Art Mindful Retreat organised by Yulia Mitchell in the Yarra Ranges.
Body Breath Mindful Counseling & Training.

It’s that time of year again ! 🙌🙌❤️🌿
The collab between myself and Amy from Green Heart Eco Therapy

Winter Soltice Forest Immersion & Art for Wellbeing

An amazing day of forest bathing and creative expression in nature ❤️

https://events.humanitix.com/winter-soltice-forest-immersion-and-art-for-wellbeing?_gl=1*1244rzf*_ga*MTExNTg3MDQ2Mi4xNzE2ODUzMzI5*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*MTcxNjk1NTY5My4yLjEuMTcxNjk1NTk4Mi42MC4wLjA.

Winter Soltice Forest Immersion & Art for Wellbeing | Humanitix Winter Soltice Forest Immersion and Art for Wellbeing in Nature

I love the “prep” stage wherever I offer a workshop, it’s fun, creative and meditative as I try to embody the yet-to -be-known participants and how they will engage with the materials and process. ❤️🌿🌺🌈☀️

Getting excited to collab with the wonderful Yulia from Body Breath Counselling for the upcoming nature Art retreat in the Dandenongs.

Come and find a sense of purpose as we play in our latest Creative Art & Play for Wellbeing Workshop at Kawalang, Murray’s Run, Friday June 28th 10-2pm.

What will be doing?
The day offers a mindful immersion into the gorgeous Kawalang bush, and the opportunity to make our very own landscapes using a range of art materials, found nature objects, symbolism and animals.
Through this wonderful journey we can clarify and support the different parts of ourselves coming together to create strength and a deep sense for purpose for our lives.

This is a fantastic day and includes a sumptuous lunch prepared with organic produce from the incredible Kawalang property, all materials and opportunity for connection.

We can’t wait for you to join us 😍🌿🍃🌞

https://events.humanitix.com/creative-art-and-play-for-wellbeing-ii

Where is Kawalang ?
Kawalang is a sustainable property in Murray’s Run, NSW a few hours north of Sydney that values connecting to land, growing and sharing.

Who is facilitating?
Eva Vani Kaufman is an experienced Sensorimotor Art Therapist and Mental Health Social Worker with over 17 years experience.

Come and find a sense of purpose as we play in our latest Creative Art & Play for Wellbeing Workshop at Kawalang!!

What will be doing?
The day offers a mindful immersion into the gorgeous Kawalang bush, and the opportunity to make our very own landscapes using a range of art materials, found nature objects, symbolism and animals.
Through this wonderful journey we can clarify and support the different parts of ourselves coming together to create strength and a deep sense for purpose for our lives.

This is a fantastic day and includes a sumptuous lunch prepared with organic produce from the incredible Kawalang property, all materials and opportunity for connection.

We can’t wait for you to join us 😍🌿🍃🌞

https://events.humanitix.com/creative-art-and-play-for-wellbeing-ii

Where is Kawalang ?
Kawalang is a sustainable property in Murray’s Run, NSW a few hours north of Sydney that values connecting to land, growing and sharing.

Who is facilitating?
Eva Vani Kaufman is an experienced Sensorimotor Art Therapist and Mental Health Social Worker with over 17 years experience.

Guess who turned up as the exact shade of bergundy to the Rainbow Monochome dress up party ?!!!

Matching berets to boot
with my mate from Saltwater Studio - Wamberal

Ok. Just WOW.
That. Was. Incredible!!!
It’s actually hard to put into words, but deep connection with like minded creative souls, giggling, playing, literally screaming covered in paint (ok that was the rebirthing session it was AWESOME)

This years annual Creative Mental Health Forum did. Not. Disappoint!! It’s held every year in regional Vic and creative therapists come from all around the country to join in.

The feeling of happiness I get when around by those that truly feel to be “my people” Is palpable!!
My creative cup is much fuller now, and I needed to go just to see that it needed a top up!
Thanks SO much to the amazing Dr Carla van Laar Creative Arts Therapy for organising such an immersive soulful excellence!!

I’ve walked away remembering that we can use play and humour in almost anything, and with a strong true belief in myself in my next steps on this planet.

What an amazing day with Mitchell and Mindful Walking Women in Melbourne.

Being present in nature, connection, contemplation and our own found object art therapy beach Sandplay and life and strengths trees.

Can’t wait to reconnect more especially with our collaboration at an upcoming art and nature retreat in May. ❤️
walks in Melbourne body breath - mindful counselling and training

Looking Forward to our collab with Yulia from Mindful Walks for Women in Melbourne tomorrow as we soak up nature by the ocean in Sorrento, and then delve into an sensory nature based sand, art and nature immersion led by yours truly.

I’ve always loved, loved, loved the sensation of plunging my hands into sand, swirling and creating my own world, what a sense of adventure we can create in this little world.

A few spots are still available 😁

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1205998?fbclid=IwAR07cCbb4OjEfLTINMFd_J9cG9DstIYZZ6akQqRDKCQqSghNoJYH6n_MXSY

(Sandplay image taken from NCSM.Com)