Tess Elliott ~ Social Worker ~Creative Arts Therapist
Self-exploration is the cornerstone of my creative and therapy work, both personally & professionally. A practicing Artist for over 30 years, I have extensive experience in art teaching and group facilitation. I am a qualified Art Therapist (Dip. of Transpersonal Art Therapy (2014). My art therapy field of understanding & trauma informed practices have developed through my own transpersonal experiences, extensive training and use of creative arts processes to gain a more holistic approach to life. I completed training in sensorimotor body focused psychotherapy in 2018 and obtained Bachelor Social Work in mid 2023.
Since 2014 I have worked in private practice and with community agencies, facilitating groups in creative arts therapy workshops and holding exhibitions e.g., pertaining to domestic and sexual violence issues & recovery. In 2016, I was invited to work in a primary school in an Indigenous community, and the program involved weekly creative arts therapy sessions with children (7-12 age) dealing with trauma and multiple complex issues.
I take a client centered transpersonal approach with children & adults dealing with life transitions e.g. childhood to adolescence, mid-life or career change, and peak experiences. A focus on trauma and recovery, grief and loss, blocked creativity, deep ecology and personal development are key areas of practice. As a facilitator I hold workshops and retreats in inner child healing and deep ecology. No art skills are required to attend creative arts therapy sessions or workshops,
I am available by pre-arranged appointments, in the South Burnett region, and travel extensively when required. Please view Services for full details, including upcoming workshops and group programs.
Testimonials "My experience of Art Therapy with Tess was profound. I came into the set of five sessions not sure what to expect as I didn’t consider myself “damaged”- it was curiosity. It soon transpired that there were hurts through my life that had left their mark. Using colour, paint and sand play, Tess was able to facilitate an awareness that allowed me to work through the buried emotions". Katie (18 March 2018)
"I first saw Tess for Inner Child Art Therapy and it was absolutely life changing. Tess holds strong, safe space which held me enough to explore inner child issues all the while adapting to whatever moods I moved through. Tess has a maturity that enables her to meet her clients with depth, humour, care and compassion. I am so grateful I found Tess and was able to let go of childhood wounding's and move on to further personal growth." Karen (9 May 2018)