
MY LIGHT
Art Therapy
What is
Art Therapy?
Art therapy uses art to connect our internal thoughts and feelings with our external experiences. Self-expression through creativity encourages personal growth, insight and transformation helping to restore our physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing. Art therapy offers support to children, adolescents, and adults in managing overwhelming emotions, traumatic experiences, mental illness, disability and physical illness. No artistic talent or experience is necessary. Focus is on the connection between the creative process and developing insight not artistic skill.
About Orly

Orly Appel AThR is a registered art therapist qualified in both creative and psychotherapeutic approaches to support clients with emotional expression, self-awareness, emotional regulation and facilitating wellbeing.
Following the completion of her Master of Art Therapy, Orly has a professional membership with ANZACATA, certified practicing membership with PACFA, and degrees in both Textile Design and Teaching.
With over 15 years of experience working with children as an art educator and a background in printmaking and textile design, she is passionate about the healing potential of art materials to express difficult emotions, promote wellbeing and support overall mental health.
Orly works within a person-centred strength- based approach to empower clients to discover their own meaning in making. Expression through the creative arts supports individuals in experiencing difficult emotions that can be challenging to express verbally.
​
How Art Therapy Works
Creating the art itself is often restorative and your therapist may simply observe your creative process, or the artwork may be used to enhance a verbal discussion. Art therapy integrates the use of psychotherapy and the belief that the process of art making is therapeutic in itself. When you have finished your art making, or at times while still engaged, your therapist may ask questions about your process and any thoughts or feelings that may arise.
​
Supporting recovery from:
1.
Neurodivergent / ASD
2.
Child, youth & Adult mental health
3.
Eating disorders
4.
Emotional regulation
5.
Depression & Anxiety
