Beauty Forgiveness Healing Art therapy studio is moving to salisbury, closer to Brisbane (...and a bit about NDIS)

Hello and Happy New Year 2025 to you my blog post Reader!

I have been in Springwood location running my little art therapy studio for 2.5 years now. I have established a small client base which, I am very happy to say, is following me to Salisbury! Thank you!

When I reflect back on the past 2.5 years, I have many fond memories of the times I spent either with my clients (therapy), friends (art inspirations) or by myself (painting and other kinds of solitary dabbles) in my studio... I "always" wanted to know what it would be like to run my own art therapy business. I was a late starter compared to many of my colleagues who took an advantage of the NDIS early on. But in 2021 I rented the most affordable space I could find close to home (so I would not need to spend my time sitting in the traffic). I was first referred a few clients by my colleague who is now retired. Most of those clients are still with me today! I have also received referrals from Mental Health Support Coordinators. It is usually the same two or three support coordinators who refer their clients to me. It is a good working relationship that I appreciate very much. There are also clients who have found my art therapy practice through Psychology Today or Google Maps or through my website. The client base waxes and wanes. The reasons for finishing the art therapy might be that the funding ends for the sessions (such as with UIHS), the young person matures (perhaps they find school counselling to suit them better), the person finds another kind of therapy to better suit their needs (music therapy, equine therapy, getting a therapy dog etc). The "core clients" seem to stick with me. By core clients I mean adult people with severe mental health diagnoses who are in a more or less stable mental health condition thanks to adhering to their prescribed medication. Art therapy session is one of those therapy sessions that keeps them grounded in their schedule, usually bringing joy and validation, as well as opportunities to connect and find reflective spaces.

The NDIS funding is now in turmoil, including the art therapy funding. At the time of writing this blog post, we art therapists only know that a preliminary review is taking place and that the outcome should come about by mid-March 2025. The Minister for NDIS, Bill Shorten, who has already stated he is leaving his position, informed late November 2024 that art therapy funding - as we know it- ceases in a few days. We, the art therapists and the clients who were aware, were in an absolute shock. We were given less than a week to prepare for the change. There was no warning, just rumours and guesswork circulating before this official announcement. Bill claims that there was, the art therapists' umbrella organisation says there wasn't. It's like the classic "he said, we said" situation...

Bill has offered that because art therapy is not a regulated practice, the changes in funding are taking place. (He did not mention that NDIS is too expensive, therefore the government needs to slice off some of the costs.) He has also stated that the evidence base is not there for art therapy sessions to continue at the current rate of pay. I wonder, how the evidence base has diminished in the past 10 years so that art therapy is now less evidence based than 10 years ago... Especially with all the evidence that has come from neuroscience and psychiatry?

I also know that my colleagues have tertiary level studies in art therapy - they are qualified and accredited. But I also know a couple of people who say they are art therapists although they are not. That is why I ask everyone considering art therapy to ask questions about the qualifications and registrations with Anzacata or PACFA. If the "therapist" is not qualified for a full membership, I would find a qualified art therapist.

The current funding model allows the art therapists charge the same as social workers. It seems like a lot of money for a session (max about $193 per 50-60 minutes) but from a small business owner perspective it is about the right amount. Now Bill Shorten wants art therapists to charge one third of that amount. I cannot fathom how any small business owner can manage with so little. I am moving to a much cheaper place so that I am able to actually say I am getting a salary.

After getting an expensive degree (this is in tens of thousands of dollars), losing money whilst doing the degree (there are unpaid, compulsory work placements for 2 years, which prevents getting a full-time job or making it difficult to find a part-time job), losing in super money, then finally starting to work only to pay rent, insurances, compulsory trainings, compulsory supervisions, art materials, transport costs, internet and phone costs, advertisement costs. There are probably loads more that the $193 has to stretch. And I am not even registered with NDIS because a) it is not compulsory (yet) b) it is terribly expensive. And finally if I saw six clients a day for five days a week, I would make a basic salary for myself, I suppose. But I can't. Vicarious trauma and burn out are real issues in the 'people helping people' field of work.

I love providing art therapy. I also use the art therapy ideas and practices for myself as well as with clients. It is good for me. And you if you like. So if you read my post this far and you are considering art therapy, feel free to contact me.

Reflection with permission.