art therapy and sandplay

for adults and children

Liuba Ponomarew

Registered Art Therapist

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

mobile: 0401 393 260

email: liuba.ponomarew@gmail.com

About art therapy

Art therapists are skilled in working with images. The word ‘images’ refers not only to pictures or objects made in a session, but also to dreams, symbols, photographs, found objects, work made in the sandtray, or evocative gestures made by the hands or body.

Pictures made in art therapy are not necessarily literal representations of something. They can record feelings, sensations and impulses, or unconscious material which emerges when exploring with art materials in a spirit of curiosity or play. An image remains as a record or imprint of these experiences and can continue to unfold it’s significance over time.

Art therapy can be a helpful way to explore a range of issues across the life-span, including spirituality, transition and change, grief and loss, trauma, stress and conflict, body and self image, and family and relationship issues.

Training for art therapists in Australia is at post-graduate level, and practitioners are eligible to register with ANZATA, the Australian & New Zealand Art Therapy Association.

Art therapy for children

Art therapy is a gentle way to work with children, developing confidence and resilience, stimulating creativity and imagination and assisting children to communicate and integrate their life experiences.

About Liu

Liu has worked therapeutically through the arts in a range of clinical, community and studio settings for over 10 years. Her professional experience includes mental health, youth and family work, addictions, working with indigenous communities and individual art therapy with adults and children.

Liu draws on a range of approaches including play therapy, sandplay, narrative therapy and meditation and mindfulness practises. At the heart of her work is a belief in the capacity of art to heal, integrate and celebrate the richness and depth of human experience .