Mara Elwood

I am currently accepting clients through The Dunes Practice in Lyall Bay.  Please contact [email protected] to book an appointment. Depending on your needs I may also be able to see you online.  If this interests you please contact me directly for a 30 minute zoom screening to see if this would be appropriate in your case. I do believe that Arts Therapy is much richer if done in person.

My approach is anchored in Mindfulness and compassion, and is intuitive and invitational.  This allows us to find the most easeful way to work with what concerns you.  I am an insatiable creative and believe strongly that creativity is a necessary part of balanced wellbeing. I will invite you to try many different forms of creativity including visual arts, movement, writing, music and speech. I have used creativity to find easefulness while living with chronic migraine pain, and know that creativity can also help you find what you need to live a more easeful and fulfilling life.

I work with adults and youth age 18+, am a Registered Creative Arts Therapist, Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher, certified in Mindful Self-Compassion, and a creative. I am a member of the Australia, New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapist Association (ANZACATA).

My areas of specialty are:

• Anxiety
• Mindfulness
• Self-Compassion
• Pain management
• Chronic Pain
• Trauma
• Sensory Engagement
• Emotion Regulation
• Low Self-esteem
• Self-care
• Burnout
• Resilience building

I have studied the Felt Sense Polyvagal Method for treatment of trauma and addiction, Focusing Oriented Arts Therapy (FOAT), Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, and have my Level 2 training in Stand Tray and Symbol Work. I love to work with Mandalas and am certified in the Mandala Assessment and Research Instrument (MARI). I work with Trauma Informed Mindfulness practices and am certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion. My Clinical Master’s dissertation was focussed on living with chronic pain and working in the health care profession. I use my learning from my own journey with chronic pain to guide me when working with clients who are experiencing this challenge.