Creatively Embodied 2022 

Creatively Embodied is a body image group using therapeutic art making to help build skills and insight to nurture a more peaceful relationship with yourself and your body.

 

Over the span of seven sessions you will discover and learn in-depth  ways of using the concept of a 'body narrative' to explore the themes, characters and dynamics of your story to re-experience your body in a less critical and more compassionate way. I will guide you through this process and support you to feel empowered to reclaim your body narrative from society and embody your right to re-define your story. 

 

As an art therapist, I create unique and powerful healing tools using basic art materials to support people healing through body image issues and body disconnection - and you don't need to be good at art to benefit. During Creatively Embodied you can expect each session to combine psychoeducation, healing discussion and therapeutic art making as an experiential approach to strengthen your relationship with yourself and your body.

 

See group dates and times

​

What you get from Creatively Embodied:

​

• Seven, 90-minute sessions with a registered art therapist and body image specialist.

​

• A small group environment with a maximum of 8 to 10 participants - lots of genuine connection with likeminded people.

​

• A therapeutic, creative method captured in take home resources and worksheets you can use time and time again to continue your body image healing even after the group ends.

​

• A nurturing, reparative space to express and honour what it's been like in your body without needing to use words alone.​​

​

• Guidance and real-time practice for how to use the creative process to see your body from a compassionate, less critical lens​​.

​

Reflections from past participants

​

• "I had tried to embrace body positivity various ways, on my own and with a general therapist, but didn’t receive the support (I know realize) I needed and deserved and constantly found myself falling back into harmful thinking patterns. Since completing Creatively Embodied, I’ve been able to use the tools I learned to regularly practice self-compassion and self-love. The art making allowed me to express feels I couldn’t put into words, identify things I didn’t know I was avoiding, and gave me visuals that I use in difficult moments. At the time, CE felt like my last hope, but now I can see it was my first real step towards loving myself as I deserve."

​

• "I loved being a part of this small and intimate group as we explored our relationships with our bodies. Ashlee was a gentle and loving presence and guided us each to find safety and artistic expression. I was amazed by how well we were able to express ourselves and connect in an online setting, and I believe it was due to Ashlee’s professionalism, expertise, warmth, and compassion."

​

• "This group was so comfortable that all of us experienced or are experiencing the same thing. I don’t know how to draw however, I was able to do what I feel and Ashlee helped me to be gentle with my inner critic. I have felt so much less intense negative and depressing feelings about my body during and after."

​

Why art making?

​

Art has an important role in this group – it’s not there to make you feel bad about your skills or lack of 'talent'. In fact, talent or skills has nothing to do with the way we use art in this group. Art making helps you access and express your inner world and develop interoceptive awareness. This inner awareness helps you build your body literacy and supports you get to know the unique language of your body. This is important as interoceptive awareness plays a role in emotional regulation, positive body image and embodiment. As art making is woven throughout, it means you are using your whole brain, rather than just the top 'cognitive' part. This helps integrate what you learn and discover in our group in a way that’s uniquely meaningful to you, instead of just understanding it on an intellectual level.

 

 

Values you can expect from Creatively Embodied

​

As a facilitator, I am committed to ensuring group spaces are fat positive, anti-diet and trauma-informed. The education in this group will be grounded within social justice and intersectional feminist understandings of the body. You are not required to have an in-depth understanding of these perspectives, but agree to have an open, curious mind.

​

Session topic overview

​

Each session will follow a similar structure of welcome/check-in, psychoeducation, verbal sharing, art experiential, verbal processing and closing ritual. Verbal sharing/processing is also optional, you do not need to share if you don't feel comfortable and will still benefit.

​

• Session One: Body image basics and foundations

• Session Two: Your body narrative - themes

• Session Three: Unpacking your body narrative - the three main characters BN, BC and HC

• Session Four: The BC and HC - relational dynamics, body scapegoating, internalisation

• Session Five: The BN and HC - relational dynamics, attachment and emotional regulation

• Session Six: Revisiting the body narrative - reframing and reexperiencing

• Session Seven: Integration, reflection and closure

​

Materials you need:

​

• Colour pencils and markers

• Oil pastels (12 colours is often enough)

• Watercolour and 3 brushes of various sizes

• Air dry clay or ceramic clay 1kg or 2lb (required for session 5 and 7

• A visual journal at least A4 or 8x11in

• Pencil and eraser

• Any other art material you enjoy or want to try

​

Fees and payment options

Online via Zoom: $410 AUD (Approx $297 USD)

To secure your place: Email Ashlee here with the subject CE Registration, state the group you wish to join and if you require a payment plan. A welcome email, intake and invoice will be sent to you within 24 hours. A $100 AUD deposit is required to secure your place, with the remaining fee or 1st instalment due 2 weeks before the start date. Please consider your availability and commitment as refunds will only be considered in extenuating circumstances.

​

CHOOSE YOUR GROUP AND REGISTER

​

Payment plans: Two instalments of  $205 AUD - 1st payment due to secure your place on sign up and 2nd payment due before Session 4. If you require greater flexibility, please let us know in the registration email.

 

Refunds

Please ensure you can commit to the session schedule as outlined on this page as refunds cannot be offered after the balance has been paid or instalment schedule has commenced. Special circumstances considered. Withdrawing from the group with short notice or during the group means your space will not be filled.

​

​