Welcome to the website of Drawing Within and also the Art Therapy studio and Therapeutic garden, where we strive to make everyone feel safe, supported and included. We know some groups can feel less safe attending organizations such as this, including: * Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities, * Refugee and multicultural communities, * Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and Intersex (LGBTQI) communities, * Those with disabilities. You don't have to let us know if you identify as one of these groups, but we want you to know that if you do, that information will be confidential, unless you or someone else is at risk of hurt or harm. Also it will not affect the quality of the service we provide you. Drawing Within says no to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism. So if you are tired of retelling your story, and feel you have no more words left, why not try Creative Arts Therapy? It's true a picture is worth a 1000 words - allow this and creativity to be your voice. Draw within to your inner place of images, symbols, memories and stories, and together I can support you to find meaning in your life.
Hi I’m Marie Bajada, a registered, professional Creative Arts Therapist with ANZACATA, practising as a mental health practitioner. My work is underpinned by my Master's level university training in Art therapy, education studies, neuroscience and many years of experience.
I enjoy working with children, young people and adults across their life span. My services are available Australia wide online, or face to face in the Ballarat, Grampians regions and Moorabool shire of western Victoria.
There are many wonderful benefits of using Creative Arts to help you express, explore and unpack difficult experiences or life issues and gain new insights, meaning and healing for yourself. Creativity is in all of us and allowing it to have a voice, may help you find your voice in other areas of your life. A recent parent of a client I was working with stated "Art therapy is good because it doesn't rely on words, but uses 3D symbols and image cards to prompt communication and thought patterns."
You do not need to be artistic to participate and cannot make a mistake in this work. I will companion you along the way, as you experiment and play with modalities of your choice.
Collaboratively we will carefully select art materials and processes in sequential steps to assist you to move towards your mental health and life goals. I will offer you many different art modalities as a means of exploring your story. These include:
ANZACATA is the peak professional body for Art therapists in Australia, NZ and Asia. Please watch their video below explaining what Creative Arts therapy is and the work of Art Therapists.
Something about me
In 2018 I realised a life-long dream and completed my Masters in Therapeutic Arts practice at the MIECAT Institute in Melbourne. Half-way through the year I broke my ankle and found my life and study plans turned upside down.
Both an Arts project and artefact were components of my study requirements. So despite being bed ridden, I turned to Creative Arts therapies as a vehicle for expressing my Journey of Vulnerability. This was done through digital media, where I documented the story of my brokenness and healing. My leg cast became my artefact, as I explored the Japanese art of Kintsugi and then created 7 Kintsugi Kings, who represented the faces of my community who supported me in this vulnerability.
Click here to see my Kintsugi Kings and listen to me narrating this story
Once I was literally and metaphorically back on my feet and walking, I realised I do indeed Walk the Talk with this passion of mine: Creative Arts Therapies.
My Workplace Supervisor made the following comments:
"Your Master's degree had many twists, turns and hurdles and took you on a journey of vulnerability. I am so honoured that I bore witness to this journey, your humility, tenacity, courage and your remarkable achievement. I have been inspired by your work with clients, you demonstrated a genuine compassion and commitment to them, even when the going got tough. It is wonderful to see you claiming the space of the experienced, competent, compassionate and creative arts therapist that you are." C. Taylor Dec 2018
My qualifications are:
Memberships I belong to:
Esential Child Safe/ Health and Police Checks:
Networks I connect with:
NDIS
As a registered, professional Art Therapist with ANZACATA, I am available to offer Art Therapy as Therapeutic Supports to NDIS participants, who are Plan-managed or Self-managed using the following NDIS item details:
Please contact your local NDIS LAC (Local Area Coordinator), NDIS Support Coordinator for more details or contact me directly.
Inspiration for 2022
I'm inspired by Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM, an Aboriginal activist, educator and artist of the Ngan'gtiyemerri language group situated around the Daly river in Northen Territory. She is the first indigenous teacher to work in the Northern Territory and promotes Dadirri- Inner deep listening and quiet still awareness.
As we move into a new world of Covid and at times forced isolation and change, I think we all need some Dadirri time to quieten the mind, body and spirit. Click here to read and watch the video of Miriam Rose talking about Dadirri and be inspired.
Acknowledgement of Country
Drawing Within welcomes all communities and works in harmony with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands, skies and waterways, where we provide services to the Wadawurrung, DjaDja Wurrung, Djab Wurrung and Jadwadjali peoples.
We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge their continuing culture and contribution to the life of this city and south western region of Victoria. Click her to view their Aboriginal flags
We are committed to providing safe therapeutic spaces to First Nations's people to connect to their culture, countries and communities, as well as celebrating the LGBTIQ community and fostering diversity and all abilities. Click here to view the new LGBTIQ flag
Contact me on:
I would love to hear from you.♥
