This 3-hour online workshop will offer frameworks that have proven effective in working with diverse populations in group settings. In multicultural contexts, the 'how' of the relational approach is of equal importance to the 'what' of the intervention, and whereas archetypal approaches can effectively span the divides, sensitivity to the nuances of different cultural backgrounds needs to be an equally considered part.

Jungian theories will be explored from the perspective of an underlying rationale rather than an analytical lens. Contrary cultural theoretical perspectives will be considered in relationship to working with the archetypal, and solid grounds established as a platform for positive group dynamics and effective interventions. Creative and interactive responses will be an interwoven dimension of this journey of gaining experience of recommended practices.

Resources required by participants for the session

1. An object of significance: An object to share that signifies cultural identity or your personal story
   Prepare the following one-sentence answers for introductions:
   1. Your name and culture(s) of origin Your object and why chosen Your current or most recent Arts Therapies work context
   2. A range of media is advised, and particularly the preferred media of the arts therapist practitioner. The following are suggested:
      Dry media: pencils, pastels, colouring pens
      Wet media: paints, inks, and brushes
      Art papers: A4/ A3/ A2
      Optional: Glue, Items collected from nature, magazine cut-out images of interest, other mixed media/ sculptural materials and tools

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe 3 or more archetypal approaches which have proven effective in multicultural settings and how these have been combined with relational approaches for effective therapeutic outcomes.
2. Identify multimodal and material considerations in working with culturally diverse populations and biases which can hinder the development of effective interventions.
3. Explain why archetypal approaches need to be considered from both universal and culturally based perspectives in working cross-culturally and identify 3 or more considerations to apply in therapy.

PRESENTER BIO

Marion Gordon-Flower is a Registered Creative Arts Therapist working for Mauri Tui Tuia in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. She has a background in teaching and has also worked in youth justice and mental health youth respite. She utilises person-centred, holistic approaches which foster oranga (wellbeing), mana (self-esteem), and whakawhānaungatanga (community connection and confidence). Her primary modality is visual arts; however, she also incorporates music and aspects of drama and expressive dance movement into her practice, based on therapeutic needs and goals. She is an internationally published writer in creative arts therapies. Marion identifies as bicultural having grown up in a Tūhoe community in Te Urewera, Central North Island, and connection with Papatūānuku (nature) remains an important aspect of her lifestyle and work.

When: Saturday 31 January 2026
Time: 12pm-3pm AEST
2pm-5pm NZST (Presenter time)
9am-12pm AWST/HKT/SGT
Duration/CPD: 3 CPD hours
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: Practising and On Leave members
Min/Max: 15/30
Recorded session: Yes

Cancellation Policy:
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

Cultural competence is a dynamic and evolving practice that empowers individuals to engage ethically and effectively across cultural differences. It begins with understanding who we are, how we're positioned in the world, and how that shapes our interactions with others. Cultural competence is a deeply personal journey that supports the creation of culturally safe spaces, enables ethical decision-making, and can enrich our work with our clients and our peers.

Led by Associate Professor Gabrielle Russell from the University of Sydney's National Centre for Cultural Competence, this interactive session invites participants to explore cultural competence as a lived, relational, and responsive practice. Participants are invited to reflect on how cultural competence emerges through personal self-reflection, responsiveness to those we work with, and the willingness to question our assumptions—both in our professional roles and personal interactions.

Through facilitated dialogue and reflective inquiry, participants will unpack what it means to embed cultural competence meaningfully within your own context. This session offers a space to reflect, connect, and act with intention supporting your development as a culturally competent individual who can make a difference in your own practice and relationships.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the foundations of cultural competence - Participants will be able to describe what cultural competence means and why it is essential for ethical and effective practice.
2. Reflect on personal identity - Participants will examine how their own backgrounds and experiences, influence their interactions with clients and colleagues across cultural differences.
3. Recognise the role of self-reflection and responsiveness- Participants will identify ways in which cultural competence emerges through ongoing self-reflection, responsiveness to others, and a willingness to question assumptions in both professional and personal contexts.
4. Explore strategies for creating culturally safe spaces- Participants will discuss practical approaches to fostering culturally safe environments and making ethical decisions in diverse settings.
5. Commit to Action for Continued Development
   Participants will set personal intentions for further developing cultural competence, including identifying next steps to embed these practices meaningfully within their own work and relationships.

PRESENTER BIO

Associate Professor Gabrielle Russell is the Academic Director at the University of Sydney's National Centre for Cultural Competence. Her multidisciplinary research explores cultural competence at the intersection of cultural studies, Indigenous methodologies, health and wellbeing, Whiteness, critical race theory, and organisational change. Gabrielle's work focuses on developing ethical and responsive leadership capabilities, challenging systemic inequities, and embedding cultural competence across higher education and other sectors.

When: Friday 6 February 2026
Time: 2 pm – 4 pm AEDT (Presenter time)
4 pm – 6 pm NZDT
11 am – 1 pm AWST/SGT/HKT
Duration/CPD: 2hrs
Where: Zoom
Cost: $40 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: ANZACATA Practising/On Leave/Student members
Max: 30 participants
Recorded session: Yes

Cancellation Policy:
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.

Play is key in clowning and therapy. It is only in play can the adult or child be creative and use their whole personality to discover the self (Winnicott, 2005). This event explores the world of the clown and the importance of play in developing relationship. Nine core principles developed from clowning, are used to inform creative arts therapies facilitation practice. The unsocialized self, openness, vulnerability, emotion, play, speed of fun, honesty, spontaneity and failure are key to the clown's ability to build a relationship with the audience. In this event the speaker explores how these same attributes can also be harnessed in therapy to develop the therapeutic relationship and bring the client into a playful encounter to discover their own creative and playful potential. This event will be a presentation with some experiential activities.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Appraise clowning as a facilitator of play
• Reflect on your personal responses to the clowning
• Identify and analyse how you can develop your skills as a facilitator of play in therapy.

PRESENTER BIO

Drew Bird is an Associate Professor and head of Creative Arts Therapies at the University of Melbourne. He has been a social worker and drama therapist for over 20 years working with trauma in children, young people and adults and palliative care and community work settings. He was editor of the Dramatherapy Journal from 2021 to 2023. His doctorate explored the therapeutic relationship and how this has the potential to mirror the dynamic between audience and actor. He is widely published and presents internationally. Current research interest explores how clowning can inform the playful relationship in therapy.

When: Sunday 8 February 2026
Time: 11 am to 1pm AEDT
(1 pm NZDT, 8 am AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 2hrs
Where: Zoom
Cost: $50 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: Practising and On Leave members
Min/Max: 15/30 participants
Recorded session: Yes

Cancellation Policy:
When you register and pay to attend one of our events, you are holding a space on our calendar that is no longer available to other members. In order to be respectful of your fellow members and the presenter, please email us as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the event. We keep our events as affordable as possible and need to pay presenters the fee they request. While we understand sometimes urgent matters come up, if registrants cancel at the last minute, we struggle to pay presenters. A full refund will be given if the cancellation occurs more than 24 hours before the event. If the cancellation occurs less than 24 hours before the event, 50% of your registration fee will be refunded only to defray our costs.