ANZACATA upcoming events

ANZACATA Tier Pathway Plan implementation - opportunity for queries and feedback (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Panel: Helen Killmier (Chair of Board), Supreet Chadha (Board Member) and James Beckford Saunders (CEO).

The panel will summarise the analysis of the Membership Survey related to the draft Tier Pathway Plan, which informed the Board's recent decision both to approve the Plan and the development of an implementation approach for the Tier Pathway.

As you are aware the Tier Pathway Plan was developed over several months and went through a detailed process where it has been approved by each and every one of our 10 Masters degree course co-ordinators as rigorous, appropriate and fair.

Building on the feedback already provided including through the Members' survey, this is another opportunity for you to provide further queries or comments on its implementation. This webinar is intended to be the first of a range of activities to support Tier members wanting to take the pathway and will include nuanced responses to individual circumstances.

If you can, please provide any questions or comments related to the implementation of the Tier Pathway Plan, in order that these can be considered prior to the webinar. Click here to provide your questions and comments.

This webinar will be recorded for those not available.

When: Wednesday 29 April 2026
Time: 1pm- 2pm AEST
(11am AWST/CST/ SST, ACST 12.30pm, 3pm NZST)
Duration/CPD: 1 hour
Where: ZOOM
Cost: Free
Open to: All members
Recorded session: No (privacy reasons)

Art therapy for reducing distress in acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health care with Sarah Versitano (04 May 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

This presentation examines the role of art therapy in acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), specifically its impact on minimising restrictive interventions like seclusion and physical restraint. The session details findings from two key studies:

Quantitative Analysis: Evidence demonstrating a statistically significant correlation between art therapy provision and reduced rates of seclusion, restraint, and intramuscular injected sedation.
Qualitative Insights: Feedback from young people (ages 12–17) regarding how art therapy interventions support emotional regulation by externalising internal states.

The data suggests that art therapy provides a critical non-verbal pathway for agency and distress reduction in inpatient settings. Professionals will gain an understanding of how integrating these therapeutic approaches can support the clinical goal of moving toward less restrictive care environments for young people.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this CPD activity, participants will be able to:

Analyse clinical data linking art therapy interventions to a statistically significant decrease in the frequency and duration of restrictive practices (such as seclusion, restraint, and sedation) within acute CAMHS.
Translate qualitative findings into practice by identifying how art-based externalisation specifically supports emotional regulation and agency for young people in high-acuity environments.
Advocate for the role of art therapy as a primary, evidence-based non-verbal intervention for de-escalating distress and improving safety protocols in multidisciplinary inpatient teams.

Presenter bio

Sarah Versitano is a senior art therapist based at an inpatient child and adolescent mental health service within the Sydney Local Health District. She is the co-chair of the NSW Ministry of Health advisory group for Art Therapy, Child Life Therapy, and Music Therapy. Additionally, she is a clinical supervisor for the Master of Art Therapy program at Western Sydney University, where she is currently a PhD candidate. Her recent research publications can be viewed via ResearchGate. LinkedIn.

Date: Monday 4 May 2026
Time: 11am–12.30pm AEST
1pm NZST
9am AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 1.5 hrs incl. Q&A
Where: Zoom
Cost: $25 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: Practising and On-leave
Min/Max Registrations: 10/Unlimited
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

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.

Creative Regulation: Art Psychotherapy Approaches for Neurodivergent Clients with Sarah Falkenberg Hassan (12 May 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:30:00 GMT

This 3-hour interactive CPD webinar offers an exploration of Art Therapy processes that support emotional regulation in neurodivergent clients. The session will examine how creative, sensory, and symbolic expression can support regulation, insight and expression. Participants will be guided through structured and unstructured art-based exercises, practical therapeutic aids, case discussion and be provided a reflective space to deepen clinical insight. The webinar is experiential and participatory, inviting clinicians to engage directly with art-making processes.

Develop Understanding of Emotional Dysregulation in Neurodivergent clients
Explore Art therapy processes to support nervous system regulation, including symbolic expression
Learn to adapt Art therapy processes and ensure practice is trauma informed, and person centred
Reflect upon own processes and experiences within your own practice to broaden understanding.

PRESENTER:

Sarah Falkenberg Hassan is an Art Psychotherapist and counsellor who has been working in the Northern Territory for the past three years. She graduated as an Art Psychotherapist ( Masters) in the United Kingdom in 2018 and has since gained experience across a range of settings, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), A Foster and Adoption agency and an Eating Disorder Unit. Sarah currently supports adults, children, and couples through the NDIS as well as private participants. She works with individuals with trauma backgrounds and those who are neurodivergent. Sarah is passionate about a person-centred approach, guided by the ethos of "meeting people where they are at," and tailoring support to each individuals unique needs and experiences.

When: Tuesday 12 May 2026
Time: 9.30am–12.30pm AEST
11.30am NZST,
7.30am AWST/HKT/SGT
Presenters location, 9am Darwin
Duration/CPD: 3 hours (with 10 minute break)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $80 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: All members (except subscription only)
Min/Max: 10/20 participants
Recorded session: No (privacy reasons)

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 Michelle 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.

Supervision Skills Refresher with Tania Blomfield (15 May 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Split over three sessions, this 6-hour training is designed for those who have been supervising for five years and need to complete a refresher course to meet ANZACATA's requirements to be an ANZACATA approved supervisor. We will review a range of different supervision models, explore different aspects of the supervisory relationship, including intersubjectivity and cultural safety, all with a focus on the importance of art making within the supervisory relationship.

This refresher course is for ANZACATA approved supervisors who have not done formal supervision training in the last 5 years.

PRESENTER:

Tania is a professional Arts Therapist, and holds a supplier contract with ACC for sensitive claims (sexual abuse). She graduated Whitecliffe in 2013, and has specialised in working with trauma for most of her career. Tania has a special interest in working with shame, and has also done extensive training in working with dissociation and eating disorders. She is the director of choose2change, and has approximately 80 therapists subcontracting for ACC work across NZ. Tania is an approved supervisor with ANZACATA.

When: Friday 15, Saturday 16 & Saturday 23 May 2026 (this is a three part workshop and Participants must attend all parts)
Time: 9am-11am AEST
11am-1pm NZST (presenter time)
7am-9am SGT/HKT
Duration/CPD: 3 x 2-hour webinars (6 hours total CPD)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $150 (+GST for Australian members)
Open to: ANZACATA approved supervisors who have not done formal supervision training in the last 5 years
Max: 20 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

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.

What can clowning teach us about developing a playful relationship in therapy with Drew Bird (17 May 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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 17 May 2026
Time: 11 am to 1pm AEST
(1 pm NZT, 9 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

Creative arts-based group supervision for Regional/Remote members with Hayley Arjona (06 Jun 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ANZACATA is offering subsidised online group supervision sessions with HAYLEY ARJONA for Regional/Remote practising members, who may find themselves unable to connect with other members or access supervision due to their isolation.

Hayley has experience working in the prison system, with those impacted by family violence, in disability, youth, and LGBTIQ service sectors. Her practice is relational, focused on affirming self-agency and social justice. Living in central Victoria, Hayley is familiar with the experience of therapists working remotely and within regional communities.

These group supervision sessions will offer participants the opportunity to develop skills in reflective, reflexive, and relational art therapy practice and connect with other therapists working regionally and remote. Sessions will include deep listening, employ diverse art materials and techniques, as well as response-based artmaking. These sessions aim to build confidence in art making for therapists, to increase empathetic attunement with Self, with clients, and with each other in the group.

There will be 10 fortnightly sessions (each session is 2hours), with a maximum of 8 participants. The total cost for participants is $600 (+GST for Aust members), paid upfront.

Note: This supervision group is primarily intended for members in regional or rural areas, and these members will be given priority. Metropolitan members who need to fulfil their required supervision hours for ANZACATA membership can email comms to be placed on the waiting list for this event.

Group supervision objectives

These sessions will provide a safe and nurturing space to:

Build a community of regionally/remotely located creative art therapists.
Support participants in identifying and planning their goals for group supervision, professional development and self-care.
Explore topics such as the challenges of setting up and sustaining practice in isolated locations, restricted access to peers and other supports, boundaries, andethics,

Presenter bio

Hayley works in private practice and community health settings with youth, adults, and families facing challenges such as relationship violence, discrimination and oppression. She has designed and delivered programs in the women's prison system, such as Expressive Post: Art Therapy by Postcard. Hayley has taught in the Master of Art Therapy course at La Trobe University, Victoria Australia, where she is also a current PhD candidate. She completed a Master of Fine Art from the Victorian College of the Arts and has kept a professional art practice spanning 30 years. Please see Hayley's website.

Dates (Saturdays fortnightly): June 6 & 20, July 4 & 18, Aug 1 & 15 & 29, Sep 12 & 26, Oct 10
Time: 10.00am – 12pm AEST (8.00am HKT/SGT/AWST, 12.00pm NZST)
Duration/CPD: 20 hours (10 supervision hours)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $600 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: Practising members (priority given to those located regionally or remotely)
Min/Max Registrations: 5/8
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

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

Supervising your Peers with Tania Blomfield (13 Jun 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Split over three sessions, this 6-hour training is designed for those considering stepping into the supervision space as a supervisor, and those wanting to engage in supervision of your peers under the ANZACATA supervision guidelines for peer supervision. It will cover what to expect in supervision, both as a supervisor and supervisee, the differences between line supervision and independent clinical supervision, how to get the best out of supervision as a supervisee, and how to decide you if you are ready to be a supervisor. It will also cover tips and trips for working in groups of colleagues, and the complexities of working with multi-disciplinary teams, and will equip you to run peer supervision groups as defined by the ANZACATA supervision guidelines.

Open to Professional members with a minimum of two years post graduate experience.

PRESENTER:

When: Saturday 13, Saturday 20 & Saturday 27 June 2026 (Participants must be able to attend all days)
Time: 9am-11am AEST
11am-1pm NZST (presenter time)
7am-9am SGT/HKT
Duration/CPD: 3 x 2-hour webinars (6 hours total CPD)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $150 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: Professional Members only (with a minimum of two years post graduate experience)
Max: 20 participants
Recorded session: No (privacy reasons)

Arts-based supervision skills training with Tilly Dawson (June start) (26 Jun 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

This training will contain theory, experiential learning, and opportunities for supervision practice, and can be used as either an arts-therapy based PD opportunity, or towards registration as an approved supervisor with ANZACATA.

It is best suited to experienced professional members, as it assumes a working clinical knowledge and experience in arts therapy.

The training will cover:

Definitions of supervision
A variety of models and approaches to supervision
Arts-based integration
Clinical practice
Ethics and Contracts

The course will be 40 hours over 5 sessions (including 15 hours of experiential practice) in keeping with ANZACATA policy requirements of Approved Supervisors. Participants will be expected to engage in supervision practice with other participants between the online sessions in order to complete the required number of hours to register as an ANZACATA supervisor.

Please note only Professional Members can be on the ANZACATA Approved Supervisor listing and completion of this training course does not constitute an application to become an ANZACATA Approved Supervisor.

PRESENTER BIO

Tilly Dawson (she/her) is a professional member, practicing art therapist, and ANZACATA-approved supervisor. Tilly specialises in clinical art therapy within healthcare and oncology settings. She is a passionate clinician with experience in providing individual and group sessions for patients and their families across the lifespan. Throughout her career, Tilly has supervised numerous students and has work as a casual Academic at La Trobe University within the Master of Art Therapy program. Her areas of interest and application in art therapy include medical art therapy, palliative care, trauma-informed practices, and supervision.

When: 26, 27, 28 June and 11, 12 July 2026
Time: 12–5 pm AEST (2–7 pm NZST, 10 am–3 pm AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 40 hours
Where: Zoom
Cost: $500 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: Experienced Professional Members
Min/Max: 8/16 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

Arts-based supervision skills training with Tilly Dawson (Oct start) (30 Oct 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

It is best suited to experienced professional members, as it assumes a working clinical knowledge and experience in arts therapy.

The training will cover:

Definitions of supervision
A variety of models and approaches to supervision
Arts-based integration
Clinical practice
Ethics and Contracts

PRESENTER BIO

When: 30, 31 October and 1, 14, 15 November 2026
Time: 12–5 pm AEDT (11am – 4 pm QLD, 2–7 pm NZDT, 9 am–2 pm AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 40 hours
Where: Zoom
Cost: $500 (+GST for Aust. members)
Open to: Experienced Professional Members
Min/Max: 8/16 participants
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)