a thousand turns
Art therapy with Anna Kortschak
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy delivered by a professionally qualified art therapist who integrates creative processes such as drawing, painting, collage, clay, and other art-based activities with therapeutic conversation. At a thousand turns our approach to creative arts therapy is person-centred and trauma-informed.
As an art therapist, Anna invites clients to explore individual creative expression and aesthetic engagement as a powerful means to foster personal growth, explore identity and facilitate connection. Anna is empathetic and caring and prioritises developing strong durable relationships based on mutual respect. She brings an intersectional awareness to people’s experiences and challenges, seeking to develop deep and nuanced understandings of the myriad ways individuals strive towards fulfilling lives and well-being.
Anna has special interests and experience in the following areas:
existential enquiry
trauma, PTSD, c-PTSD
neurodiversity
grief and loss
addiction(s)
Therapy for indivuals
Individual art therapy sessions tailored to your needs.
Nature-based art therapy
Engage creatively and connect with your environment.
Therapeutic group work
Explore community, identity and relationships.
Anna Kortschak
Anna qualified as an art therapist (AThR) by completing a Master of Art Therapy at La Trobe University. Anna holds professional registration with ANZACATA, the peak professional body that represents creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.
Anna also holds a Master of International and Community Development (Deakin University) and has over 15 years of experience in delivering art-based community development projects in community settings in Australia and internationally.
Anna completed a B.A. Visual Arts at Sydney College of the Arts and has a diverse creative practice that has spanned jewellery and metal-smithing, performing arts, photography, writing and others expressive modalities. Her work has appeared in various forums in Australia and internationally.
FAQ
Where is a thousand turns?
Anna practices across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Sessions may take place in an art therapy studio (currently either in West Brunswick, Preston or Heidelberg West), in your own home, or in different community settings depending on preferences and needs.
Please get in touch to discuss your needs.
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Art therapy is a form of therapy delivered by a professionally qualified art therapist that uses creative processes such as drawing, painting, collage, clay, and other art-based activities alongside therapeutic conversation. You don’t need to have any previous art experience. The focus is on the process of creating and exploring, rather than producing a “good” artwork.
Art therapists do not interpret artworks. Art therapy isn't about analysing your artwork as though it has a fixed or hidden meaning. You will be invited to explore what the image, colours, materials, or creative process mean to you. You remain the expert on your own experience.
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Yes. Art therapy is a recognised psychotherapeutic approach with a growing body of research supporting its use for a range of mental health and wellbeing concerns. Research suggests that art therapy can help people express and process emotions, reduce distress, develop coping strategies, and support psychological wellbeing.
The evidence varies depending on the population, concern, and type of intervention, and research in some areas is still developing. Art therapy is often used alongside other therapeutic approaches and is tailored to each person's individual needs.
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No, absolutely not. Art therapy is not an art class and there is no expectation that you have existing art skills. The artwork produced does not need to look a certain way.
In art therapy creative processes are simply a way to explore thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas. In sessions, the focus is on relational experience and material processes and these may not even result in a finished artwork!
You won’t be expected to arrive with an idea or know what to make. You will be offered various creative prompts or activities and you can choose what feels right for you in the moment.
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Yes. As with other professional therapy services, art therapy sessions are confidential, subject to the professional, legal, and safety requirements of ANZACATA, the peak professional body that represents creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.
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Sessions are generally between 50 - 110 minutes.
There is no set number of sessions that works for everyone. Some people attend for a short period around a particular concern, while others benefit from longer-term support.
The number of sessions will be negotiated on an individual basis to best suit your needs and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
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Your artwork belongs to you and you decide what you would like to do with it. Artwork is confidential and private and will not be shared without your consent.