Carrie Skeen AThR
Registered Arts Therapist, ANZATA
MAAT (Clinical) (Hons), BA Design (Visual Communications)
I moved from Australia to New Zealand 12 years ago – arriving in Auckland to produce television commercials for the first America’s Cup. Television production was my day job for many years, providing art groups for children was my passion. The two had worked well together until I questioned where my career was going and discovered that there was a name for the benefits I had been witnessing for many years when children create – it was Art Therapy.
I trained at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, completing my clinical training at the Eating Disorders Services, Greenlane Hopsital and the Child, Youth and Family Permanency Team. During this time I also co-founded The MARCO Trust (2005) which evolved into Arts Therapy NZ Trust in 2009.
I specialise in working with children and young people using an integrated approach to art therapy; applying different approaches in different situations with different clients. My sympathetic understanding of children and youth and their worlds, places emphasis on the process of creating and using the imagination. My passion for youth has seen me develop ARTiculate: an arts therapy programme specifically for those aged 12 – 24.
My personal point of view places emphasis on the art-making process and a clients ability to make meaning of their creations. The process of art-making encourages a person to tap into personal experiences and express inner issues and concerns, in clear and concise ways that may not be accessible with words. In the therapy sessions, both the client and therapist are working with each other and the art works created.
I have spent time working with both individuals and groups from Korowai Manaaki (Youth Justice North), CYFS, Positive Women, Youthline, Spectrum Care, numerous primary schools and a variety of corporate companies.
Working with Children and Young People
Art therapy is a process that restores the connection to our inner self, enabling people to know themselves better through making art. Art making gives images from our psyche shape and form, allowing support of the ego, development of a sense of identity and promoting maturity in general.
Working as an art therapist with children and adolescents provides insight into their needs, dreams, personalities, and insecurities. Through art, they are free to move, to think and to fantasize and, to freely struggle to order and control. Art itself offers a contained, safe framework by being a boundary between “real” and “not real”. Creating imagery helps young people to maintain a dialogue about themselves without feeling that they will reveal too much.
With children and young people the therapy focuses on transforming feelings of fear, unhappiness, anxiety or other, into honest expressions in order to assist change or resolve issues. The creative process of art making promotes maturation and order, increases sensitivity and understanding of yourself and others, encourages risk-taking and experimentation, teaches new skills, creates a sense of self-assurance and enhances a person’s overall quality of life.
Sessions
Individual sessions can be booked and are held in the Arts Therapy (NZ) Trust therapy rooms.
Sessions are one hour long.
Cost
$80 – $100 per session
Contact
T (649) 623 6208
