Picturing Motherhood - Recently Updated Pages

The Cost

KellieMiles — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:43:51 CDT

The program runs for 2.5 hrs a week for six weeks each Monday from 10.30am to 1.00pm.

The price of each individual session is $36.00 for 2.5 hours (six weekly sessions is $216). This price includes:-

	- All art materials, (including paint, canvas, clay, watercolours & pastels)
	- Qualified Art Therapist
	- Spacious light-filled room with ocean views

** Please note this does not include childcare. You will need to provide you own childcare. We can assist with this if need be, please see the page on Carers for more information or contact me on

mob: 0422 509 559 to discuss options available.

FAQ's

KellieMiles — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:54:50 CDT

Who is Picturing Motherhood aimed at?
Whilst the program was originally designed for new mums, mothers with toddlers and older children have also joined and really enjoyed their experience. This is because the group focuses on the woman behind the mother, strengthening her own connection with herself and therefore her family. Something all mums benefit from!

What can I expect?
You can expect to laugh and share stories with other mums with similar interests and concerns.
You can expect to take part in some meditation, to relax and engage in art and lively conversation.
You can expect to learn more about relaxation, breathing and ways to maximise health and life-balance.
You can expect to reconnect with you, find stillness and explore who you are in safe, gentle ways.
You can expect to journal, to draw and paint and to use collage and clay.
You can expect to have some 'baby-free' time.
You can expect to meet other mums with similar interests and concerns.
You can expect to enjoy some much needed 'me time.'

Do I need to have any art training or experience?
Absolutely not! In fact, often the people who have no art experience find the process easier than someone who has been trained in the 'right' and 'wong' ways of working with the materials in a traditional context. These people have to 'unlearn' these rules in order to get the most out of the programme.

Is this an art class. Will you teach me how to do art?
No. This is not a class where you will learn 'how to draw' or 'how to paint' or 'how to use clay.' If you need assistance with mixing colours or ways to create a certain look or feel, I can assist you. However, this program is about you exploring and discovering your own creative expression as raw, honest and spontaneous as it needs to be.

Will I create something to hang on my wall?
This is a creative program using art to explore your journey and experiences of motherhood. As such, it is interested in the process of you creating the art itself and does not focus on the end result. You may end up with some pieces of art you will be pleased to hang up and show to friends, however, more importantly, whist creating the pieces of art, you will have had the opportunity for reflection about yourself and your baby, as well as some much needed renewal and relaxation!

If you have a question not covered here, please give me a call on mobile: 0422 509 559. I'd love to hear from you and answer anything else you'd like to know!

About the Facilitator

KellieMiles — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:53:35 CDT

Kellie Miles BA Comms, DipTAT

"My own personal and professional experiences have led me to create "Picturing Motherhood."

I am a trained and fully qualified art therapist (and mum!) who has a specialist interest in working with mothers and babies.

I have run a weekly art therapy group for young mothers or mothers-to-be, as part of the Glen Mervyn Young Women’s Health Program, a Red Cross initiative. My art therapy group was popular and I received very positive feedback about the programme from the carers and the young women who voluntarily chose to attend each week. This was a mutually rewarding experience and one I'd like to continue in the future.

My Professional Training:-
I have a Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy from the Ikon International Institute, offered through the College of Complementary Medicine, Sydney. This is a specialist course, nationally accredited by the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) which comes under the Federal Government's Higher Education Act, ensuring the qualification and course meets national standards. This specialist training equips me with the experience, skills and qualifications to work as an Art Therapist in private practice, Government Departments, schools, TAFE, colleges and hospitals across Australia.

I am also a member of SNTR the Society of Natural Therapists and Researchers. www.sntr.com.au

Personal reasons why I developed 'Picturing Motherhood?'

During 2004, whilst taking 12 months off to spend time following the birth of my new son, I soon realised a number of things:

Whilst loving the time I spent with my son, I craved some ‘me time.’ Looking around for an activity that could provide a little “time-out” - a kind of outlet to explore and reflect on the incredible changes to my life - I found none. Things were ‘good’, I didn’t need ‘therapy’ as such but I did want an opportunity to share my experiences or, at the very least, to do some art in a social environment where I could meet other like-minded mothers.

Many of the other women in my mothers' group craved similar opportunities.

Whilst I had 'free' time, it wasn't 'baby' free time where I could renew myself and spend a small amount of time recharging my batteries.

I found this precious snapshot - the first twelve months of my son's life - could be enhanced by exploring it creatively and that doing so brought me:

- clarity about how I wanted to parent,

- an opportunity to focus on what I wanted for myself and for my family,

- an opportunity to get back in touch with me,

- further insight into what I felt was important in life - such as work-life balance,

- a sense of calm in the whirlwind of being a first-time mum with a new baby,

- the opportunity to celebrate new and exciting milestones,

- the opportunity to resolve some confusion about physical changes to my body,

This creative exploration and reflection of motherhood was of enormous personal value to myself and to my baby. By drawing on my professional training as an Art Therapist, my intersest in working with mums and babies as well as my first-hand experience of this important life-stage, I created 'Picturing Motherhood.' This unique program now offers other mums the opportunity to creatively explore and reflect on their own challenges, wonders and changes to themselves, their babies and their lives!

Program Dates

KellieMiles — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:46:09 CDT

The next upcoming program will be Monday 12th May 2008.

We are taking bookings now for this date.

email: ArtTherapyAustralia@yahoo.com.au or call on mob: 0422 509 559

Home

KellieMiles — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:45:30 CDT

A six week creative program exploring motherhood,

the ups and the downs - through art.

This program is all about YOU. Enjoy 2.5 hours of creative time-out.

Through storytelling, journaling and a series of creative exercises, you’ll paint and draw, use collage and clay to gently, and at your own pace, get back in touch with you.

You do not need to be “good at Art!” Explore, create, share stories and laugh with other mums who have similar interests and concerns.

Picturing Motherhood offers creative ways to discover and draw on your inner resources to strengthen yourself and your connection with your baby or child.

No Art Experience Required!

We focus on the process of creativity rather than on the end result. Mums soon learn to relax and express themselves, reflecting on their journey of motherhood through art.

Under the gentle guidance of a trained art therapist and fellow mum, Kellie Miles, the group provides a calm, safe place to celebrate your baby or child. Picturing Motherhood offers you the chance to understand and deal with the many challenges often faced by mums:

- Sleep Deprivation
- Conflicting messages
- Changes to your physical body
- Changes to your life and identity

In a spacious room with ocean views, start to creatively explore the complex feelings that often accompany this important life stage. Discover creative ways to reconnect with self, find stillness in life and further explore who you are in safe, gentle ways.
Finish each session with relaxed discussion over a complimentary tea or coffee.

What to Bring

KellieMiles — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:30:45 CDT

Please wear comfortable clothes and bring an overshirt or t-shirt you can slip on when doing your art. You will be given a small journal as a gift, so remember to bring that along each week with a pen or pencil to make journal notes or sketches.

Testimonials

KellieMiles — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:06:46 CDT

Here is what some of the mums said about the "Picturing Motherhood group":-

"A wonderful journey of healing and centering within a very supportive circle of fellow mothers and teacher." - Nicole

" I really enjoyed having a few hours to myself to be creative and think about my feelings, while knowing that my baby was being cared for. Kelly is a fantastic teacher!!" - Avril

"Thank you for this wonderful time to look inside myself. The childcare was wonderful and I really enjoyed painting and using clay to express myself." - Mardi

"A fantastic time-out to be creative. I felt safe and free to express myself, thank you!!" - Kathy

" A relaxing way to get in touch with what is happening in my life" - Louise

"This has been a wonderful program anbd very supportive to me as a mother. I have grown through the six weeks to become much more in touch with my needs and my wisdom" - (chose not to include name)

Links

KellieMiles — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:29:34 CDT

Here are links to some great websites that I think offer wonderful resources for mums:-

www.creativemums.com.au

'Creative Mums' is dedicated to networking and supporting mums who have made a business out of their creative profession. To be able to turn their passion and talents into a successful business while being able to be around their children when needed and on their own conditions.

The site provides information on workshops, seminars & events.

Creative Mums likes to bring some FUN back in BEING a MUM!

'Creative Mums' organises Seminars & Workshops. 'Creative Mums Seminars' have been running successfully since the Manly Arts Festival 2004.

M O TH E R N U R T U R E

s a n i t y - s a n c t u a r y - s u p p o r t

www.mothernurture.net.au

MotherNurture, a place created especially for mums. MotherNurture has grown from a desire to provide a space for mothers to nurture themselves and each other. Let’s face it...motherhood is the most demanding job you’ll ever experience in your life, whether you’re a full-time, part-time, single, divorced, step, foster or other mum.

It’s as joyful as it is painful, as demanding as it is rewarding, and requires as much flexibility as it does control. Although every mum’s story is different, all mothers are natural givers. We typically leave their our needs ‘till last, rarely finding time alone to re-boost and relax.

Taking time away from the business and busyness of motherhood can have amazing positive effects for you, your family and your community.

Whatever YOUR own personal story, I’d like to invite you to share this space with myself and other mums from all walks of life.

The Venue

KellieMiles — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 08:37:02 CDT

Picturing Motherhood is held at the Beach Palace Hotel, not only one of Coogee's most iconic buildings but also a very community minded and family friendly venue. Already popular with Mothers Groups for offering, Pram and Stroller friendly access Great value kids meals Smoke free environment The Beach Bar hosts a mothers group every Friday from 10am.
	Beach Palace Hotel 169 Dolphin st Coogee Beach

The Art

KellieMiles — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 08:21:03 CDT

Our focus is on the PROCESS of creating art and not the end result.
You really don't need to be "good at art" to benefit from this creative program!

Here are a few examples of the type of art that is being created .....

The Picturing Motherhood Room

KellieMiles — Thu, 17 May 2007 07:59:55 CDT

On the second story of this iconic building, we work in a large, private room, high enough to enjoy the sea breeze but with easy ramp access for your prams and strollers - straight in from the Coogee promenade (look for the parked combi van!) and then turn left once you enter the building.

Photos

KellieMiles — Thu, 17 May 2007 07:53:21 CDT

Here are some photos of a recent group in creative action .........

Booking

KellieMiles — Thu, 17 May 2007 06:15:07 CDT

It is easy to enrol in the Picturing Motherhood program, simply follow these steps:

1. Check the Program Dates Page on this website, or phone Kellie on: 0422 509 559 to work out the most suitable program start date for you. (The program runs approximately every 6 weeks. )

2. Print off the Booking Form at the bottom of this page, complete and return to:

Kellie Miles, PO Box 2296, Clovelly, NSW 2031 with your payment. (You need to scroll right down the page until you come to the attachements section)

If you are unable to print off the form, then you can call me or email me: ArtTherapyAustralia@yahoo.com.au and I will post you one.

3. Once payment & enrolment form are received, I will send you a booking confirmation and receipt.

Thanks for booking!!

Contact

KellieMiles — Thu, 17 May 2007 06:08:02 CDT

Kellie Miles

Mobile: 0422 509 559

Email: ArtTherapyAustralia@yahoo.com.au

Address: PO Box 2296, Clovelly 2031

Parking

KellieMiles — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:31:45 CDT

There is plenty of parking around Coogee Beach with free parking for four hours at the end of Beach Street - close to the Palace Hotel's pram friendly, direct ramp entrance to the Picturing Motherhood room on level 2.