
Hello My Name is

“I help people discover confidence by inviting them into a creative space where they can uncover their strengths, build connection and express themselves fearlessly”


Dr Despina Weston
Founder of I.V.O.E
Art Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Educator, Prof. Supervisor DCA (Grief & Loss), MA (ATh), Post GraD Dip (Counselling), Dip Teach, Assoc Design. Cert Mental Health Practitioner and certified Prof. Supervisor, Cert Play Therapy.


The Toodyay Herald, Page 3.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Despina is a nationally trained psychotherapist, counsellor, art therapist and clinical supervisor. As the practice manager of Inner Visions Outer Expressions, she has clinical training in psychotherapy, counselling art therapy, art and teaching. She works with children and adults, individually, with couples, families and groups. She has extensive experience working in psychiatric, educational and community settings. As a relational therapist Despina provides a holistic and creative approach aimed at enhancing a person's well-being and potential.
Despina’s particular expertise is in the area of grief and loss, relationship and couple counselling, and group work with thirty years of combined experience in art therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, education and the arts. Her therapeutic method is founded on the premise that everyone has the capacity to create and a host of images to express.
Working creatively can give meaning to personal experiences. The images created can be viewed as agents for therapeutic change. Despina brings together the arts and health encouraging a healthier and more constructive life style.
EDUCATION
Edith Cowan University Mt Lawley
DCA (Doctor of Contemporary Arts, Art Therapy) — Group programme development and case studies on Grief/Ambiguous Loss
MA (ATh) — Thesis: Programme development: Women sexually abused as children
Dip Teaching: Specialist art/drama teacher; English
Curtin University
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Health Care
Associateship in Art & Design
Institute of Human Development
Diploma in Counselling Skills
Advanced Training:
Family Therapy; Couples Counselling; Grief and Loss
Trauma Counselling; Children in Grief — William St Family Therapy Centre
Certified Professional Supervisor
Certificate in Play Therapy
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Individual, couple, family and group therapist/counsellor with 15 years of experience in private practice, hospital and community settings
- Art psychotherapist for 7 years at Niola Private Psychiatric Hospital
- Programme development and delivery
- Individual and couples psychotherapy. Speciality: Grief, loss, childhood issues
- Arts therapies with individuals and groups with 25 years experience in private practice, education and community settings
- Developed and delivered a range of workshops for:
Troubled youth
Young people with drug and alcohol issues
People with a mental illness
Youth with disabilities
Children with a range of disabilities including trauma and abuse
Groups for Women from CALD backgrounds
Creative Expression Groups for women
- Collaborated in delivering programmes with other agencies – Women’s Health Care; Catholic Migrant Centre; Hills Community Support Group, Carers WA; Cancer Council; Share and Care; Avivo
- Collaborated with Mundaring Arts Centre to showcase the work of clients and students
- Presented cases and workshops to other health professionals
- Presented at conferences
- Collaborated with other mental health practitioners in the care and management of clients
- Liaised with doctors and psychiatrists for patient referrals
- Served on the national committee of arts therapy (ANZATA)
- Served on the founding board for the Mundaring Arts Centre
- Provides professional supervision to counsellors (current)
CRONOLOGY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Private Practice
Mental health, relationships, grief/loss
Adults and juveniles
Community Collaborative Programmes
1995 –– Current
Niola Private Psychiatric Hospital
Art psychotherapist and counsellor
1995 – 2002
Education Department
Specialist art teacher, relief teacher
1977 – 2007
Practicing Artist
1970 — Current
