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 

1995 –– Current

1995 – 2002

1977 – 2007

1970 — Current