Art Therapy Program - Navigating relationships and the holiday season

This 6-week art therapy program offers a supportive space for individuals with eating disorders to gently explore the challenges and emotions that can come up during the holiday season. Through creative expression, the program focuses on navigating the holiday season, making space for self-compassion, and strengthening relationships with self and others. Together, participants will use art to reflect, connect, and find grounding during a time that can feel overwhelming.

No art experience is needed—just a willingness to express yourself, show up, share, and create in a way that feels comfortable for you.

Each session will be facilitated by Alex, a qualified art therapist (see bio below), and co-facilitated by an EDV lived experience staff member.

This workshop will run online via Zoom. Please see below for a list of suggested art resources to bring along to the sessions.

Our weekly activities are:

Week 1: Setting intention and building safety
Week 2: Holiday triggers and my needs
Week 3: Relationships and boundaries
Week 4: Identity beyond the eating disorder
Week 5: Joy, play and glimmers
Week 6: Letting go and making space

When are the sessions for the workshop run?

This online art therapy program will run weekly from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Session 1: Thursday 6 November

Session 2: Thursday 13 November

Session 3: Thursday 20 November

Session 4: Thursday 27 November

Session 5: Thursday 4 December

Session 6: Wednesday 10 December

Who can join this workshop?

Participants need to be 18 years of age or over, currently experiencing an eating disorder and be connected with a GP. Participants must read and acknowledge the engagement agreement when registering.

Do I have to attend all six weeks of the workshop? 

We encourage you to attend all six weeks in order to build a sense of connection and community with other participants.

What materials do I need to bring?

Please bring along any drawing materials you have or prefer to use. These could include:

A4 and A3 paper
Pastels
Watercolours and collage materials (including glue, scissors, magazines or old books and newspapers for making a collage)
Any other mixed media (eg, glitter, tape, etc).

If you need additional support to feel comfortable in the group, please email livedexperienceprogram@eatingdisorders.org.au . You can use any type of art materials or creative tools that work best for you, and we’re happy to adapt the space or activities to meet your needs—just let us know how we can support you. If you require any materials, you are welcome to come into EDV and borrow some from our office. Please email so we can organise this for you.

About our facilitator

Alexandra (Alex), she/her - Art Therapist

Alex is a compassionate, person-centred art therapist with a special focus on supporting individuals in their eating disorder recovery journey. Alongside professional training, Alex brings lived experience of recovery, which deepens their commitment to creating a safe, non-judgemental space for others. Through creative expression and curiosity, Alex helps people reconnect with their inner strengths, values and self-compassion. Their approach weaves together trauma-informed care, Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems to honour each person’s unique story and pace of healing.

Cost

Free to join!

How do I join online?

You will receive an email with the information on how to join two hours before the event. Please check your email, your junk email and any other email addresses that you might use. If you do not have an email then please contact us. The information you provide to Eating Disorders Victoria is for the purpose of contacting you about this event.

Contact

For further information, please contact our Lived Experience Program team, via e-mail at livedexperienceprogram@eatingdisorders.org.au

If this workshop is sold out please join the waitlist to be notified of any cancellations. To join the waitlist, please press 'Tickets' and select 'Join Waitlist'.

If you require any support or information prior to the event, please contact the EDV Hub on 1300 550 236 or contact the Lived Experience Program team via the email above. 