Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Mental Health Therapies in Ballarat
Established in 2015 by Monica Finch, Ballarat Art Therapies provides trauma-informed, client-centred creative arts therapies, counselling, and professional supervision. Our practice integrates art therapy, sand tray therapy, and sensorimotor approaches to support individuals, groups, and organisations across Ballarat and beyond via telehealth. With over two decades of experience in mental health, trauma recovery, and education, we prioritise holistic healing through connection, compassion, and creative expression.Our services cater to diverse needs including trauma, mental health challenges, and NDIS support, while fostering personal growth through evidence-based, strengths-focused methodologies. We expanded to a group practice in 2020 before returning to sole practitioner status in 2025, maintaining a commitment to accessible, tailored therapeutic solutions.
Services
Art Therapy
Sand Tray Therapy
Counselling
Sensorimotor Art Therapy
NDIS Support
Supervision
Workshops
Critical Incident Debriefing
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of trauma-informed therapeutic expertise
- Our client-centred approach tailors services to individual needs
- NDIS-registered provider with verified credentials
- Telehealth services available Australia-wide
- Approved ANZACATA clinical supervisors
Associations and certifications
- Australian New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Services
Art Therapy
Art Therapy combines hands-on art making with psychological support to improve mental wellbeing. Our trauma-informed practitioners guide clients through creative processes that foster self-expression, emotional regulation, and personal growth. No artistic experience is required, making this accessible to all ages and backgrounds.
Sand Tray Therapy
This expressive therapy uses sand and miniatures to create symbolic worlds that facilitate deeper self-awareness. Clients explore internal issues through tactile engagement, gaining new perspectives on relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions without requiring verbal articulation.
Counselling
Our person-centred counselling addresses mental health challenges through evidence-based frameworks including CBT and mindfulness. Therapists support clients navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, with specialisation in critical incident debriefing for individuals and workplaces.
Sensorimotor Art Therapy
This bottom-up approach focuses on bodily sensations to process trauma. Techniques like clay field therapy and guided drawing help clients regulate emotions and resolve developmental challenges through kinesthetic engagement rather than verbal storytelling.
NDIS Support
Registered NDIS provider offering Improved Daily Living Skills support. Services include art therapy, counselling, and sensorimotor therapies for participants under agency, self, or plan-managed funding, with tailored group programs available.
People
Monica Finch
Director, Art Therapist & Supervisor
Monica Finch has 20+ years' experience in trauma recovery and mental health. She holds a Master of Art Therapy, is ANZACATA-registered, and specialises in trauma-informed care. Her practice integrates spiritual focus with clinical expertise.
Questions
What is art therapy and how does it work?
Art therapy combines creative processes with psychological theory to improve mental wellbeing. No artistic skill is needed – the focus is on self-expression and emotional exploration through materials like paint, clay, and collage.
Do you accept NDIS participants?
Yes, we're a registered NDIS provider offering Improved Daily Living Skills support under line items 15_610_0128_1_3 and 15_056_0128_1_3 for art therapy and counselling services.
What payment options are available?
Payment is required at booking for group programs. Individual sessions accept NDIS funding types including agency, self, and plan-managed arrangements. Contact us for specific payment arrangements.
Are telehealth appointments available?
Yes, we offer online therapy sessions via Zoom for clients Australia-wide. These maintain the same therapeutic quality as in-person sessions with added accessibility.
What qualifications do your therapists hold?
Our director holds a Master of Art Therapy, ANZACATA registration, and multiple certifications in trauma therapies. All practitioners maintain current police checks and professional accreditations.
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Reviews (1)
Tegan Neville
Feb 24, 2021
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A caring nurturing service where I feel valued, heard and supported. Thank you. Highly recommend for all ranges of Art Therapy, Counselling and Supervision support!
