Art psychotherapy for mental health and wellbeing
About Sally
Sally is a qualified and experienced Art Psychotherapist (AThR), professionally registered with ANZACATA (Australia New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapist Association). She graduated from Western Sydney University with Distinction and was awarded the Dean’s Medal in her Master of Art Therapy.
Sally has been working as an Art Therapist at USpace, St Vincent Private Hospital’s young adult mental health facility located in Darlinghurst Sydney, since 2023. She continues to work with USpace conducting both on-ward and outpatient art therapy groups for young adults aged 16-30, as part of a multi-disciplinary care team. These groups are grounded in evidence-based art therapy practice and incorporate principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She also has broader experience facilitating art therapy for mental health.
Sally takes a values-based and strengths-based approach to therapy, with the purpose of assisting clients to live their most authentic and meaningful life.
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY
The art therapy process is a powerful tool for self-understanding, healing and growth, as both a stand-alone therapy and as an additional therapy alongside ‘talking’ therapy. Some of life's experiences have profound and long lasting effects on both our mind and our body. The sensory experience of art therapy provides an opportunity to tap into those aspects of our experience when we are not able to find words, supported by the therapeutic relationship.
Sally conducts both individual and small group therapy in her St Leonards studio. She facilitates and supports a wide variety of expressive techniques, inviting her clients to creatively explore matters arising in their lives. Media are not limited to traditional art materials, to provide significant opportunities to step outside of everyday experience. In her own art practice, Sally enjoys working with an array of traditional and non-traditional media, including natural foraged materials, textiles and found objects .
clients
Sally's practice welcomes clients aged 16 years and over who would like to explore creative arts as a way to self-knowledge and wellbeing. Some common goals clients bring to art therapy include mindfulness and stress-reduction, self-expression, understanding and managing challenging emotions, communication and relationship skills, and navigating life changes and stages.
Sally's experience working with young adults means she is well-attuned to the particular challenges experienced in this life stage, including identity formation, managing peer relationships, and coping with the stressors of senior school and university.
Sally's practice is welcoming and inclusive of all cultures, backgrounds, genders, sexualities and abilities. The building and studio space are wheelchair accessible. She also holds a current NSW Police Check and Working With Children Check (WWCC).
Location
Conveniently located on Sydney’s lower North Shore, Sally’s studio is a private, welcoming and safe space designed to meet the diverse needs of clients. See the slideshow below for a peek inside the studio space.
The studio is a short walk from both Crow’s Nest Metro station and St Leonards train station and is also serviced by Pacific Highway buses. Street parking (metered) is available outside the building for those travelling by car. 2 hours free parking is available in the nearby Hume Street council carpark.
If you are travelling with your loved one to an appointment, please note there is no waiting area in the studio space. There is, however, a café on the Ground Floor, open until 3pm daily, where you can comfortably spend time and a variety of other spaces and shops are only a short walk away.
What Sally's clients say about Art Therapy
"It was helpful in providing a therapeutic space to discuss feelings and experiences with people and giving me more inspiration to create art that is reflective and intentional" - Anonymous, 2025
"I like exploring emotions and feelings through art as it substitutes for unhelpful coping mechanisms" - Anonymous, 2025
"Time to reflect and create each week was super valuable" - Anonymous, 2025
"I have found the last eight weeks of art therapy really rewarding. I love the social element. I love the guided but spontaneous creativity. I have loved having something routine" - Anonymous, 2025
"Exceeded expectations. The group dynamic was lovely, and the art making was grounding and reflective and a bit challenging in the best way" - Anonymous, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be artistic TO benefit from art therapy?
No. You don’t need to be an artist to attend or benefit from art therapy.
Art therapy is about the process of artmaking – choosing and using materials - as well as the artwork itself. You will be supported to start this process, whether making marks on paper, assembling collage materials, exploring forms with clay, or another media of your choice.
Do I need a referral for art therapy?
No referral is required.
You can complete the ENQUIRIES form on this page to start a conversation about your interest in art therapy. Alternately you can email Sally at reception@sallyholmesarttherapy.com. Once an enquiry is received, Sally will contact you within 48 hours.
If you work with other therapists and health practitioners, you can let us know in our initial discussion and we will consider your other regular engagements in forming a plan for our approach to art therapy.
Are my art therapy sessions and artworks kept confidential?
Yes. Your confidentiality is respected and upheld at each stage of our engagement. All documentation and artworks are securely stored onsite and electronically. At the end of our time working together, you can choose if you would like to take your artwork with you.
In group art therapy, participants are required to commit to the confidentiality of all artworks and discussions that occur. For this reason, mobile phones and other devices are not permitted to be used during a group therapy session.
Please note that, as mandatory reporters, we are bound by law to disclose if you or someone else is in danger. A notification will not be made without your prior knowledge.
How long do I attend art therapy? Do I need to attend every week?
Everyone’s requirements are as individual as they are, and we respect your uniqueness by formulating an approach that will address your needs.
After an initial discussion about your needs, we will work with you over the first couple of art therapy sessions to formulate a plan that works for you.
What ART THERAPY groups do you offer?
New groups are formed for senior school students following the NSW school term dates. These groups offer an opportunity to decompress in the company of others who are also experiencing the demands of senior study and to spend time mindfully creating for mental wellbeing. Groups are capped at 8 participants. Upcoming groups are published on this website and on Instagram @sallyholmesarttherapy prior to the start of school term. Expressions of interest can be sent using the ENQUIRIES form below.
Art therapy groups are also formed when we are able to identify a number of clients with similar needs, and where we believe group therapy will be beneficial. After initial art therapy sessions take place, we may recommend a group therapy approach to you, either alongside or in place of individual art therapy.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
No. At this time we do not usually offer telehealth appointments.
If you are experiencing circumstances that make it difficult to attend art therapy in person, please let us know using the ENQUIRIES form on this page and we will contact you to discuss what we can offer.
What is the cost of attending art therapy?
Fees for individual and group art therapy sessions vary. All anticipated fees will be clearly disclosed and discussed with you before you make any commitment to attend.
Fees are payable within 7 days following your session.
Is art therapy covered by Medicare?
No. Medicare rebate is not available for either individual or group art therapy.
Are you a registered NDIS provider?
No. We are not currently registered as a NDIS provider.
Am I able to claim art therapy on my private health insurance?
No. At this time we are not registered with any private health funds.