Sylvia Marris Art Therapy & Counselling

28/01/2026

A new year begins, and I’m thinking about what intentions I want to set for myself. What do I need to give attention to in order to live the life I want.
I approach this quite playfully, with drawing, painting and collage, allowing thoughts and ideas to flow free and easy and allowing time to digest the possibilities before moving forward.

How are you marking the start of a new year?
I’m happy to help you facilitate a plan for living your best life balancing needs and values so that you are well equipped for life’s inevitable challenges. DM with any questions.

10/10/2025

It’s world mental health day. There are a few strategies I use for maintaining good mental health.
My top one is I do something I love everyday, I usually choose something creative like art journaling. Recently I have been working on a small lino print.

These activities flood my body with good chemicals, my brain releases the "happy chemicals" dopamine (for pleasure and reward), endorphins (for pain relief and euphoria), serotonin (for mood stability and satisfaction), and oxytocin (for bonding and social connection). These neurotransmitters create feelings of pleasure, happiness, motivation, and well-being.
You can see more of my art on facebook at

Sylvia's Art Studio - Facebook
How do you take care of your mental health?

09/09/2025

Many families will be relieved this morning to hear that after a thorough review, art and music therapy have been recognised as legitimate and beneficial therapies for NDIS participants.

Music and art therapists will be able to bill NDIS participants at the same rate as counsellors, after a review found the therapies could be effective in the right circumstances.

05/08/2025

I have always used art making for enjoyment and relaxation. I am able to experience a sense of “flow”. This is a state of total immersion in the moment, everything else disappears, there is no judgement, fear or criticism. It’s a very nice place to be. I have been experimenting weaving with wire .

24/06/2025

Art Therapy is confirmed as an ongoing NDIS therapy support while we wait for the outcome of the review undertaken by Prof Duckett. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

06/05/2025

This report outlines the evidence for the effectiveness of art therapy as a support for disability, mental health and wellbeing. It has been given to Dr Duckett, who is undertaking a review of art therapy as a support for people in NDIS.

ANZACATA Submission to the NDIS Review

ANZACATA has responded to the questions asked by Professor Stephen Duckett in the NDIA Review of Art and Music Therapy. You can see the summary of our response here https://bit.ly/ANZACATA-response.

We have also provided Professor Duckett with 9 substantial appendices which support our summary document. If you are keen to see the evidence in more detail, you can find it here https://bit.ly/ANZACATA-appendix5.

In addition, we have compiled 95 stories from participants and their families about how greatly they value Art Therapy as part of the NDIS. It has very moving stories of how creative arts therapies have changed lives. It is available free to download in our shop.

https://anzacata.org/shop

12/12/2024

I often work collaboratively with other mental health providers and I am grateful for the Australian Association of Psychologists and their advocacy and support of art therapy 👏🏻

AAPi has collaborated to support our colleagues in keeping music and art therapy available to NDIS participants.

09/12/2024

Art Therapy can provide communication supports when we find using words difficult.

Arts therapy offers a safe space for individuals to explore and express emotions in ways words cannot always capture. One arts therapy participant shares a powerful reflection on their journey through arts therapy:

"As an artist I relate to colour better than words. I suffer from schizophrenia, and I found it difficult to communicate verbally, so I’ve come to trust my art therapist and have made progress relating to colour emotionally.

I still have a long way to go but colour is instinctual for me and it's a matter of developing that reaction, which will strengthen my feelings and improve my quality of life."

05/12/2024

Families are dismayed and angry that has removed access and availability of creative therapies to participants in the NDIS. He has not consulted, heard or valued their voices.
Please consider signing and sharing this petition.

Creative and Experiential Therapies Belong in the NDIS

27/11/2024

This information outlines clearly the serious outcomes of losing art therapy as a support in the NDIS, and the clear breakdown of communication regarding this decision.

Very concerned for people on the NDIS who rely on as their primary means of therapeutic support. Cuts to funding from the will have devastating consequences for them. See the detailed media release here
https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2024/11/arts-therapists-concerned-for-vulnerable-clients-as-ndis-funding-changes-without-consultation/78482/


https://anzacata.org

07/10/2024

11/09/2024

If you are a parent of a neurodivergent learner and you don’t know Sue Larkey, go take a look, a super advocate, educator and champion of our neurodiverse community.

COMMENT '265' - Change ✨ = Stress 😥..for many Neurodiverse learners.
Transition can mean a new school year, change of schools, teachers, students, learning environment & more.
👉 In this weeks podcast I discuss how to manage some of the biggest hurdles including:
✅ When to Start Transition
✅ How Long should you Transition
✅ Must Do for successful Transition
✅ Ideal to Do as part of Planning
✅ Extra Ideas to support Transition
✅ What do to if Transition wasn’t Successful
✅ Plus information on Va**ng, Catching the Bus and more