Ruka Creative Therapy

15/11/2025

"For those weighed down by trauma too painful to articulate, or by addiction so consuming it silences everything else, creative expression becomes not just therapeutic, but lifesaving."

Read one social worker's endorsement of the utility and value of art therapy:

https://www.riverdalepress.com/stories/a-lifeline-for-new-yorkers-in-crisis,205500

13/11/2025

Interested in art therapy but don't live in Rotorua?

I actually travel to a few different towns. As long as there's a space available to use, we can definitely arrange for art therapy to be accessible for you or your child.

02/11/2025

It's Monday again 🗓️

Art therapy is about creating safety, not re-living pain. You’re always in control of what you share and how deeply you explore. We begin with grounding, regulation, and building trust, so your body and mind feel supported before any deeper work happens. As a trained and clinically registered art therapist, I’m here to hold that space with care — guiding the process safely and gently as healing unfolds through colour, texture, and creative expression.

28/10/2025

Just because you graduate, doesn't mean you ever stop learning....

Last month I had the privilege of attending a 2-day Sandplay Therapy workshop in the Waikato. I love learning about this approach the therapy, understanding the psyche, and expressing our inner worlds 🌏

26/10/2025

Are you more of a "keep- me-as-far-away-from-this-mess-as-possible" or a "let-me-get-right-in-there" type of person?

Different art materials and the way we use them can have different benefits. As art therapists, we work within a framework that considers which materials and modalities might benefit you, but if you're uncomfortable using certain things or you have negative sensory responses, we can always accommodate.

Whether you prefer to keep your creating contained and with a bit of distance, or to have a fully immersive experience with the materials, there's no 'wrong' way of engaging with the arts.

20/10/2025

An important myth to bust today:

Going to therapy doesn’t mean something is ‘wrong’ with you - it means you’re human. Ideas like this are often left over from a time when mental health was misunderstood and often stigmatized. Today, therapy is about growth, self-awareness, and support. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from taking care of your inner world.

18/10/2025

12/10/2025

Coming off the back of Mental Health Awareness Week: A fabulous visual from Centre of Excellence

10/10/2025

Art therapy offers a gentle, creative way to explore what words can’t always express.

Whether you’re facing stress, big emotions, or simply wanting more balance, it’s a space to breathe, create, and reconnect with yourself.

04/10/2025

"But I'm not creative!"

I hear this a lot, but the truth is that imagination, artistry, and expression can be found in lots of little moments throughout each day.

Just because you've never picked up a paintbrush or sculpted clay, doesn't mean you can't engage in the creative process.

Use the tic-tac-toe board below to see how many acts of creativity you've done recently! Can you get 3 in a row? ✨