Hello, I’m Pip Rose, founder of Heart’s Light Therapies.
Sensorimotor Art Therapist and trauma-informed and attachment-focused therapist
I am a Sensorimotor art therapist specialising in Clay Field Therapy and Guided Drawing. As well, I have certification in Expressive Therapies, Child-led Play Therapy, and training in Parent-Child art therapy.
With over 20 years of experience in Primary Education and almost 10 years working therapeutically with children and families in the community sector, I am passionate about helping people find their strengths and connect with their own healing abilities through creative expression.
As a trauma-informed and attachment-focused therapist, I believe in the transformative power of healthy relationships and I recognise the essential role of the family system for any individual in therapy. This is why, while I typically work one-to-one with children, I will also actively include and support parents or care-givers at some level within the therapeutic process.
This could mean regular phone calls between sessions, separate parent sessions, or, when appropriate, joint sessions with both parent and child together to support and strengthen attachment ties.
When you arrive at Heart’s Light Studio, you will find a warm, welcoming space, where connection and creating a felt sense of safety are the foundation of our work together.
Professional experience:
Sensorimotor Art and Expressive Therapist
Counsellor and Group Work Facilitator
Child and Family Mental Heath Worker – extensive experience in the not for profit sector, working with children, families, educators, services and communities
Classroom teacher K-6, focusing on creative arts and learning support
From Education to Art Therapy
While working across various roles in primary education during my 20 years as a teacher, I became aware of the growing number of children whose developmental and emotional needs could not be met in a regular classroom setting. I was keen to find an effective way to better support these young people.
Once I commenced art therapy training and completed my first certificate, I knew I had found a way. I went on to attain a Diploma of Sensorimotor Art Therapy, specialising in Clay Field Therapy. Alongside this I completed a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice.
Since then, through my work in the community sector, I have taken Clay Field and other expressive therapies into many of my local schools and preschools, as ways for children to safely address trauma and restore wellbeing.
These methods produce results that are welcomed by parents/care-givers and teachers, when children who present as angry or anxious, hyperactive, sad or shut-down, can find new ways to feel calm, safe and engaged.
Students themselves thrive on the one-to one therapeutic connection. Some children will enjoy identifying their strengths and skills, increasing self esteem through a variety of creative art and craft activities. Others will find satisfaction and new feelings of relaxation and regulation, through playing and experimenting with sensory materials.
How I can help
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Child Therapy
Using creative tools such as Clay Field Therapy®, Play and Expressive therapies and Parent -Child Art Therapy can help your child process difficult emotions or address challenging events
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Adult Therapy
Sensorimotor Art Therapy and Expressive Therapies are just as effective with adults as they are with children.
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Group and Community Workshops
Staff Development, Team Building and therapeutic group workshops for children and young people.
Publications
My chapter of case studies, I Love the Clay and the Clay Loves Me, is included in Cornelia Elbrecht’s ground-breaking 2019 book, Healing Trauma in Children with Clay Field Therapy. This has been described as “the first book of its kind on treating trauma in children through creative play with clay, written by a leading voice in the field of art therapy.”
In 2021 and 2022 I participated in the filming of the first Clay Field Therapy with Children online training course, based on this book.
The 6 month course, delivered by the Institute of Sensorimotor Art Therapy, launched in February 2023, and now runs twice each year. I maintain an ongoing involvement, along with several other Clay Field therapists whose case studies are used in the training videos, supporting students in the monthly study groups and online forum.
Qualifications and Training
Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy:
2020 Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing, online training
2016 Certificate in Art Therapy Approaches with Traumatized Children
2014 Certificate of Haptic Diagnosis, Work at the Clay Field
2013 Diploma of Sensorimotor Art Therapy
2012 Certificate of Initiatic Art Therapy
University qualifications
2015 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice (UNE)
1989 Dip Teach, B Ed (NRCAE now SCU)
Additional Trainings
2024 Parent-Child Dyad Art Therapy - Lucille Proulx
2023 Theraplay Level 1. Compass Trainings
2023 Rhythm to Recovery training
2023 Trauma Informed Care and Practice. We Al-li trainings
2022 Certificate of Somatic Attachment Focused Expressive Therapies - 140 hours over 6 months with Monique Pangari, School of Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy
2021 Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Parenting. Compass Trainings
2020 Dadirri: Ancient Aboriginal Mindfulness Traditions. We Al-li trainings
2018/19 Parent Trail 1 and 2 Facilitation, 2x2-day trainings. Kyabra trainings
2017 Circle of Security Facilitation – 4-day CoS International training
2018 Introduction to Child Led Play Therapy
2017 Introduction to Play Therapy
2016 Attachment Based Family Interventions. Secure Base Solutions
2015 Beyond Developmental Trauma; Effective Work with Complex Families
2014 Somatic Experiencing – Certificate in Trauma Healing for Kids.
In addition to the above qualifications, I hold all current Working with Children and Police checks, and serve as a mandatory reporter.