Panel discussion

Join our panellists for a discussion around the past, present, and future of art therapy. The discussion will be led and hosted by Louise Leotta, current Art Therapy Lead Lecturer at UQ.

Our panel

Dr Joanne Kelly

Mrs Amanda Hall

Jane O'Sullivan

Adam Lo OAM

Dr Joanne Kelly

Degrees: Masters in Mental Health (Art Therapy) 2009 and PhD (Education) 2010-2015 at Southern Cross University

Current position and relevant past roles:

• Senior Lecturer (Clinical Placement Lead), Allied Health and Chiropractic, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, UK
• Lecturer at the University of South Wales (2019 – to date)
• Private practice: Creo Atman Consultancy (since 2019)
• Acting EO (2018-2019) and President of ANZACATA (2014-2018)
• Student Counsellor at a Catholic High School in NSW (2010-2018)
• Casual Lecturer for Southern Cross University and University of Queensland

Bio:

In 2019, Jo returned to the UK after 23 years of living and working in Australia. Before that, she travelled, lived and worked in the UK, India, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh and the US. Originally a teacher, she trained as an art psychotherapist at the University of Queensland in Brisbane 2006-09, and then completed her PhD at Southern Cross University, NSW while working as a school counsellor. While training and subsequently, she was involved in ANZATA eventually becoming its president in 2014. It was during her tenure 2014-2018 that the professional association embarked on the most significant change in its history when it combined with ACATA and became a company limited by guarantee. ANZACATA is the leading professional association for the creative arts therapies across the Asia Pacific region. Jo currently works as a senior lecturer at the University of South Wales in the UK and has a private clinical practice. She is a published author and has presented widely at national and international conferences on art therapy. She is an active member of BAAT.

Mrs Amanda Hall

Degrees: Bachelor of Social Work (UQ - 2004) and Master of Mental Health (Art Therapy) 2014

Current position and relevant past roles:

Lecturer, Course Coordinator and Research Supervisor within the Master of Mental Health (UQ) program and for the past 10 years private practitioner/owner of Folded Heart Studio in the Brisbane focused on clinical supervision and mental health. Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Art Therapist in various organisations supporting children and families in the context of mental health, trauma, child welfare and neurodivergence. 

Bio:

• Lecturer, Course Coordinator and Research Supervisor within the Master of Mental Health program.
  
• Bachelor of Social Work (UQ) - Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
• Master of Mental Health (UQ) - Registered Art Therapist AThR and Supervisor
• Graduate Certificate of Autism Studies
• Doctoral Candidate in Therapeutic Arts Practice - current

Interests: Arts based therapy and research, creative writing and fictional storytelling in mental health practice, health care ethics, clinical supervision, lived experience in health professionals

Publications: Masters dissertation exploring layered painting as a tool for self-supervision for practitioners working in clinical and child protection roles.

Published as: Brown, A. & Wilson, M. (2023). Working with layers: A heuristic study utilising single canvas art-making to illuminate personal responses of the therapist. JoCAT, 18(1). 

Jane O'Sullivan

DIP. T; B. ED; M.A (Expressive therapies) Cambridge USA; Life member NETA; AthR .

Jane originally trained as a music and drama teacher working at Somerville House.

Jane retrained as an Expressive therapist completing her MA in Boston, USA and upon her return worked in the multi-disciplinary team in the Child and Youth Mental Health Service at the Mater Childrens Hospital Brisbane for 13 years working with young people and their families.

In 2004, Jane co-founded the art therapy strand in the Master in Mental Health Program in the School of Medicine University of QLD. JAne has continued her involvement throughout its development as a lecturer and in 2012 coordinated the program for ten years. Jane now supervises students completing their research courses in the program.

Jane has recently co-authored papers in the Australian Journal of Creative Art therapies JoCAT online, October 2022 and the International journal The Arts in Psychotherapy, June 2023

Jane has a keen interest in group programs and has worked with various client populations within her private practice including adult oncology, parents living with mental illness, adults at risk of homelessness and children from refugee backgrounds. Jane recently finished working at a school in Logan QLD within a trauma informed practice facilitating individual therapy, group and class programs and is currently the wellbeing officer at the Samford Valley Steiner school.

Adam Lo OAM

Degrees: Bachelor of Occupational therapy (UQ, 2002), Grad.Dip Mental Health (QUT, 2007), Grad.Cert Grief, Loss and Trauma Counselling (Flinders, 2010), PhD Candidate (UQ, Expected 2024).

Current positions:

• Lecturer (Griffith University) – Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Griffith Health
• Senior Mental Health Clinician (Disaster Recovery Flood Team – Metro South Health)
• Board Director/WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapist) Delegate – Occupational Therapy Australia
• Secretary – Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Regional Group
• Festival Director – Positive Mindset Creative Arts Festival

Relevant past roles:

Advanced Mental Health Clinician (Child and Youth Mental Health Services – Metro South Health)

Bio: 

Adam Lo is an Occupational Therapist and Mental Health Clinician working in the Disaster Recovery Mental Health Team in Metro South Health. He is also a Lecturer at Griffith University, and previously worked extensively in Child and Youth Mental Health for 21 years. Adam was involved in various activities such as partnership development, community liaison and education, as well as co-designing (with consumers and carers) and leading initiatives on the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental illness and early intervention programs and approaches. He is also a Master Instructor in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid.

A current Board Director of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), Adam previously volunteered several years as a Divisional Councillor in the Queensland Division until early 2015.  He continues to be a strong advocate for the profession of occupational therapy in various roles and is currently the OTA Delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the Secretary of the Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Regional Group.

Adam is also the creator and Festival Director of the Positive Mindset Creative Arts Festival, which promotes mental wellbeing and reduces the stigma of mental illness and addiction issues in young people through music, visual art, drama, dance and media art, as well as a member of the Arts Health Network Queensland.

Outside of his professional life, Adam is an active community volunteer for over twenty-five years in various capacities. He was also in a number of committees and boards of professional and community organisations such as Radio 4EB FM, Ausdance Queensland and multicultural community groups.  Adam is also a reservist officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, with a keen interest in aviation, leadership and performance theories, social justice,  military history and the mental wellbeing of service personnel and veterans.

When time permits, Adam is an arts health practitioner who expresses himself through a variety of art mediums such as music, illustrations, paintings and zine publishing. He also likes to assist other artists, particularly young people, in developing their potential and furthering their opportunities in the creative arts. He hopes to maximise the benefits of the creative art occupation to promote wellbeing in individuals and communities.