Our mission, our story, our philosophy
our missionThe heart of who we are
Beyond Valleys Art Therapy exists to inspire, empower, and nourish individuals and communities through the power of creative expression that connects us all.
We’re here because we’ve been hurt before: by ourselves, by strangers, by people we love, and by the very systems that promised to meet us but failed to see us. We’re here for those exhausted and those who feel deeply. We’re here for the wonderers and dreamers still searching for a freedom to call their own.
Grounded in empathy and led by our humanity, we seek to provide an inclusive, neuro-affirming space where you can feel creatively seen and understood – no matter where you are in life’s journey. Our mission tenderly embraces the infinite pathways through which art therapy works to reduce suffering, while enabling joy, love, compassion, and hope for futures brighter.
our storyMeet Amanda (AThR)
Creative Arts Therapist / Founder and Owner of Beyond Valleys Art Therapy / Ceramic Artist at Everyday Clay
BA Hons (Psychology), M Therapeutic Arts Practice (Creative Arts Therapy), Board-Certified with ANZACATA (Reg. 77324552)
Beyond Valleys Art Therapy is the culmination of Amanda’s decade-long search for a meaningful career that would stitch together her passions for psychology, wellbeing, and creativity. Before starting her practice, she completed an Honours degree in Psychology (The University of Melbourne) and held professional roles in both academic and applied mental health.
In academia, Amanda conducted research into wellbeing science and positive education in schools (Melbourne Graduate School of Education), contributing to two peer-reviewed publications. On the frontlines, she gained extensive experience across diverse settings: crisis support (Lifeline), forensic mental health (Thomas Embling Hospital), rehabilitation (Austin Health, Royal Talbot Centre), NDIS service provision (Candella), dementia care (Caladenia), and youth mental health (headspace). During this time, she saw how words often fell short of capturing her clients’ inner worlds – and how creative processes offered another way to connect and heal.
Amanda is a passionate arts therapist working skillfully with clients across the lifespan. She draws on her Southeast Asian heritage and international upbringing to bring nuanced insight into experiences of difference, disconnection, and the human need to belong. Amanda champions creativity as a human right, advocating for art therapy as an equal alternative to mainstream supports in Australia that is worthy of being a primary treatment modality. Her work demonstrates art therapy’s effectiveness not only for children, but for adults too. She is her clients' ally on their journey towards empowerment and a life more fulfilled.
Amanda’s artworks are featured throughout this website. Outside the therapy room, she is a ceramic artist who owns and operates her pottery studio, Everyday Clay.
our philosophyValues in action
We believe in working with a range of expressive modalities, such as visual arts, poetry, music, drama, and dance, believing in their rhythms to move us into a world of meaning and possibility.
We are guided by the core values:
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We listen, not just with an open mind, but an open heart. This helps us to remain attuned to the possibilities of our clients’ lived experiencing and what they might need. Our attuned presence deepens our capacity to respond intuitively and insightfully in ways that uniquely speak to each client, and each present moment.
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We empower our clients by working together to nurture their sense of resilience, agency, and inner strength. We facilitate art-making opportunities that balance the safety of structure with the spontaneity of freedom, supporting clients to make choices and find their authentic voices.
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We show up with tenderness, care, and in the spirit of togetherness. We bring our humanity to this work and our sensitivity in responding to experiences of hurt, pain and suffering.
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We are committed to walking the talk and making decisions from a place of moral integrity. We go all in to support our clients, and know only to make promises that we can keep.
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Quick explanations and fast strategies seem to hold promise, but they often provide band-aid fixes that mask the real root of the problem. As believers in sustainable wellbeing, we do not use expert theories or formulaic models to explain away the felt experiences of our clients.
Instead, we draw upon a lived experiencing approach that is collaborative and whole-person centred. We support clients in creating a framework of understanding that considers the unique context and stories of their lives. Within this framework, strategies are given time and space to emerge organically and signal their personal relevance for a more tailored and lasting approach to wellbeing. Solutions are more effective when they are designed by you, for you, rather than prescribed by ‘experts’ as general, one-size-fits-all approaches.
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No artistic ability or creative experience is necessary to participate in our services. Anyone can benefit from art therapy, and we continuously strive to create safe, inclusive and non-judgemental experiences where all can feel welcome and valued. We stand in firm solidarity with First Nations, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and other marginalised communities.
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We are committed to continuous learning and professional development to meet the evolving needs of our clients. We stay up-to-date with the latest research, techniques and best practices in the field, attend training opportunities, and seek ongoing supervision. As part of our duty of care to clients, we regularly engage in our own reflexive arts practice, dedicating personal time before and after every session to ground, reflect, and integrate our learnings.