Sonya (they/them)
Art Therapist · Squiggles Art Therapy
Hi, I’m Sonya (they/them). I’m a registered art therapist with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), and I have rich experience working alongside children and their families. I also work with parents, tweens and teens, and adults living with neurodivergence and disability. My art therapy experience and my background in children’s nursing give me a solid foundation for helping people across our diverse communities.
Art therapy offers a creative way to explore feelings, build self-awareness and ease anxiety. I’m looking forward to helping children, young people, families and adults communicate, explore and process difficult emotions through creative expression.
Sonya is a registered creative arts therapist (AThR) and sees parents, children, young people, families and adults, in person at our North Lakes rooms. Sessions can be funded privately or through the NDIS for self-managed and plan-managed participants. You can book online without a referral.
Who I work with
I enjoy working primarily with parents and babies, children, adolescents and their families, people living with a disability, and those supported by the NDIS (plan-managed or self-managed). I also warmly welcome First Nations families and LGBTQIA+ community members, honouring culture, identity, and lived experience.
How I work
An art therapy session with me is a wholesome creative process for exploring and expressing feelings that are difficult to talk about. In our sessions we focus on discovering new ways to make sense of experiences, and I help support a unique journey towards recovery and improved wellbeing.
A session with me looks and feels different from an art class. Together, we use a combination of art materials to explore feelings and emotions in a colourful, supportive environment. Each person is invited to move at their own pace, follow their curiosity, and create in ways that feel safe for them. You don’t need any artistic skills or experience. My role is to walk alongside you or your child, offering encouragement, structure, and a calm presence as you discover the benefits of art therapy.
About me
Growing up in rural Queensland, I spent much of my childhood immersed in the natural world, letting my imagination create an adventurous journey. A move to the city marked the beginning of my nursing career, where I specialised in caring for children in hospital. I realised a dream in art therapy and found myself back at university. This choice was driven by a desire to bring creativity into my professional life and to support children and families in new, meaningful ways.
Outside of work
My love of the outdoors continues to shape my life. I enjoy exploring natural spaces, sometimes with family or friends, other times with my energetic dog, letting curiosity guide the journey. Weekends are times for relaxing in the garden with my nature journal, reading a book, being creative or playing board games with friends.
Qualifications and Registrations
- Master of Mental Health (Art Psychotherapy), University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Certificate of Counselling
- ANZACATA Professional Member — Registered Creative Arts Therapist (AThR)
- AHPRA Nursing Registration
- Blue Card (Working with Children Check)
- NDIS Worker Screening
How to see me
I practise independently as Squiggles Art Therapy, working from Reravel’s rooms in North Lakes.
If you think we might be a fit, I’d love to hear from you.
You can read more about art therapy at Reravel, and find the full details on our fees page.