Psychology and Art

Hiya, my name is Michelle Genders. I’m a psychologist and artist. I’m currently based in the beautiful Blue Mountains of Australia.

I have the traits of ‘sensory processing sensitivity’ aka ‘highly sensitive person’, ‘high sensation seeking’ and have experienced post-traumatic growth.

I have completed at Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney.

Psychology

For now, appointments can be booked via ‘Blue Mountains Clinic‘. I see people in person as well as via Zoom or on the phone.

Michelle is a Registered Psychologist with 5 years clinical experience in private practice and non-government organisations.

Before that, she was employed as a psychology researcher for 12 years, and has also worked in employment services, disability services, child protection, tertiary education, and visual art.

Michelle has experience providing assessment and therapy for people with mild to severe mental health challenges such as anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, and stress-based disorders.

She also enjoys supporting life transitions (eg primary to high school, high school to the ‘adult world’, university to a profession, interpersonal relationships changes, relocating to a new area), stressful circumstances, self-understanding and self-improvement.

Michelle uses a range evidence-based and trauma sensitive treatments adapted the client’s needs including psychoeducation, person-centred counselling, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioural therapy CBT (including DBT, ACT & Solution focused informed activities).

She participates in regular supervision and professional development to further develop her therapeutic skills.

Michelle has a special interest in treatment adapted to the client’s stage of life and therefore enjoys working with people across the lifespan (ie adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults).

She is developing additional skills in experiential therapy, trauma treatments and the development of resilience.

Michelle is a registered Medicare, Work Cover and NDIS Provider, and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.

Art

I have been making art since … forever … but officially started with a community college course in ceramics in 2001. I’ve presented solo art exhibitions, curated group exhibitions, participated in group exhibitions and contributed to the Sydney art community with workshops and volunteering.

My regular and improvisational art practice currently includes drawing, painting, installation, ceramics, photography and experimenting with many different mediums in response to a creative prompt. I also have a keen interest in jewellery and sculpture as this was the area that I focused on at university.

I refer to myself as a ‘creative contemplative artist’ because I make art as a meditation, a contemplation, an act of kindness and a prayer. I make art as a way of investigating and understanding my own nature and the nature of the cosmos. And just for the fun and joy of it!

I currently work out of a studio in the creative co-working space ‘Nauti Studios’.

See more at: Creative Conversations

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