Molly Stephenson (she/her)
Molly is a registered Clinical Art Therapist (AThR), a professional member of ANZACATA, and a passionate practicing visual artist based in Melbourne/Naarm. She has completed both her Masters in Art Therapy and a Bachelors in Fine Arts (Honours), with a passion for sculptural installation and art theory. She utilises both art and play-based modalities to promote self-expression, improve quality of life, regulate emotions, and nourish her clients’ artist identity. Molly is a certified “Learn to Play” practitioner, utilizing evidence-based measuring tools to conduct assessments for early development through play. She helps children develop playability skills, which are crucial for their growth and well-being.
Molly’s therapeutic approach is strengths-based and neurodiverse-affirming, placing the psycho-social model of health at the forefront of her work as a mental health professional. She believes that self-expression is a human right and that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to both art and expression. This mentality guides her practice as both a therapist and an individual. Molly aims to illuminate her clients’ pre-existing strengths through Art Therapy, recognizing their identity beyond their diagnosis.
Approch to therapy
Molly’s therapeutic approach is client-led, meaning she believes the client is the expert of their own lived experience. She understands the importance of establishing a strong therapeutic relationship between client and therapist. Molly has experience working with older adults, adults, children, and their families within community palliative care, oncology, and aged care. She facilitates both group and individual sessions to achieve therapeutic outcomes, including group art therapy programs for those who are bereaved and caregivers experiencing burnout, fatigue, and anticipatory grief.
Molly incorporates various frameworks and modalities into her practice, such as family and relational therapy, attachment theory, positive psychology, art as therapy, existential art therapy, and eco-art therapy.
Outside of her clinical practice, Molly enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, creating art, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and close friends.