Cielle Jansen-van Vuuren
An exploratory mixed-methods case study of a closed online art and eco therapy small group for mental health professionals for stress management and increased self-care and well-being
I grew up in beautiful Zimbabwe before moving to Brisbane with my partner and son. I have always loved creativity, however, studying fine art enhanced my experience of the healing qualities of artmaking. This facilitated my exploration of loss, belonging and memory cultivated from my experiences of migration. I engaged in art therapy studies to create a safe space to share with others the wonder, insight and alchemy of creative expression. I am also passionate about the potential for transnational connectivity and community engagement through therapeutic art making with groups. Learning to settle into a new environment reignited my passion and concern for nature. This passion, a heritage from family camping trips in the Zimbabwean bush, has been amplified by my experiences of the amazing beaches and rainforests in Australia.
This research project interweaves my passion for creativity, nature, interconnectedness and well-being. The idea emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as the potential for connectivity through online platforms was highlighted as well as varying individual and community experiences and stressors within this context. This project explores how the combination of art therapy plus ecotherapy (nature-based therapy) in a 5-week online program could facilitate stress management and self-care and well-being for mental health professionals. Whilst data analysis is not complete, preliminary findings indicate that all participants consistently experienced reduced stress after sessions, there were mixed findings for professional self-care practices and some participants rated higher well-being. Thank you to the Australian Critical Incident Stress Association (ACISA) who granted me a scholarship in support of this project.
My artworks highlight key aspects of my experiences as a student- researcher and online group facilitator. This includes initial sorting through research ideas, through to hopes for the group as well as processing my fears around running the group and meeting deadlines. I also explore symbols and concepts that arose during the group sessions that resonated with my research journey. I utilised a combination of media in most of the artworks, including the use of natural elements such as paperbark or natural colours and processes such as eco dyeing. In this way I co-created with nature, portraying the synergistic relationship between art making and natural processes. This balance between experiencing natural elements and creating art was a crucial aspect of the online group. A common thread in most artworks is the use of gold, which for me speaks of the uniqueness and value of each participant.