A world where everyone has the opportunity to build resilience and heal through collaboration and creativity, improving one’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and overcoming challenging life circumstances.
Our Vision
Compassion - We approach every individual with compassion, creating a safe and supportive space where their unique experiences, feelings, and healing journey are honoured with genuine empathy and care.
Collaboration - We value collaboration, recognising that people and their families are the experts in their own lives and working together with them as well as their care teams are important to co-create meaningful and personalised care.
Acceptance - We embrace acceptance by honouring each person’s unique identity, experiences, and journey without judgment, fostering an environment of inclusivity and belonging.
Respect - We uphold respect by valuing each person’s dignity, choices, and lived experiences, ensuring their voice is heard and their autonomy honoured in every step of their care.
Empowerment - We are committed to empowerment by using a strength based approach that fosters confidence and resilience, enabling individuals and their families to take an active role in their mental health and overall wellbeing journey.
Our Values
Michelle Joseph
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Registered Creative Arts Therapist
Michelle Joseph is the director of Art Room Therapy, and a warm Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) and registered Creative Arts Therapist (ANZACATA). She is dedicated to promoting emotional, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing through holistic, person-centred creative therapy. She works with both children and adults, particularly those navigating trauma, neurodiversity, and life transitions.
From a young age, Michelle has been passionate about helping and mentoring others, and exploring the connection between mental health and art. She brings over 25 years of artistic expression together with 10 years of professional experience across social work, mental health, art therapy, and child safety.
Drawing on her unique background across social work and mental health, Michelle offers trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming counselling, art therapy, carer and child relationship support, and child safety consultations for individuals and families navigating adversity and change. She believes that everyone is the expert in their own life, and is passionate about creating safe, creative spaces where people can be playful, curious, reflect, and explore their inner and external resources, supporting them to move toward their full potential, build healthy relationships, and become the person or carer they envision themselves to be.
Known for her leadership and advocacy, Michelle is a tireless champion of safeguarding initiatives that amplify the voices of the most vulnerable. Her volunteer work includes supporting refugee children and individuals with disabilities, and she recently served as coordinator of the Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) Geelong Family Violence Network. These experiences have deepened her understanding of human development and evidence-based mental health practice, as well as the intricate interplay between societal issues and holistic wellbeing.
Qualifications
Master of Social Work
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy
Certificate of Play Therapy
For more information about Michelle and the work she offers, visit;
Michelle currently lives on the Surf Coast where she enjoys exploring nature, ocean swimming and surfing, creating art and hiking. Her multicultural heritage and ongoing journey travelling around the world has seen her to develop the ability to communicate and connect with people from all walks of life with acceptance, respect and empathy in a culturally sensitive way. With Michelle’s deep empathy for others and understanding of the impact of trauma alongside her creative and spiritual insight, she will take you on a journey that empowers your strengths, spirit, and resources to shine.
Michelle is committed to learning and sharing her most optimal self with her clients by engaging with regular clinical supervision and ongoing Professional Development in the mental health and creative therapies space. She has memberships with the Australian New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Contact
Michelle Joseph
Email michelle@artroomtherapy.com.au
Free 15 minute chat available Monday - Saturday