​Art Therapists

Our Art Therapy  have the qualifications and real-world experience needed to help your child overcome any challenges they may face.

Joanna Sykes Art Therapist

Joanne Sykes

Art Psychotherapist ​(NZ reg.)

Joanne is an Art Psychotherapist who trained and worked in Scotland before moving to New Zealand in 2023. She has specialised in working in schools and community settings providing therapeutic support for children and their families.


Prior to becoming an art therapist Joanne has many years experience in both creative expression and care work, through her work as an intellectual disability nurse and her own creative art practice. She has found these two worlds of care and creativity are an intrinsic part to our individual well being and are often entwined into our sense of belonging and connection with the world around us.


Joanne uses all strands of her knowledge and experience to inform her therapeutic practice and strives to provide holistic, client led support. She primarily works in a non directive way and offers client's the opportunity to explore their emotions and express themselves through creativity. Joanne believes that the relationship between client and therapist is the essence of the therapeutic process, she works in a non judgemental and empathetic way, creating a supportive and trusting environment for the client to feel open to inner reflections at their own pace.


Joanne has experience with a range of challenges including:

  • Family Trauma
  • Anxiety issues
  • Impulse control
  • Parent separation/family difficulties
  • Sensory issues
  • ASD
  • ADHD
  • Behavioural problems
  • Special needs
  • Social skills
  • Self-esteem
  • Children affected by substance abuse

 

Qualifications:

MSc Art Psychotherapy, BN Learning Disability Nursing, BA(Hons) Tapestry.

ANZACATA member BAAT overseas member.


Availability:

Joanne is available for appointments on Saturdays.

Waitlist Applies

Virginia Frankovich

Angie Richardson

Clinical Creative Art Therapist

​(NZ reg.)

Angie brings warmth, creativity, and professionalism to her work with children, families, and groups. Angie is known for her empathy, compassion, and ability to quickly build rapport. Angie creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel understood and supported; her approach is flexible and collaborative, blending playfulness with clear boundaries to foster trust and growth.


Angie is an exceptionally experienced Creative Arts Therapist and educator, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her practice. She holds two First-Class Honours Master’s Degrees in Arts Therapy and is also a qualified Speech and Drama teacher. Her career spans teaching primary school children in both New Zealand and the UK, giving her deep insight into child development and communication.


Angie’s experience is extensive and her therapeutic interest includes:

  • Social skills development
  • Self esteem and confidence
  • Anxiety
  • Family therapy
  • Emotional regulation
  • Creative expression and playFULLness
  • Trauma including Attachment trauma
  • Grief, loss and change
  • Building resilience and robustness
  • Expanding and growing communication
  • Holistic Wellbeing
  • Issues related to bullying


A passionate advocate for professional development and community connection, Angie co-founded the ANZACATA Auckland Regional Group, fostering collaboration among Creative Arts Therapists across Tāmaki Makaurau. Her expertise has been recognised internationally through publications, podcasts, webinars, and professional platforms, positioning her as a respected voice in the field.


Qualification:

Registered Creative Arts Therapist; Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical), First Class Honours;

Master of Arts in Arts Therapy, First Class Honours; Registered Teacher; Bachelor of Education; Diploma of Teaching (Primary)


Availability:

Angie's sessions are held on Mondays. Appointments available from 19 January


Jordan Monaghan

Jordan Monaghan

Clinical Creative Art Therapist

​(NZ reg.)

As a Creative Arts Therapist and Sandtray Practitioner, Jordan has worked alongside a variety of neuro-typical and neuro-divergent children, teenagers, and young adult. She has experience working in both community mental health spaces and schools.

 

Jordan uses Art Therapy to help support those facing a variety of challenges including: 

· Self - expression and communication

· Health and Well-being

· Anxiety

· Grief and loss

· Trauma

· ASD

· ADHD

 

Jordan has a gentle nature and is highly valued for her bubbly and genuine disposition. Compassion and playfulness sit at the core of her creative and therapeutic practice. She offers a person-centred and trauma informed approach, led by creativity and curiosity. Jordan offers a non-judgmental presence as she helps her clients explore their inner and outer worlding through the creative arts and within the sandtray. 

 

Jordan's gentle and compassionate nature, combined with her growing training and knowledge, in Creative Art Therapies and Sandtray Therapy , make her an exceptional therapist who is deeply committed to helping her clients heal and grow.

 

Jordan has more than nine years of rich work experience in different social, cultural and creative environments. She has completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy with first class honours. Jordan is a registered member of ANZACATA (The Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Art Therapies Association).


Qualification:

MACAT(First class honours) PGDipCAT, BVA


Availability:

Jordan sessions are held on Thursdays and Fridays.

Waitlist applies.

Sasha Iyengar

Sasha Iyengar

 Art Therapist (NZ reg.)

 Sasha is an Art Therapist who began working creatively with children and adolescents in 2011, through her role as an art and design educator in schools. As an Art Therapist, Sasha has worked in a variety of settings in Australia and New Zealand, including special developmental schools, community mental health settings, palliative care, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals and women’s health centers.

 

Sasha is passionate about using creativity to work towards health and wellbeing. She maintains an inclusive, person-centered practice, adopting a range of therapeutic interventions to best suit the needs of her clients. Sasha meets young people where they are at, with empathy and a holistic approach.

 

Sasha can help support your whanau with:

  • Communication and self-expression
  • Behavioural challenges
  • Learning difficulties
  • Resilience building
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Trauma and grief
  • Building healthy relationships
  • ASD
  • ADHD
  • Self-esteem and body image
  • Wellbeing – promoting strategies for self-care


Qaulification:

MA ATh, GradDipPsyc, BArtEd, AThR


Availability:

Sasha is available during school hours on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Returning from Maternity leave in April!!!

Virginia Frankovich

Virginia "Ginny" Frankovich

Clinical Creative Art Therapist

​(NZ reg.)

Virginia has supported both neurodivergent and neurotypical children and adolescents, guiding them through a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges. Her work is deeply rooted in her passion for the dramatic and visual arts and she has experience in both community mental health settings and both mainstream and special schools.


Virginia supports individuals with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Behavioural challenges
  • Body image concerns
  • Communication and self-expression
  • Confidence and self-esteem
  • Emotional regulation
  • Grief and loss
  • Social connection
  • Wellbeing and resilience tools


A nurturing, compassionate and attentive therapist, Virginia is dedicated to supporting children’s wellbeing by creating a non-judgemental and inclusive space. Grounded in a strengths-based, client-centred approach, she works alongside young people to invite exploration and self expression with the support of the creative arts.

 

Virginia is a Clinical Creative Arts Therapist with over 15 years of experience as a multidisciplinary artist, working both nationally and internationally. For more than a decade, she has supported young people in harnessing creativity to foster self-expression and resilience. Following her undergraduate studies majoring in Psychology and Drama, Virginia earned her Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy, graduating with first-class honours. She is a professionally registered member of ANZACATA (The Australian, New Zealand, and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association).


Qualification:

MACAT (First class honours)


Availability:

Virginia's sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings.

Ginny's book is currently closed, she is unable to take on any new clients.

Julia Hanna

Julia Hanna

Art Therapist ​(NZ reg.)

Julia has been practicing Art Therapy with children and adolescents since 2016.


She has led art therapy groups for children with anxiety and has worked extensively with children on the autistic spectrum through DTNZ (Dance Therapy New Zealand). Her previous experience includes work for Glowkids Conductive Education and Carlson School for Cerebral Palsy.


Currently, Julia works in private practice using a range of creative modalities, with a key focus on visual art and sand tray therapy. Julia uses art to establish a rapport with your child and then works closely with you to best meet their needs. Her sessions are predominantly child-lead which gives children power of their own process in a fun, safe and dynamic space. 


Julia has experience with a range of challenges including:

  • Anxiety issues
  • Impulse control
  • Parent separation/family difficulties
  • Sensory issues
  • ASD
  • ADHD
  • Behavioural problems
  • Special needs
  • Social skills
  • Self-esteem


​Julia is a registered Arts Therapist with ANZACATA (The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association).


Availability:

Julia is available for appointments on Monday mornings.

Julia's book is currently closed, she is unable to take on any new clients.